Opinions before going to the psychiatrist?
Alright, this may be an odd request, however I am considering getting a professional diagnosis, but before that, I would like to get opinions on what I could potentially have. I absolutely hate surprises and don't want to be caught off guard in my diagnosis, therefore I would like to do some research beforehand and keep the options open. My knowledge on mental disorders aren't too vast at all and I don't know anyone else whom I could talk to in regards to this, so I was hoping someone on this platform may be able to be of some assistance.
What I want is not a diagnosis on here, I simply want to hear opinions of others to further my research before going to the psychiatrist.
If there's anyone interested in helping me in this regard, granted you have a fair amount of knowledge on disorders, please feel free to send me a mess. I would highly appreciate it.
@RationalNoodle Hi. You’re probably aware that a psychiatrist is a medical doctor as opposed to a psychologist who can’t prescribe medicine. Then there are therapists who have counseling credentials but are not psychologists. Therapists are trained to diagnose and you might want to start there. A diagnosis usually helps the therapist devise a treatment plan suitable for your symptoms. But it might not be more than an interesting label or category of your symptoms rather than anything that is a lot of use to you. I too wanted to know what my labels were, but it was really not terribly useful. Getting a non professional diagnosis might be less useful and perhaps very inaccurate.
@RationalNoodle
while i am a big fan on research and self discovery it is often counter intuitive when going to a doctor as you might project items you think fit instead of being authentic.
i also think in mental as well as other illnesses it is often very different and there is no one size fits all.......
honestly if researching before making appointments .... i realize that in many cases i feel in mental health more then any other type situation the fit of the person and patient is the biggest obstacle and you might end up talking to a few professional therapists or psychiatrists before finding a good fit.
@RationalNoodleHey there. It would be great organize a chat and discuss your symptoms of mental illness, and discuss some possible conditions that might be related. I'd love to get to know you, I'm a proffesional psychologist and are qualified so while I may not be able to provide a diagnosis, I can definetly outline some possibilities.
Just let me know if you would like that.
It is human nature to want a diagnosis. To feel validated in the pain that you feel.
While placing your trust in the professionals can be a good thing, i would say that self awareness is worth more. A psychiatrist can give an opinion and yes, they are the ones who prescribe medication. But hold onto your autonomy, ask questions, and keep asking why ? It is your life and your health, don't be dictated by anyone. Listen and then make up your own mind.
To quote Voltaire, " physicians prescribe medicines of which they know little, into people which they know even less." Gather all the info, read as much as you can and follow your own path.
No one...not even a psychiatrist can lead you into the light and into wellness. They can advise, but you need to choose what is best for you, take the good and disregard the unhelpful. It is your life and do what is right for you. Nothing is prescriptive, no matter how it is presented. You are unique and trust your inner voice.