Mental health is complicated and often overwhelming. Some people go through the majority of their lives without knowing what makes them the way they are. Yet, as we get older, there are always little fragments of ourselves being pieced together. Self-diagnosing, a phenomenon that grew on social media, can only take one’s mental health so far.
It’s all about the patterns. As we grow, we pick up on certain emotions we might cycle through. These patterns can become so familiar that we may begin comparing different conditions to our own, in an attempt to explain what may be happening to us.
These “patterns” can be something as simple as how we separate food on our plate, being stuck in a pen-clicking loop, having a shorter attention span or being hyper-focused.
Does one occurrence of clicking a pen five times over again mean someone has obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)? Does keeping the food on a plate separate mean someone has autism? It is possible, but further contemplation is always recommended. A lot of times our brains enjoy searching for problems, but looking for them can often create more problems than solutions.
The topic of mental health on social media has dramatically escalated past the idea of seeing professional psychologists and therapists. This is a result of how pricey and most likely out-of-budget these professionals can be. Similarly, some people do not believe in therapy and would rather trust their own beliefs.
Regardless, diagnosing yourself with a mental disorder can be very misleading due to the media’s stereotyping of mental health. Likewise, there are far too many technical errors or similarities in symptoms that can lead to the wrong outcome.
However, there are some pros to self-diagnosis. If someone compares their symptoms to someone who is already diagnosed, then that person may be more inclined to get help from a professional or take some advice. There are certain instances when an individual may wish to explore their mental health on their own before seeking professional guidance. This can make someone feel more in control or less likely to fear judgment.
While there certainly are benefits to self-diagnoses, it is recommended to only use it as an initial step in the process. The risk can be greater. Without proper diagnoses, mental health conditions may get worse. Being left untreated can either worsen conditions or keep them the same, and there will always be complications and struggles.
Self-diagnosing a mental health condition may also lead to overlooking other possibilities. For instance, problems with one’s physical health can affect mental wellness as well. So, claiming a mental illness without being diagnosed can put someone at risk of ignoring other possible underlying issues that need to be addressed.
In short, your mental health is not something to be played with or tested. It can be affected by physical health, stress and bigger issues in your body. Always pay attention to patterns and if there is any worry, seek guidance and diagnoses from a professional to receive the treatment you need.
