i want to be clear, because i realize in hindsight that it comes across as invalidating: when i say "self dxing is beneficial ONLY if it leads to the individual working towards an official diagnosis," it's not me saying "it must be done immediately as soon as you suspect something." it's me saying "your self diagnostics should EVENTUALLY lead towards an official diagnosis." it doesn't have to happen until later in life when you're ready and capable or get the aid you need to get one. until you do get that diagnosis, you should treat it as a suspicion, not fact, and shouldn't say you have that condition publicly or make other people believe you have that condition.
you are valid to believe you may have something, and seek community when you have that suspicion. you are valid if you don't have the means right now to see a professional to confirm it. you are valid if you're not ready or in a living situation that encourages you to seek help.
but please, for your absolute well-being, you should not ever say for a fact that you have a condition that you have not been formally tested for, because you might be neglecting something else with way different, more specific needs due to confirmation bias. you need secondary, professional opinions. it is so much safer to get a professional opinion that confirms it and be able to come back and say 'i told you so' than it is to claim it, try to care for it, and it end up being something else that is well above your paygrade.
Re: Unpopular Opinion...
i want to be clear, because i realize in hindsight that it comes across as invalidating: when i say "self dxing is beneficial ONLY if it leads to the individual working towards an official diagnosis," it's not me saying "it must be done immediately as soon as you suspect something." it's me saying "your self diagnostics should EVENTUALLY lead towards an official diagnosis." it doesn't have to happen until later in life when you're ready and capable or get the aid you need to get one. until you do get that diagnosis, you should treat it as a suspicion, not fact, and shouldn't say you have that condition publicly or make other people believe you have that condition.
you are valid to believe you may have something, and seek community when you have that suspicion.
you are valid if you don't have the means right now to see a professional to confirm it.
you are valid if you're not ready or in a living situation that encourages you to seek help.
but please, for your absolute well-being, you should not ever say for a fact that you have a condition that you have not been formally tested for, because you might be neglecting something else with way different, more specific needs due to confirmation bias. you need secondary, professional opinions. it is so much safer to get a professional opinion that confirms it and be able to come back and say 'i told you so' than it is to claim it, try to care for it, and it end up being something else that is well above your paygrade.