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Autism and Mental Health Assessment

Autism & Mental Health Assessment


I've just completed my AQ questionnaire and scored 42/50.  For those who don't know the Autism Quotient contains 50 questions testing the probability of autism.  A score of at least 32 indicates a high probability the person has autism.  For more information & other autism tests google the autism research centre at the University of Cambridge.   Wow I've never scored so well in a test in a long while.  Sorry please excuse my flippant response but for me humour sometimes helps to get through difficult stuff.  

I am currently completing my own referral for autism assessment.  You may wonder why I'm referring myself?  The short answer is I saw the community mental health team who are happy to refer me for assessment assessment.  However they have completed the bare minimum of the referral and asked me to complete the rest.  Also complete the test and score myself.  This isn't very good for my mental health as I have a lot of other stuff going on at the moment.  However it is what it is and I'm completing bits as I can I will then post it all off to the assessment unit.

Mental Health Assessment Support

After a 2 hour assessment with a mental health nurse and a 3 week wait I finally received their report.  They can see I am going through so much at the moment therefore antidepressants will not help with this, but if I really want to try something else then my GP can prescribe them. I have tried two different Seratonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) antidepressant so the next step is usually a meds review but no matter.  They have referred me to I-talk for counselling.  Don't worry you're not clinically depressed as you have plans.  Luckily plans to keep going and try new things.  So my mood is just low with thoughts of despair and suicide, but it's fine I'll cope.  I have to.  

My worry is what about people who can't cope. Reaching out for help is a huge brave step and to receive nothing at the end of it is soul destroying.  Having been a nurse for a long time I am acutely aware of the cut backs in mental health services.  There is as always a lot of talk by Government about the importance of mental health,  but sadly no real headway in improving things.    Celebrities commit suicide and suddenly it is a hot topic to look out for each other.  Shouldn't we always look out for each other.  I've always tried to support everyone I can.  Sometimes this is my downfall as I don't know how to switch off and say no. 

I hope if you are reading this you have found it useful.  I really do care about others but neglect myself.

Take Care
Darren


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