#anti self-diagnosis

[the-siberian-wolf]

Self-diagnosis isn't valid

I'd also like to make something clear about neurodivergent online spaces: self-diagnosing doesn't exist. You can't self-diagnose, you lack the medical and psychological knowledge to properly evaluate yourself. Not even medics are allowed to self-diagnosed themselves.

Yes, I'm aware of all the arguments in favour, but they're meaningless. I recognize not everyone can afford it, but that's not excuse to go around saying you have autism, ADHD, bipolar...etc.

If anything, you may say 'I suspect I have x thing', and even then it shouldn't be taken as an affirmation.

I'm talking about all online communities, not only tiktok. They all have that hurtful conception of 'self-diagnosis'. And no, it isn't valid.

Suspecting and self-diagnosing are two different things. And as I already said, a random person can't diagnose themselves, no matter how many online quizzes they did, how many articles they've read, how many people they relate to (sometimes, to other 'self-diagnosers, which only makes it worse, creating an echo chamber of self-validation) or whatever.

[sapphia]

autism screening quizzes will be like “do you take things too literally” and then ask fifty of the worst-worded questions ever dreamt up by man

[actuallyverynormalbtw]

i dont like to talk about self-diagnosis because i dont enjoy people making assumptions about me, my illnesses, and my diagnostic status. but i will say:

i have self diagnosed and gone on to be medically validated with an official diagnosis. multiple times actually. i was never wrong about my self-diagnoses.

however, i have been misdiagnosed by professionals FIVE TIMES. and let me tell you, a professional diagnosis being wrong is far more harmful than a self-diagnosis being wrong.

if your self diagnosis is wrong, maybe you used the wrong language or put yourself in a box or now feel invalid and whatnot. but if your professional diagnosis is wrong, it can lead to abuse, medical trauma, panic attacks, issues with medication, even suicide.

i was misdiagnosed with BPD when i was 15 by a psychologist that i spoke to for hardly even 10 minutes. this diagnosis was based on my parent's description of my reactions to abuse, and the diagnosis was used to validate and excuse their abuse.

i was misdiagnosed with MDD when i was 12 and put through several different types of anti-depressants. we never found anything that worked, because it was actually ADHD and dissociation, but i did end up with panic attacks and insomnia all throughout middle/highschool!

when i self-diagnosed with autism however, it saved my life. it took me out of active suicidality because i was able to finally able to accept myself after years of feeling like i am just "being a person wrong". i had the knowledge to accomodate for myself and the language to advocate for myself. this was life changing. even if i was wrong, which i wasnt, i dont see how it couldve caused any harm.

my opinions on self-diagnoses arent black and white, and im not entirely settled on them either, but i do think this is important to understand. doctors and psychologists are not all knowing. we live in a time where we can access thousands of dollars worth of university level education on the internet, even the same exact resources medical students use. plenty of people are capable of interpreting themselves and that information to come to a conclusion about what they are experiencing and what might help.

sure, self-diagnosis might be biased. but a professional is most likely going to be just as biased, and possibly less aware of it. its just silly to use bias as a primary argument when it is an inescapable feature of human psychology. there is a reason ADHD is underdiagnosed in women. there is a reason anxiety disorders are underdiagnosed in men.

an incorrect self-diagnosis wont take away resources or your space in your comminities. but professional misdiagnosis can cause real damage.

(i am not trying to fear-monger about professional diagnosis, moreso responding to the fear-mongering surrounding self-diagnosis)

[chimeraaas]

I wish nothing but the worst for ‘transabled’ and/or ‘transintersex’ idiots. Fall into a ditch already, you dense, revolting fucks.

[ontheoutside-lookingin]

Clinical misdiagnosis is more common than self misdiagnosis. Just for the record, in case anyone is still skeptical of self diagnosis :) it’s not up for debate btw

[august-zip]

Unpopular opinion

You can't self diagnose yourself with a mental disorder.

- Steven

[chaoticautie]

Me: I’m autistic

Person: Are you diagnosed?

Me: Well it’s been confirmed by more than one professional, my old diagnosis was written on paper for my IEP but it’s outdated now (Asp*rger’s), I’ve scored very high on almost every autism test out there, and a lot of my teachers, friends, and some of my family members have suspected it

Person: Okay, but are you diagnosed NOW?

Me: …No?

Person: Then you’re not autistic.

[syscoursing-doll]

There are very few cases that i accept "medically recognized" to be remotely equivalent to a diagnosis. Some of yall think a random untrained therapist not stating day one that you're full of shit is the same as getting professional evaluations and it shows 😳

[testiculartorsionlover]

there is no point to 'self diagnose' yourself with anything if you have no incentive to seek medical assistance or atleast do any other forms of self help and inner healing. at that point you're simply looking for a label to identify yourself with as if it's a personality trait, and not an actual disability. it's trashy at best, anti recovery at worst.

[edible-emerald]

"I have autism."

"Are you diagnosed?"

"Not yet."

"You're not autistic."

??? Like do I just stop having the disorder until I'm diagnosed???

[chronicsymptomsyndrome]

Never expected this many notes and all the tags are breaking my heart so I want to say something—

I’m so sorry if you were not taken seriously in your youth. I’m so sorry if you were denied the care and treatment you needed.

Please give yourself so much credit for surviving that.

I hope you heal from it all. I hope you get your needs met.

[disabled-planet]

Gotta love it when people do not realize that a diagnosis requires money, and by some a good amount of money.

Perhaps some cannot obtain a diagnosis due to discrimination by either their gender, sex, race, etc.

Or perhaps it’s because the symptoms are obvious, there are clear clues to what it is, but for some reasons, the doctors ignore it and say it’s merely anxiety.

Please stop thinking self-diagnosis is ableist. At times, the only thing someone can do. What? Do you want someone to suffer completely? It is not ableist. Yes only a doctor can diagnose you but what if this doctor is racist? What if the doctor is sexist? What if you cannot afford more than one visit to the doctor a year? What if you have horrible insurance? By your standards of being against self-diagnosis, it leaves people completely in the dark to suffer in agony. That is NOT okay.

If you have the resources and privilege to obtain a diagnosis, how about you also help go-fundme’s and donate to disabled people who are struggling financially.

By the way, not everyone goes to a tiktok video and immediately self-diagnoses themselves. Like myself, I did countless research, tried talking to many doctors, did some tests… but to no avail. It’s obvious I have this one condition, so painfully obvious but my doctors shrug it off. Seeing people claim that people who self-diagnose just watch a video and go hippity hoppity is so far from the truth. Also, I can’t afford much doctor visits and I am lucky enough to have decent insurance.

Though I acknowledge that some do not have health insurance or have terrible coverage. How on earth can they see a doctor then huh?

Being anti-self diagnosis is truly classist because it’s ignoring the horrible healthcare system (least in the US) and forgetting that many cannot afford doctor visits or tests.

Being anti-self diagnosis in my opinion, is ableist and definitely classist. Especially in the US, it can be sexist and racist too.

[pleaseletmeexist]

[thecorporatetower]

as beings who have been in and out of hospitals and mental institutions since late middle school (as of now we are a high school graduate), has been on and off different medications and is currently unmedicated due to not being able to afford what we need, and has had our symptoms and experiences of our disorders ignored and straight up denied by human doctors because of our agab,

having a diagnosis and access to care is a HUGE privilege.

dont you fucking DARE shun or shit on others for not being able to get a professional diagnosis, especially in a country where healthcare is shitty (we live in america).

we want to see more support for those who cant afford to go to a hospital or receive care and for those that have also been abused by the system.

-Natasha/Angel and Syntax

[august-zip]

"We're self diagnosed because-"

No. If you are not a trained psychologist or psychiatrist you should not be diagnosing yourself. (Psych's and psychologists can't even diagnose themselves) Yes, I understand money can be an issue and that some cannot afford to see a specialist to be diagnosed. But that comes to the point where you shouldn't be saying "oh I have DID" or "I have OSDD" when in reality you might actually not and shouldn't go around saying such.

"Oh but you can self diagnose a cold! That's how you know!"

Yep. You can self-dx a cold. You cannot however self-dx a complex dissociative disorder. (The difference is one is physical and something you get countless times throughout your life.)

- Vayu

[corinescorner]

Why is Researched Self Diagnosis Valid?

Access: Many people face financial, geographical, and/or systemic barriers to seeing a specialist or obtaining a professional diagnosis. Self-research are the best bet who face the lack of access.

Bias and Misdiagnosis: Healthcare systems and providers can show biases against minorities (racism, sexism, ableism, etc) or lack of knowledge about specific symptoms or conditions, leading to misdiagnoses.

Researching one's symptoms empowers the person, especially when talking to a healthcare professional. They can advocate for themselves a lot better, which can lead to even better outcomes. Recognizing patterns or issues early on, before a medical comfirmation, can prompt earlier lifestyle changes or management.

A person's lived experience can't be fully captured in a short, clinical interactions. Those with chronic or neurodivergent conditions can recognize patterns in their symptoms way before a professional would. Self-research can help validate these experiences.

Researched self-diagnosis is a valid and necessary thing for many, many individuals who need to navigate the barriers within the healthcare systems. It lets people become empowered to take control over their health, advocate for their needs, and recognize things that might go unnoticed in a professional setting.

While professional diagnosis remains important, self-diagnosis--when approached thoughtfully and informed--can help bridge the gaps in access, bias, and systemic issues.