I first asked for a referral in 2016. Was told I got my autism referral, but I was just referred to the local mental health services. First psychologist said I sound like I have Aspergers (as it was then) but she can't diagnose. I got called for another appointment and was told by the second doctor that I can't have Aspergers because I know what "what's up" means. She also put a load of lies in my write up and diagnosed me anxiety disorder NOS and tried to push SSRIs on me. The moment I said Aspergers (neither of the doctors even knew I was seeking an assessment), she got antagonistic. "Why now? Why now? Yes but why now?" My mum was with me and she said it was obvious from the start that doctor didn't want to send me for testing.

So that's why it took me another 8 years to try again and mostly because I had a really good phobia therapist at the time who pushed me to try again. Ironically, my phobia therapist knew more about neurodivergence than my anxiety therapist, who outright said, "I don't know anything about autism and I'm not here for that." And she meant it.

So yeah mental health services in England suck. My uncle died while sectioned.

Oh I think you misunderstood. I meant the bit about the crappy diagnoses, I have enough imposter syndrome as it is.

For sure. I would have preferred an NHS face to face one, but they were making me jump through so many hoops (in the end I had to submit a 5 page report on why I think I'm autistic) that my GP said just go for right to choose.

So I'm glad I have the option, but I would also prefer more investment in NHS AND better training, because my own experiences with NHS mental health are pretty bad (see my above reply).