Why Self-Diagnosing Does More Harm Than Good
How many times have you gone on the internet to quickly find out why your stomach is hurting?
With information just a few clicks away in today’s day and age, individuals are resorting to self-diagnosis by looking up symptoms online. While this may help an individual understand their symptoms and seek help from a doctor, some of them are inclined to take it upon themselves to seek treatment. This can become exceptionally complex when it comes to mental health.
In addition to that, mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and trauma are some of the terms that people are still scared to use when discussing their mental health because of the stigma attached to it. Hence, even after identifying symptoms, people may be in denial, which can further worsen their symptoms.
Let’s take a look at why self-diagnosis can be detrimental.
You can miss physical causes for mental health issues
The effects of deteriorating mental health can also manifest in the form of physical symptoms. For instance, research shows that clinical depression is often accompanied by physical pain.
If someone is attempting to self-diagnose, they may only look at the mental symptoms of their condition and overlook the physical symptoms—ultimately leading to a misdiagnosis that can prevent them from seeking treatment for their condition immediately.
You put yourself at higher risk by delaying treatment
For many, self-diagnosis is often followed by a self-made treatment plan—an individual may take it upon themselves to go to the store and buy medication to treat physical symptoms or they could decide not to seek treatment at all, both of which will worsen their condition.
Delaying treatment for mental health issues means that it won’t be long before an individual finds themselves in a dark place and becomes more dysfunctional with each passing day.
Your denial can lead to false conclusions
When it comes to self-diagnosing mental health problems, an individual will find that they’re uncomfortable with some of the symptoms. For instance, if an individual suspects that they have depression, they may stop considering the possibility altogether after they see that it can lead to mistreatment of others.
This denial that stems from the discomfort associated with a few symptoms can lead an individual to sacrifice accuracy for their own convince—which can be detrimental.
If you’re in a similar situation and suspect that you may require treatment, don’t put your life and mental well-being in jeopardy by attempting to self-diagnose and treat your symptoms. Find a reliable medical expert or certified therapist who can help you out.
If you’re looking for one in Winder, our mental health clinic Winder can help you.
At Comprehensive Counseling Services, LLC, we offer individual counseling and group therapy services such as drug rehabilitation services Winder, family violence intervention, and anger management therapy in Winder.
Learn more about our services today.
