Going to the GP — when you can actually get a face-to-face appointment, that is — can be a nerve-wracking experience for anyone, but for neurodivergent people, the stress levels can go through the roof.
What’s usually a straightforward appointment for most people can end up feeling like running an emotional marathon for those whose brains operate a little differently. If you’re neurodivergent or know someone who is, these are 14 reasons why the 10 minutes you actually get with your doctor can be especially overwhelming—and why a little understanding can go a long way.
1. The waiting room is sensory overload.
Bright lights, loud conversations, beeping machines—it’s a lot to handle for someone with heightened sensitivity to sensory stimuli. The waiting room alone can feel like a gauntlet, leaving neurodivergent patients frazzled before they’ve even seen the doctor. Even small noises, like a ticking clock or rustling papers, can feel magnified, making it hard to focus on anything else.
2. Appointments rarely run on time.
For neurodivergent people who thrive on structure and predictability, delays can be incredibly stressful. Sitting in an unfamiliar environment, waiting past your scheduled time, can throw your entire day off and heighten anxiety. The unpredictability of it all makes it hard to prepare mentally for the conversation ahead.
3. Explaining symptoms is overwhelming.
Finding the right words to describe what’s wrong can feel impossible, especially when under pressure. Neurodivergent individuals may struggle to articulate their concerns clearly, leading to frustration or fear of not being taken seriously. The fear of missing out on important details only adds to the weight of the conversation.
4. The forms are a nightmare.
Endless paperwork, confusing medical history forms, and questions that don’t seem relevant can feel like a hurdle before you’ve even seen the GP. For someone who processes information differently, it can be an exhausting start to the appointment. The stress of trying to complete the forms correctly can overshadow the focus on the reason for your visit.
5. There’s always the fear of being dismissed.
Many neurodivergent patients worry that their symptoms won’t be believed or will be brushed off as anxiety. The fear of not being taken seriously can make it even harder to advocate for yourself in the appointment. The concern that you’ll leave with no solutions only intensifies the dread of attending in the first place.
6. Sensory issues with physical exams can be a problem.
Physical touch or medical equipment can be uncomfortable or even unbearable for someone with sensory sensitivities. Even something as routine as checking blood pressure can feel invasive and overwhelming. The anticipation of these moments can make the entire experience more stressful before it even begins.
7. There’s often too much medical jargon.
Doctors often use terms that can be hard to follow, leaving neurodivergent patients feeling confused or frustrated. Processing complex information on the spot is tough for anyone, but it’s especially challenging when your brain works differently. Trying to remember unfamiliar words or phrases later adds another layer of difficulty.
8. GPs always end up rushing through the appointment.
GP appointments are notoriously brief, and for neurodivergent people, the rush to explain everything in a short window can feel impossible. It’s easy to leave feeling like you didn’t cover what you needed to. The lack of time to process the doctor’s responses often leaves lingering questions unanswered.
9. There’s a real fear of judgement.
Neurodivergent people often feel judged for their behaviours, whether it’s stimming, avoiding eye contact, or struggling to stay on topic. The fear of being misunderstood can make it even harder to relax and focus on the appointment. This fear can lead to overthinking every word or action, which only adds to the stress.
10. Unexpected questions throw everything off.
Being asked a question you weren’t prepared for can completely derail your thought process. Neurodivergent individuals often rely on rehearsing what they want to say, and unexpected queries can cause a total mental blank. It might lead to frustration later when you realise you didn’t say something important.
11. It can be a struggle to deal with follow-up instructions.
When the GP rattles off a list of next steps, it can feel overwhelming to remember or process it all. Neurodivergent patients may struggle to take in instructions on the spot, leading to confusion once they leave the surgery. Having to rely on memory rather than a written summary adds another layer of pressure.
12. Social anxiety around talking to the GP is intense.
For some neurodivergent people, the social aspect of the appointment—making small talk, reading social cues, or even just entering the room—can cause significant stress. The effort it takes to manage these interactions can feel draining. Feeling misunderstood or dismissed in these exchanges only heightens that anxiety.
13. There can be sensory overload from waiting too long.
If the waiting time drags on, the sensory challenges in the room—background noise, strangers talking, or even the smell of disinfectant—can become overwhelming. By the time the appointment begins, stress levels are already high. The sensory overload can make it hard to focus during the actual consultation.
14. They worry about not being able to return to baseline.
Once the appointment is over, it can take hours or even days to recover emotionally and mentally. For neurodivergent people, appointments often leave them feeling drained long after they’ve left the GP’s office. The post-appointment fatigue can make scheduling the next visit feel like an even bigger challenge.
