Diagnosis - Expectations

[Rasputin]

I have not been formally diagnosed with ASD, but on December 24th was referred to a Clinical Psychologist and a Psychiatrist for diagnosis. I meet with the Psychologist on January 14th, and meet with the Psychiatrist on January 30th.

When I saw my primary care physician on December 24th, I was hoping the doctor could prescribe an anti-depressant to help me deal with anxiety and insomnia. Now, eight days later I feel very depressed, anxious, and somewhat scared not knowing what to expect. I tend to not trust these doctors, right or wrong, as it relates to any mental illness diagnosis. Some of the questions I have are:

(1) Is my worrying justified?
(2) Why would I be referred to both a clinical psychologist and a psychiatrist?
(3) What is the clinical psychologist role versus that of the psychiatrist?
(4) Does any of this sound unusual, or is what I am describing pretty typical?

The main concern I have is whether an ASD diagnosis will make it more difficult for me to obtain health, or long-term care insurance.

 

[the_tortoise]

(2) Why would I be referred to both a clinical psychologist and a psychiatrist?
(3) What is the clinical psychologist role versus that of the psychiatrist?

Don’t know but my thoughts are:

Possibly the psychologist does things like IQ and adaptive functioning assessments that the psychiatrist does not normally do?

Psychiatrists can prescribe medication but psychologists cannot (psychiatrists are medical doctors, psychologists do not have medical training) so if you stated that you wanted to try medication perhaps your GP just did not feel comfortable prescribing it with no specialist evaluation of your condition since psychiatry and neurodevelopment are not their area of expertise.

Maybe the psychologist is for the full assessment to see if you have ASD or something else, and the psychiatrist is for consulting on the question of medication?

Could you call the primary care doctor’s office and ask them why you have been referred to two specialists instead of just one?

 

[Rasputin]

Don’t know but my thoughts are:

Possibly the psychologist does things like IQ and adaptive functioning assessments that the psychiatrist does not normally do?

Psychiatrists can prescribe medication but psychologists cannot (psychiatrists are medical doctors, psychologists do not have medical training) so if you stated that you wanted to try medication perhaps your GP just did not feel comfortable prescribing it with no specialist evaluation of your condition since psychiatry and neurodevelopment are not their area of expertise.

I guess that makes sense. I can bring copies of IQ testing results when I meet with the psychologist to maybe facilitate her assessment. The psychiatrist would be needed to prescribe medication. Thanks!

 

[Rasputin]

Don’t know but my thoughts are:

Possibly the psychologist does things like IQ and adaptive functioning assessments that the psychiatrist does not normally do?

Psychiatrists can prescribe medication but psychologists cannot (psychiatrists are medical doctors, psychologists do not have medical training) so if you stated that you wanted to try medication perhaps your GP just did not feel comfortable prescribing it with no specialist evaluation of your condition since psychiatry and neurodevelopment are not their area of expertise.

Maybe the psychologist is for the full assessment to see if you have ASD or something else, and the psychiatrist is for consulting on the question of medication?

Could you call the primary care doctor’s office and ask them why you have been referred to two specialists instead of just one?

I did some research on the psychiatrist I was referred to. He specializes in treatment autism patients, including adult patients. So it sounds like a preliminary ASD diagnosis was made by my primary care physician.