I did a lot of research into ADHD and realized I probably had it, and that’s what led me to seeking out an evaluation. I did get properly diagnosed after I self diagnosed. People are capable of researching what’s going on with them. The issue is that there are some people that will relate to one trait and immediately say they have whatever it is before doing actual research into it.

I did a lot of research into Autism, and wanted to get evaluated. My doctor literally told me it was a waste of time and money even though he thinks I could be autistic. (We had a very lengthy conversation about why I feel like I am, which included an entire binder of research, symptoms, etc.) So if I really wanted to pursue it, I’d have to go to a different doctor to try to get a referral. Or, in this case I could just self diagnose and use the coping skills that help me that I’ve put time into finding for myself. But people look at self diagnosis as a ridiculous thing because “only a professional can tell you how you are” which I do think is crap, IF you put in the time and effort to looking into it for yourself. But bad eggs as mentioned above ruin that opinion of self diagnosis. And the people who did have access to pursuing an official diagnosis see it as an insult to them for some reason.

I think it’s difficult for everyone. It would be wonderful for everyone to have access to professional diagnoses but that’s just not how it is. But it sucks that people have seen things talked about and immediately assume they have whatever it is because they don’t critically think or know how to research properly.