Mental Health

We all know the struggles those with mental health have faced throughout the years. While the stigma attached to mental health may have lessened somewhat in recent years there are still those who struggle with obtaining a formal diagnosis.

So what is self-diagnosis and why is it so important?

Self-diagnosis is pretty self-explanatory. Most people will feel that something is off or wrong, research their symptoms, and then come to a conclusion. People usually go through this stage before deciding to obtain a formal diagnosis from a professional. You would not go to a doctor for the flu unless you genuinely feel sick, it is the same with mental health... You would not go to a therapist for a diagnosis of depression, anxiety, etc., without first coming to the conclusion that you could possibly have one of these mental health conditions.

So, why is self-diagnosis so important? It is sometimes frowned upon by some of those who have already obtained a formal diagnosis but not by all of them. It is easy to forget the struggles of obtaining a formal diagnosis once you already have it. And not everyone has the same financial privileges when it comes to access to therapy. And this is no one individual's fault, it is simply how our society has evolved.

This is where self-diagnosis comes in... Yes, in a perfect society it would be wonderful for everyone to have access to a formal diagnosis by a professional, unfortunately, this is not the case. For those that cannot afford professional help self-diagnosing is a way for them to be able to understand why they are the way they are and give them access to the answers, they seek which can help improve their quality of life! The internet can be your best friend when it comes to seeking advice for mental health issues.

A wonderful example of this would my friend who grew up with undiagnosed ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), they turned to the internet for help in figuring out why they felt so different from other people, and in doing so they found a lot of other people who struggled with the same things that they struggle with. These other people provided them with their stories of living with ASD and a ton of ways that helped improve their quality of life. This information in turn gave my friend the answers they were seeking to help improve their daily struggles.

I can even speak from personal experience in this area. I grew up with undiagnosed ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), so I spent the vast majority of my life not knowing what was, "wrong," with me. I felt like a freak because no one else was like me. Why couldn't I sit still? Why couldn't I focus during school? There were times I felt like I was going insane from not knowing why I was different than the rest of my family.

I cannot list on one hand the number of times I had someone tell me I was annoying. I just didn't understand why people found me annoying, it was like me, as I truly was, would never be liked by other people. Thankfully, I was wrong. I have found several people who accept me as I am.

I actually owe credit for my diagnosis to my sister. I would still to this day not know why I am different from my friends and family if she had not come across someone on the internet who struggled with ADHD. This person reminded her of me, and I had actually been confiding in my sister for a few years with some of my struggles. So, she realized we actually shared quite a few symptoms and struggles.

My whole world changed when my sister came to me with the information she had found on ADHD. I suddenly felt understood, I didn't feel so alone. With the information she provided me, I was able to begin my own research into what ADHD is and some ways that could help me. It would still be a few years, at this point, before I was able to even begin seeing a therapist.

It is thanks to my sister and my research that I was able to know why my brain works the way it works. So, even without a formal diagnosis, I was able to find several ideas that could help me throughout my daily life.

Everyone on this planet deserves a good quality of life. You do not need a professional to give you permission to try things that could help you live better and happier.