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Let& #39;s talk about the other side of self-dx: when you do all your homework & come to the conclusion that you are NOT (fill in the blank).
There seems to be this myth that self-dx is a twisted desire to collect illnesses/disorders a person doesn& #39;t deserve.
Umm … NO.
A thread
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There seems to be this myth that self-dx is a twisted desire to collect illnesses/disorders a person doesn& #39;t deserve.
Umm … NO.
A thread
I& #39;m going to use myself as an example. In researching #ADHD I& #39;ve come across a few #OCD things that struck a nerve.
As in, related so hard I spit my tea across the desk. I took a few online tests out of curiosity and these are the questions that really hit home.https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇🏻" title="Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten (heller Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten (heller Hautton)">
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As in, related so hard I spit my tea across the desk. I took a few online tests out of curiosity and these are the questions that really hit home.
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/2" title="I& #39;m going to use myself as an example. In researching #ADHD I& #39;ve come across a few #OCD things that struck a nerve.As in, related so hard I spit my tea across the desk. I took a few online tests out of curiosity and these are the questions that really hit home. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇🏻" title="Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten (heller Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten (heller Hautton)">/2" class="img-responsive" style="max-width:100%;"/>
Those tests freaked me out. So I started digging. Reading journal articles, blog posts & medical websites. I& #39;ve been fixated on this for weeks.
And you know what I& #39;ve learned? That I& #39;m not #OCD.
Here& #39;s why: the traits I identify with are not disabling. 3/
And you know what I& #39;ve learned? That I& #39;m not #OCD.
Here& #39;s why: the traits I identify with are not disabling. 3/
I can stop myself from checking the locks. I can tell myself "no" & walk away with minimal distress. I& #39;ll usually forget about it.
Same with intrusive thoughts. Can I stop them to begin with? No. But can I actively turn my mind away & be done with it? Yes. 4/
Same with intrusive thoughts. Can I stop them to begin with? No. But can I actively turn my mind away & be done with it? Yes. 4/
Compare that to my #ADHD self-dx. Now THAT is game changer. The more I read, the more it fits. None of it is in my control & all of it is disabling.
As in, life-wrecking.
That& #39;s the difference for me. And why I can self-dx #ADHD & at the same time know I& #39;m not #OCD. 5/
As in, life-wrecking.
That& #39;s the difference for me. And why I can self-dx #ADHD & at the same time know I& #39;m not #OCD. 5/
There seems to be a myth that ND ppl want to collect diagnoses. Critics say we& #39;re attention-seeking narcissists. Or lazy & looking for handouts. Or that we& #39;re hypochondriacs.
They also say we& #39;re dangerous, unqualified armchair psychiatrists.
I& #39;ve seen ALL of that this month. 6/
They also say we& #39;re dangerous, unqualified armchair psychiatrists.
I& #39;ve seen ALL of that this month. 6/
But I was never trying TO dx myself. In fact I wanted the opposite. I& #39;ve already got a "formal" autism dx. I really didn& #39;t want another "thing" to deal with.
I mean who the hell would? There& #39;s no prize for being neurodivergent. Anyone who thinks otherwise is delusional. 7/
I mean who the hell would? There& #39;s no prize for being neurodivergent. Anyone who thinks otherwise is delusional. 7/
The truth is most of us are just desperate for answers. Self-dx allows me to understand & accept myself. That is HUGE for my mental health.
And a self-dx in no way detracts or invalidates anyone else& #39;s dx. In fact, the self-dx critics are the ones doing the gatekeeping. 8/
And a self-dx in no way detracts or invalidates anyone else& #39;s dx. In fact, the self-dx critics are the ones doing the gatekeeping. 8/
Not everyone can get a formal dx. The reasons for that are a mile long esp for marginalized people. In my case I don& #39;t have insurance or the money for a dx or a therapist.
Self-dx is often the only option for many of us.
We deserve answers too. Not just the privileged. 9/
Self-dx is often the only option for many of us.
We deserve answers too. Not just the privileged. 9/
And contrary to what critics think, a formal dx does not validate neurodivergency. We don& #39;t come into being simply bc a doctor declares it so. I was born #autistic & #ADHD.
And quite frankly, I trust my opinion more. It& #39;s my mind. Who could possibly know that better than me? 10/
And quite frankly, I trust my opinion more. It& #39;s my mind. Who could possibly know that better than me? 10/
I also need to mention the damage that critics do to already vulnerable people.
It is HARD to accept a self-dx. I& #39;ve struggled w fear, doubt, insecurity & feeling like an imposter. Those struggles resurface ALL THE TIME & create massive anxiety.
Critics only make it worse. 11/
It is HARD to accept a self-dx. I& #39;ve struggled w fear, doubt, insecurity & feeling like an imposter. Those struggles resurface ALL THE TIME & create massive anxiety.
Critics only make it worse. 11/
So to those who are gatekeeping, shaming & vilifying self-diagnosis. Just stop. You are hurting people who are already hurting. Understand?
Our conclusions about ourselves are not yours to police. Self-diagnosis is valid. Your hate & bigotry is not.
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Our conclusions about ourselves are not yours to police. Self-diagnosis is valid. Your hate & bigotry is not.
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