Is self diagnosis okay?

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I’ve recently self diagnosed myself with misophonia. I find myself triggered by loud eating noises and some other related sounds, which usually result in faster heart rate or, with some triggers, anger. A lot of the time I wonder whether it’s real or if I’m just some stupid, immature kid begging for attention. Most of that hinges on the fact that this is a self diagnosis.
I just want to know: is self diagnosis like this okay?

Category: Tags: asked June 27, 2015

3 Answers

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Yes, absolutely. What you feel and experience is valid simply because you're feeling and experiencing it. It doesn't have to be validated by anyone else. At the end of the day, you know what's going on with your own mind and body, and you are allowed to trust that. Labels for mental illnesses only exist as a way for us to communicate our experiences to others. The label "misophonia" is yours to claim. It doesn't belong exclusively to any doctor or person with a psych degree. That word belongs to you, the person experiencing it. You have every right to self-diagnosis and everything you feel is valid, always. <3 My inbox is always open to you if you ever need to talk.
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Self-diagnosis is something you should never feel guilty about. In my experience, doctors are more likely to hand you a prescription rather than actually hear your opinion most of the time. You are the only one who knows how you truly feel and you should never feel guilty about listening to what your body is saying to you and analyzing it. Use that as motivation to seek out a therapist or doctor who will work with you to help you become healthy and will listen to what you have to say. What you feel is always valid and your emotions are yours and you know what is best for your body.
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Self-diagnoses is usually perfectly fine. The only time it becomes a problem is when you are intentionally making up a disorder for yourself. Even if it turns out you don't have the disorder you diagnosed yourself with, the fact that you thought you had it proved that there was at least a slight problem. Don't worry about it, you know yourself better than others.