Do not self diagnose mental health!

[EatAjaxAndDie]

I have noticed a disturbing trend in people with mental health issues: reliance on self diagnosis.

Looking up symptoms and bringing said symptoms to a professional and getting all the information possible on a diagnosis is helpful, but relying on a non-professional opinion will not help you! It will only hinder progress. Even doctors know that they should not (and ethically cannot) treat themselves.

I know quite a few people who self diagnose and do not seek proper treatment, or do not follow professional treatment regimens because of either distrust of professionals or misguided trust in their own abilities.

If you believe you have a problem, seek professional help. Write all of your symptoms down and gather information on them. DO NOT self diagnose and get upset when a medical professional does not agree with your amateur diagnosis.

On the other hand, if the doctor is plain ignoring you or discounting major symptoms, find another professional. Don't try to do it yourself.

A thread on mental health resources:
http://www.detroitgothic.net/index.php?/topic/38227-mental-health-resources-for-michigan/

[Troy Spiral (13)]

I'm all for being educated and people SHOULD educate themselves more about medical issues, but the topic title says it.  Way too many people "think they know better". Now, maybe you have some doctor that is obsessed with the wrong thing, but that takes a long time to figure out.   I've had to fire  a few docs over the years, but its rare.  They do do this for a living. 

 

And bring someone with you if its appropriate , especially if your a bit shy. They might catch something you don't, or maybe there is something you want to say but don't have the  courage to.  Also don't for get they work for you, you don't work for them.  If you feel like they are downplaying your problems, fuck em, next doctor.  There are plenty. 

Edited November 2, 2015 by Troy Spiral

[kat (1)]

K..um..

Diagnosis ie labels are billing codes. You display a subset of symptoms and the therapist and/or doctor comes up with the best category that those set of symptoms fit. However, no two people are alike so therefore you will probably end up "labeled" with multiple billing codes to describe you. I, am not a billing code..it's bs, we all have some symptoms that are going to be defined in the DSM 5 as a disorder. 

Labeling yourself limits yourself.  Imo..um, to me, if you are functional and not hurting anyone else than live you're life, coping is exclusive to each their own.  We need to stop letting diagnosis of mental health issue excuse behavior. The thing that people seem to think is that a person who has a diagnosis is in that state at all times. If that were the case everyone who is diagnosed with a mental health disorder would have to be deemed legally incompetent.

 

Edited November 6, 2015 by kat