Put off booking a GP appointment for six months? You’re definitely not alone.
Why is it so hard?
Booking, waiting, explaining symptoms and remembering advice all take a lot of energy. Phone queues, bright waiting rooms and quick-fire questions hit both sides of AuDHD.
Avoiding the doctor isn’t laziness. It’s a real barrier.
Getting healthcare involves a surprising number of difficult steps. You have to remember to book, often by phone at a particular time. You wait in a bright, noisy room. Then you have a few minutes to describe symptoms you may struggle to put into words, and to remember what you are told. Many AuDHD people mask in the appointment, so they seem less unwell than they are. It is no wonder so many put it off.
What gets hard
A quick comparison:
| Autistic side | ADHD side |
|---|---|
| Phone booking systems | Remembering to book at all |
| Bright, noisy waiting rooms | Waiting feels endless |
| Vague questions like “how bad?” | Forgets what they meant to say |
| Being touched | Losing the advice afterwards |
It all adds up to putting it off.
What it can look like
It varies from person to person, but it often includes:
- Putting off an appointment for months
- Freezing when asked to describe pain
- Masking so well you’re not taken seriously
- Forgetting half of what the doctor said
- Missing the call-back because you were busy
Before you go
- Book online if you can: Skip the phone queue.
- Write a list: Symptoms, questions and dates.
- Ask for adjustments: A longer slot, or a quieter place to wait.
- Bring someone: A second pair of ears.
- Plan recovery time: Appointments are draining.
In the room
- Read from your notes: That’s completely fine.
- Mention you’re AuDHD: It helps them adapt.
- Ask for clarity: “What do you mean by that?”
- Get it in writing: Ask for a summary, or check the app.
- Use numbers for pain: A 0 to 10 scale is easier.
Where to start
Prepare before you go. Write down your symptoms and questions, and take the list with you. Ask whether you can book online, have a longer appointment, or wait somewhere quieter. Bring someone if it helps. Reading from notes is completely acceptable, and it makes sure the important things get said.
The bottom line
Your health matters too.
This post is for awareness, not medical advice. In an emergency, call 999. For urgent advice in the UK, call NHS 111.
Want the swipeable version? This post is also a carousel on Instagram: follow @johnhasaudhd for more on life with AuDHD.