To Be or Not to Be Referred for Autism Assessment?

[N0ChildrenYet]

One of my drs has been encouraging me to be referred for autism assessment for a while now after he referred me to a psychologist on his team for quick mini ‘assessment’. She said she couldn’t diagnose me as not autism specialist but her assessment suggested autism and she’d recommend a referral. The issue is that however lovely the psychologist was, I found it so scary and intrusive going into the past and talking about myself that I’m terrified of having another much more full on assessment about myself and am quite happy knowing I might just be a bit cooky. (There’s nothing wrong with my past and I had a lovely childhood, I just found it scary for some reason and the idea of talking with someone else and going even more in depth freaks me out).

He said that it’s obviously up to me, but it’s quite important to have the diagnosis on my notes so that drs know that I’m autistic and don’t think I might have something else. Which is also making me worry that what else could anyone think I could possibly have? Yes, I’m anxious and yes, I get depressed - as far as mental health goes. The only other thing I can think is that I have quite a lot of physical health problems and now I’m worried that he’s suggesting that if Drs don’t know I’m autistic, they could think I’m malingering or something? Or maybe his comment meant absolutely nothing at all.

He said it’s very important for work (which isn’t an issue for me because I have the most wonderful supportive work ever and they already know I struggle with health problems and have been absolutely amazing). I don’t want to have yet ANOTHER health problem on my NHs record. Although I know it’s not a health problem. It’s a way of looking at the world and how I was born.

I don’t really know what to do as I’ve been quite happy not being diagnosed but have been thinking more about seeing if there’s any service out there that actually offers any help for coping with life? The things that come with autism, like not being able to see people or cope with doing things and shutting myself in my room?

WDID?

Autistic women frequently get misdiagnosed with Borderline personality disorder (BPD) or Emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD). I have ADHD and bipolar and was misdiagnosed with EUPD once by a new psychiatrist who didn’t bother reading my history when I was in a bipolar mixed episode and had lost insight into my condition. It took a year, a lot of evidence and a second assessment to get it retracted. The risk to ND women is real and once you have that diagnosis the stigma among medical professionals is awful and it was only because I already had a correct diagnosis from my previous psychiatrist that I was able to get rid of the wrong diagnosis. They generally won’t help/believe you, will treat you differently, and will blame every issue you have on the EUPD that you don’t have. Reading between the lines, I would suggest that’s what the doctor is worried about.

I really get why you’re hesitant, those assessments can feel way too personal and intense, even if nothing’s “wrong” with your past. I’m autistic and felt the same at first, so I started with a low-pressure step: I did a free online initial screening on Autism Detect. I'll mention the link below for you, so that if you're interested you can have a look at it.

autismdetect.co.uk

It actually helped me explore things at my own pace before deciding anything. Getting diagnosed later just gave me clarity and made my struggles make sense, but it’s completely your choice, you don’t have to rush into anything unless you feel ready.

Ahh I see - thank you for that. I’m so sorry you were misdiagnosed during a bipolar episode 😞 and then had to go through trying to get EUPD retracted as well 😞 I don’t know what specialists think they are doing when they don’t read notes. Don’t diagnoses come right up at the top somewhere easily ready to read? I’m sorry that happened to you!

Thank you

I run an assessment service for women only for this very reason. There aren’t enough trained professionals who understand the female presentation. Also the assessment process is brutal by many providers and we make sure we don’t traumatise clients in the assessment process!

i really hope in 20 years our service won’t be special or needed, and the field will be more knowledgeable and understanding with women and girls.

You're welcome. Hope it helped!