adult diagnosis

[belstu]

Hi This is my first post so apologies if I accidentally breach the etiquette. My 26 year old son has had problems since his mid-teens with what was classed by the doctors as depression. He gave up on the doctors when he was about 20 and for the past 6 years has basically lived in his room and refused to have anything to do with the outside world. When I read about Aspergers a few years ago it just seemed that I was reading about my son. We had a house fire this January and he lost everything he owned. I think the shock of all this made him agree to see the doctor (we'd moved so it was a different doctor). The GP is great with him but does not seem to believe in Aspergers and has diagnosed him with depression and stress but still referred him to a psychiatrist. The first thing the psychiatrist told him, before speaking to him, was that we won't bother with Aspergers, then told him he wasn't depressed and to work on his social skills. He had an appointment with a doctor working for the benefits agency (since Feb he has been getting DLS) and we have just had the results. It ignored every single thing my son said and says no more DLA, but says nothing about what he does next. My son wants to work, but needs some help to get a job.

 

Sorry this is so long but have spent the past 24 hours trying to convince my son not to kill himself and I'm absolutely desperate. I have to leave for work in half an hour and am worried sick that he might not be here when I come back. Does anyone have advice? I don't care what they say is wrong with him just as long as someone will help him.

 

I forgot to say that although I think he may have Aspergers my son isn't convinced that it is a real condition so everytime a doctor says this to him it validates his opinion.

[Mumble]

Sorry this is so long but have spent the past 24 hours trying to convince my son not to kill himself and I'm absolutely desperate. I have to leave for work in half an hour and am worried sick that he might not be here when I come back. Does anyone have advice?

You need to contact the out of hours GP or take him straight to A&E who will have a duty psychiatrist.

 

[Kathryn]

Hi beltsu,

 

I had nothing to add to Mumble's succinct advice and I hope the immediate crisis is resolved. We're here if you want to talk.

 

I sympathise - it's difficult to get an adult to access AS specific help if they wont acknowledge the diagnosis.

 

K x

[Jannih]

He had an appointment with a doctor working for the benefits agency (since Feb he has been getting DLS) and we have just had the results. It ignored every single thing my son said and says no more DLA, but says nothing about what he does next. My son wants to work, but needs some help to get a job.

 

 

Re: the DLA, they should enclose a leaflet telling you how to appeal. A lot of DLA applications are turned down at the first hurdle, so make sure you appeal. Do it as quickly as possible as it has to be done within a certain amount of time. If they tell you that you are out of time, try telling them that their were no instructions provided in how to appeal and that you didn't know you could. However, I have a feeling that the info would have been provided in the letter you received. I might be wrong though.