#self-diagnosing

Why self-diagnosis is helpful:

It can help with loneliness or feeling isolated from the people around you.

It can help you find strategies to deal with struggles you have, maybe due to you maybe having that suspected condition.

It can help you become more aware about who you are.

It can clear up confusion.

It can help you know that whatever you are experiencing is normal, no matter what condition you have and even if you don't have any conditions.

After note/disclaimer (since if someone browses our posts, they might assume something like this): This is also not anything that has to do with plurality since most (non-disordered) plural systems that diagnosed DID or OSDD systems fake-claim are not self-diagnosing themselves as DID or OSDD. It's just commonly believed that DID and OSDD are the only forms of valid plurality. There is a reason why non-disordered systems call themselves "non-disordered". They aren't claiming to be DID or OSDD. And plurality is more diverse than it is commonly thought of. So is every human (physically) brain and person(s).

-Zero/Sal

Terminology note: Writing "(physically)" after "human" because I don't want to exclude any fellow alterhumans reading this.

first, a person who self-diagnoses, might misdiagnose themselves. yes professionals can do it too, but it’s a lot less likely. non-professionals may not be aware of each disorders subtleties and specifications. or they could be swayed by common misconceptions, or misrepresentation in the media and public at large.

for example, a person who has rapid mood swings assumes they’ve got Bipolar Disorder (BD), but if they’d gone to a mental health professional (MHP) they would’ve discovered they actually have Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). tht’s why it’s helpful to have assistance, as a Mental Health Professional (MHP) can work with you to address your specific needs. which is vital, as treatment for BD is different from treatment for BPD.  

another danger, you could miss a physical illness masquerading as a mental one. like, if you think you have a panic disorder, but you actually have high blood pressure, a heart issue, or even a brain tumor. meaning, you may want to get diagnosed by a MHP simply to rule out a serious physical illness.having a MHP be your mirror can be beneficial. as a lot of ppl with mental illness have comorbid disorders ( two or more syndromes existing in the same person). like, someone who believes they’ve only got one disorder, like an anxiety disorder, may miss a comorbid one, like major depressive disorder. on the flip side, a person may think they have a slew of comorbid disorders, but in reality, they’re all part of a single disorder.

plus, the whole point of getting a diagnosis is for healing, not just having a label. which is something many of us need professional help navigating. if you self-diagnosed you may not know what next step to take, which could wind up making you feel even worse than before. of course there’s no guarantee a MHP will provide you with the support you need, but it’s more than likely.

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however, self-diagnosis can be a necessary and important tool. this is because many minorities and marginalised ppl don’t have access to quality and/or comprehensive mental healthcare. some can’t afford it, others don’t have access to travel to it, still others, can’t find a doctor who’ll respect their gender/sexual orientation or other personal state of being.

also, not waiting for a professional diagnosis, means you can start accepting your disorder, which is the first step to healing. this awareness can move you from being stuck hoping for a label and motivate you to begin receiving help dealing with whatever illness you’ve got. like, once you accept tht you’re depressed, then you kno you aren’t just going to suddenly stop being sad, empty, or emotionless and you can start getting help.

tht’s why realising you’re actually ill can be a relief. as you can now decide on how you’re going to resolve treatment. thus bringing you another step closer to self-acceptance and health. here, self-diagnosis can jump start your search for support, resources and whatever other approach you need. as opposed to waiting around, feeling like a failure at life.

along tht line, self-diagnosing can spur us on to reach out to those who share our disorder. thereby helping us join/create a community (like a support group). having a space to get support, share knowledge, and form connections is crucial. as with any illness, having the support of a community can make all the difference in the world. so if self-diagnosing get’s you to those ppl, tht’s rad.

so is it dangerous? sure. can it be helpful? sure. is there a right or wrong answer to diagnosis? nope. we’re all different, as are our needs, but bottom line, if you think you’ve got a mental illness, reach out for help and support.