ADULT AUTISM/ ADVICE PLEASE

[NorthMumOfTwo]

Hi guys looking for general advice, I've just made an appointment with my GP regarding potential adult autism. I am 30 years old with 7 siblings 4 of which have autism. Ever since I was young I have struggled with socialising and making friends, I get majorly overwhelmed so I am a loner. I hate loud noises & easily get interrupted if im midway through a task and find it hard to regain my focus and restart what i was doing & also find it a major distraction if there is background noise while having a conversation. I am a stickler for routine and time keeping and if it's not kept I freak out start crying and have a breakdown. I can only wear certain textures of clothing and have to wear things loose fit and comfy, I cannot start conversations or maintain eye contact and I cannot ring places or do anything spontainous everything must be planned. I rely heavily on others to socialise on my behalf. Whatever is going on with me is exhausting and lately i feel drained with my moods, I had a melt down the other day as the hoovers at the car cleaning place were not working so I was freaking out majorly as it pushed my schedule back by 15 minutes. I have lots of other issues but to long to list. Any advice please or things I can prepare ahead of my GP appointment. Thank you

Do an online test and bring the results with you and/or write down ALL the things you struggle with on a bad day.

Good luck.

I'm mid 30s waiting for me GP to refer me. I started the process off in November last year.

I did an online test it says I've scored 24 and a high possibility of autism. And I've just wrote a list of my issues down to discuss too. And I am hoping it doesn't take years like some people. Can I ask when you seen your GP did she think your symptoms were signs of autism? Because I'm now 30 I just hope I get listened to and my GP not pass it off as something else xx

I went to my GP initially and didn't have a good experience. She told me I couldn't possibly be autistic because I had a job, a partner, and my clothes didn't itch.

I was always having difficulties in work, with every single job until I finally went self employed and now life is so much better.
Yes I have a partner. And no, my clothes don't itch because I purposefully buy clothes that don't.

She said at first she wouldn't send a referral for a diagnosis so I informed her that she has to due to the Autism Act 2009. I'll attach a link (scroll down to adult diagnosis section).

She did eventually send it but I was waiting years so I did go private eventually and saw a really great psychologist who is highly experienced in Autism (especially autism in females). And was officially diagnosed.

Some GP's can be great and understanding, and send the referral no problem, but others can be very difficult and actually don't know much about Autism at all. I hope it all goes well.
I agree with taking a list with you of all the traits etc you experience.

livingautism.com/autism-rights/

Thank you so much for that. I agree with you keeping jobs is an issue of mine, maybe a few months tops and I get bored and leave etc. Fingers crossed my GP listens and doesn't think I'm being a hypercondriac xx

I believe that I have had inattentive ADHD all my life and, at 49 am still trying to pluck up the courage to go to the GP and ask to be referred. So worried they will think I am just jumping on a trend because it’s been highlighted so much on social media recently.
It was SM which highlighted it for my dd and I. She is 14 and we realised she lost probably has inattentive ADHD (she got referred this week with help from her teachers) and the more I researched the more I had kept seeing myself in these descriptions.
However, looking at your description you have just described me to a T and I am wondering if I am on the ASD spectrum too?
I have been at war with my brain for most of my life but have probably masked for so long that I am afraid they won’t take me seriously.
Good luck OP, we deserve to be heard and taken seriously. I hope it goes well for you.

Thank you for your kind words. I definitely think you should try your GP we deserve to know what's going on and get a diagnosis. I wish you all the best for your journey ❤️ xxx

NorthMumOfTwo you too, good luck xx

Hi OP. I hope you get the referral you want. I have a lot of the things you mentioned and I started researching adult autism last year when I was 39 after reading about Holly Smale’s diagnosis. I have done self tests and my scores suggest that there is a strong likelihood that I have autism. I haven’t been to the GP about it because I fear they won’t take me seriously. I have a PhD and a good job, come across as articulate, and I can be okay in social situations (but that is because I mask and I’m very anxious beforehand and exhausted afterwards). I could go for a private diagnosis but I don’t want to spend that much money and I wonder whether it would make a difference to me in any event. Recently I’ve been struggling a bit though with low moods. Good luck with your diagnosis.

I can fully relate to what you have said. I am completely socially awkward but I can mask when I do have to leave the house for example a supermarket I can walk around confidently but feel mentally exhausted once I'm home from being overly stimulated with the situation. And I understand I feel embarrassed telling my GP everything, I feel like they will think I'm a Hypercondriac, but you must do this for yourself if that's what you need as piece of mind, I am forcing myself to be vulnerable and open up because I need acknowledgement and to be seen and heard. Please seek out help advice from your GP. You never know how much relief you will feel afterwards xxx