What's the best way to communicate with doctors when you struggle with verbal communication? (autism).
Hi,
I hope this is allowed, I wasn't sure where else to ask for advice.
I am autistic and I find (verbal) communication generally a bit tricky but I really, really struggle in doctor's appointments as I get very anxious.
I usually go with a support worker but I had to go today on my own as it was an urgent appointment (I saw a paramedic at the surgery a few days ago and they said I needed to come back today, as well as being referred under the 2WW thing), and I only get a set amount of support hours a week.
I had already written out everything I wanted to say (symptoms, what I tried already, what I was worried about, and a few questions). When I had the appointment earlier in the week I was able to give this to the person I saw who read through it and said it was really helpful and to give it to the doctor today.
I tried that that this afternoon but the doctor refused to read it (and wasn't very nice about it). The whole appointment went really badly - he didn't want to answer any of my questions and seemed quite angry at me. I wanted to know what I could do to feel better and he said he didn't have any advice and to come back after being seen by the hospital. The reason I think it's a communication thing is that the first person who I saw who read my notes seemed quite worried and said that the GP would be able to answer the questions I had, but the GP I saw today seemed very frustrated with the fact I was there at all.
I'm now really scared to go to the hospital on Sunday and I'm thinking of not going at all. What can I do to make it easier for me to communicate without making the doctor angry?
My mum will come with me on Sunday. I didn't want her to come into my appointment today because after the appointment earlier in the week I thought it might make her worried. I don't usually like her coming into appointments with me in case she gets worried and also so she doesn't talk over me or get angry at the doctors. I can ask her to be in my appointment on Sunday though but I'm not sure if that'll make it worse?