I don't think your case is very common; from what I've read in newsletters and on the internet my experience is actually closer to the norm. I was, unfortunately, seen by a psychiatrist with no experience of autism. Later on, my GP suggested I had symptoms, and asked that psych in the form of a letter (who hadn't seen me for three years, and had only met me once) if I showed any signs. He stated that I categorically did not, and I was prevented from accessing any autism-related diagnostic services on the NHS because they could see my notes and thought I couldn't have the condition.
A few years later, I was privately assessed and they were very surprised it wasn't picked up sooner - my childhood was utterly stereotypical.
My entire experience of the MH system was that, if I refused to talk to them, they thought I was a horrible child. The fact is, when someone says to me "how do you feel?" I draw a blank, get anxious, and can't respond. I know a lot of people on the autistic spectrum who are like this, and that's why I think the talking therapies are pretty useless unless the pros have a good understanding of autism, as you can acquire labels you don't deserve ("depressed", even "narcissistic" in some cases).
Dealing with secondary mental health conditions could involve liaison between MH and ASD services, but I think it's important to have the autistic symptoms supported by specialist professionals (if need be).
|