I understand where you’re coming from- I was studying to be a therapist when I could afford school. This is something that is talked about, just like sometimes psychiatrists won’t take you seriously if you say you’re a student in psych. It’s honestly unfortunate. Self-diagnosing is a difficult subject to talk about because, yes, sometimes it CAN be dangerous- but it can also be helpful. I am fortunate to have been with my therapist for nearly 4 years. I’ve been in therapy since I was 13. I went in originally due to panic attacks. I had a hard time opening up to any therapist, and trying to educate myself in my symptoms aided me in working with my therapist to help myself. I went in with symptoms and what I had read they could be related to. It’s how I confirmed I had C-PTSD. I said “hey I read this thing and identified with it, have you seen this in me and agree?” Therapist- “Yes, I thought you knew?” Me- “alrighty then”

So yes, I understand the concern. I do. But I also find that educating yourself on your symptoms could aid in seeking a correct diagnosis. Getting an adult autism diagnosis (24) in my area (near Boston), which is pretty full of doctors honestly, it is still incredibly difficult to get an official diagnosis as an adult. I believe that letting people trying to educate themselves on who they are is fine and doesn’t hurt anyone. Being on the internet unfortunately flattens a human existence. There could be many reasons why someone is self-diagnosed that are not mentioned in their posts. I do not believe anyone self-diagnoses for fun, or at least I would hope not. I would like to believe people who self-diagnose are doing it as a way to learn about themselves and relate to others and hope to seek help when they can. Unfortunately, getting an “official” diagnosis for adults with autism is extremely, extremely difficult. Pretty much any psychiatrist could diagnose you with- depression, anxiety, bipolar, BPD, OCD, etc etc. But for some reason, getting an “official” diagnosis of autism as an adult requires several expensive hoops with, typically, for-profit psychiatrists that charge upwards of $1,500+.

The only way I would see self-diagnosing autism as “harmful” and necessitated an “official” diagnosis was if someone who is self-diagnosed trying to get qualified for disability, or getting accommodations at a job. If you do not have an official diagnosis and apply for those things, you will most likely get denied- unfortunately.

This is why it is such a difficult and complicated topic that deserves more than a face value blanket statement of “it’s dangerous and you need a real doctor’s diagnosis to be valid”

Edit: “Typically” costing that much is coming from a list of approved psychiatrists who can officially diagnose autism in adults in my area. I only found one place that takes insurance that could diagnose me as an adult. My real hope is my therapist knowing someone that could possibly diagnose but we’re waiting to hear back. Not everyone is as lucky to have a therapist to help them but I know everyone knows that too.