darkSpyro

What is your opinion on self diagnosis? Like, diagnosing yourself with autism because of symptoms you read online for example.

Do you believe it's valid?

It depends on what it's a diagnosis of. Depression, yes, cancer no.

depends on what it is. usually no.

It pisses me off when people they have OCD when they want something clean or match. Humans are naturally like that.


I was at work one day and two women were leaving the store and one of them pushed a loose kart back into the kart line, she then said "I just made my OCD very happy!" in a very proud tone.

I thought to myself "That's not OCD.. You do NOT have OCD. OCD can have total control over your entire life and make you paranoid AF.

It's like saying your autistic just because your shy and awkward.

Usually no, unless you have actual medical knowledge.

Depends, if you self diagnose autism or some other mental disease, then I really won't take you seriously at all. I guess I could understand it if you showed actual signs of the mental disorder..

My parents have tried to self diagnose me of Aspergers before. Psychologist shut that down before it got stupid, though I doubt they agreed that just because I have huge panic/anxiety issues I could still not be that far in the autism spectrum.

I don't support it in the slightest. Diagnosing should be left to the professionals, not ignorant people just looking for a reason to call themselves "special". If someone genuinely thinks they have something like autism or ADHD or even psychosis, they should get an expert opinion before jumping to conclusions.

I often wonder why someone would say they have severe depression yet they've never been seen by a Psychiatrist or Psychologist. I think self diagnosis is more harmful to a person.

Nope. Not even doctors can diagnose themselves because of biases.

It's fine to suspect you may have a mental disorder/disease and research them, but it's not okay to claim you have these diseases or disorders prior to any professional diagnosis. Do you know how many people would take advantage of others if self-diagnosis wasn't frowned upon?

Quote: thumper

I often wonder why someone would say they have severe depression yet they've never been seen by a Psychiatrist or Psychologist. I think self diagnosis is more harmful to a person.

Symptoms of depression are easier to recognize than with a lot of other mental issues. Especially if one of those symptoms is suicidal thoughts or attempts at suicide.

personally i find it offensive

Honestly I see it as an attention-seeking thing. Like many others have said I reckon it's fine to suspect you may have a disorder, but leave it to professionals to determine if you actually do have one.

Quote: Carmelita Fox

It's fine to suspect you may have a mental disorder/disease and research them, but it's not okay to claim you have these diseases or disorders prior to any professional diagnosis. Do you know how many people would take advantage of others if self-diagnosis wasn't frowned upon?

This^