Psychology can be a very fascinating discipline. If you decide to study psychology, you might begin to believe that you have a specific psychiatric disorder. However, it can be difficult even for a highly trained psychiatrist to diagnose a patient. There are many reasons why you should not try to diagnose yourself.
Patients Tend To Assume The Worst
When looking up the potential psychiatric illness that you have online, it is likely, when looking at the symptoms, to assume that you have the worst disorder you are able to find. For instance, you may assume that you suffer from paranoia because you sometimes feel distrustful or unsafe. However, while a lot of individuals have some of the symptoms of psychiatric disorders occasionally, these symptoms must be pathological and debilitating to be considered a disorder. A psychiatrist is able to look at the severity of the symptoms to make a proper diagnosis.
You Might Be On The Wrong Track
Another problem is that a single diagnosis can be a part of a range of possible diagnoses. You will need to understand and rule out various other explanations of your symptoms before you can arrive at an accurate diagnosis. Usually, only a psychiatrist has the knowledge and experience to accomplish this effectively.
Your Symptoms Might Have A Physical Cause
Another problem is your symptoms might actually be associated with a physical disorder rather than a mental one. Your psychiatrist might recommend that you visit a doctor to receive tests. The symptoms of manic-depression, for instance, can be the result of a thyroid disorder.
The Information Might Not Be Correct
Even if you are meticulous, the information you receive from an online search might not be accurate. Even credible sources can be inaccurate by having out-of-date information. The DSM is regularly updated with new requirements regarding what qualifies a patient for suffering from which disorder. If you then choose to act on this information, you might actually exacerbate the symptoms of your disorder.
You Should Trust Professionals
Doctors, counselors and psychiatrists usually do not appreciate when a patient comes to the office with incorrect information or is convinced of suffering from a particular disorder. Instead, it is important to focus on being as detailed as possible with the symptoms you are experiencing and to trust the judgment of the professional. Then, it will be much easier for the professional to help you overcome your symptoms.
Contact places like Lazaroff & Lazaroff - Beatrice S. Lazaroff, Ph.D./Jerry M. Lazaroff, Ph.D. for more information.
