Why Do People Hate Self-Diagnosers?

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It wasn't written nor do I think it was implied in the post that the person would have the condition.

Stating that one is autistic implies a diagnosis because the label only exists as a diagnosis in the first place. You could be officially diagnosed and not actually be autistic. Nobody can directly 'see' autism.

A diagnosis is done by a professional. Conjecture is done by lay people. One can be just as good as the other, but don't be calling it the wrong thing. Learn what words mean, that's all I'm saying.

Absolutely right....a diagnosis doesn't "create" the condition.

It can serve more as a confirmation of a strong, quite possibly correct, impression.

Well, reading it I got the impression they were speaking about both groups equally, so we'll have to agree to differ on that.

An actual diagnosis can only be given by a professional. Otherwise it's just a guess. Why is that such a problem for you to get? Nobody is saying that anybody who self dx's is always wrong or it's not a valuable opinion. I'm just saying that it's an assumption and a guess and not the actual diagnosis. You want to have a layman's dx to be equal with an MD's? Lets extend that to physical ailments and conditions as well then, shall we? I don't think anybody is dumb enough to say that medical professionals should take a patients self dx at their word and begin to treat for it without checking themselves. I've got a lot of headaches, therefore I have a brain tumor and need surgery. It fits on WebMD, I bet I have one. I want it taken out. I diagnosed myself there so there is no need for an MRI or anything. Get in there and start cutting! See how stupid that would be? It's the same way to take as fact that anybody has anything they dx'd themselves. Really, the only condition that would be able to self dx would be depression because that's an emotion.

There is a wide gray area between those options. Plenty of botched diagnoses have been described on WrongPlanet.net where professionals appear to know less about ASD diagnoses than their clients. While I would doubt an individual who based his (or her) self awareness of ASD on a television program or news report alone, I haven't ever learned of an individual who acted in this manner. Most self-awareness activities described on WrongPlanet.net involve reading about diagnostic criteria, studying professionally written books and research papers about ASD, listing personal characteristics, and, most importantly, completing at least one self-reported screening test published by a reputable organization. Eva Hesselmark et al. wrote recently in "Autism Spectrum Disorders and Self-reports -- Testing Validity and Reliability" ( http://link.springer.com/article/10.100 ... 014-2275-7 ) that "...the present results support the use of self-reported measures when assessing adults with ASD." So, a professional diagnosis isn't the only way to accomplish a better self awareness for those individuals who don't need or desire a professional assessment, or where one is prohibitively out of reach.

I'm not saying that they are wrong. I'm saying that it's not an actual diagnosis. I could easily tap you on the shoulders and say I declare you Sir Utah, but since I'm not the Queen of England, you aren't a knight. I'm not knighting you, I'm just babbling. I could also do a bunch of research and decide you had AS or some type of mental disorder and say you had it and say I'm diagnosing you with it, but without credentials, again, I'm just babbling. An actual diagnosis can only be given by a professional. Otherwise it's a guess. Why is that so hard to understand? It's not a matter of being correct or not, it's a matter of who has the ability to officially diagnose someone.

I understand the legality of those who are licensed to diagnose. But, as I wrote, for some adults who don't need or desire educational, governmental or professional supports, at least, jumping through the professional hoops of cost, distance and ability to achieve a piece of paper isn't convincing to them. Self awareness is. I haven't ever learned of an individual who claimed to be diagnosed when, in fact, he or she wasn't. Even among those for whom a diagnosis is desired for personal curiosity, most say that they have always believed it. And, with screening tests appearing to match the diagnostic abilities of professionals, an individual's curiosity might be satisfied with just a screening test and a lifetime of knowing that he or she was different. More importantly, no animals are harmed in the act of self awareness. If you know of any individuals who claim self diagnosis where making such a claim has led to a criminal act, I would be interested to know about it. Otherwise, it is merely an argument from authority.

Yes....

"Self-diagnosis" = "educated guess"
"Professional diagnosis" = "official diagnosis/certification by a professional who knows what to look for, objectively speaking"

I completely agree that only the second is valid for getting services, etc. As I have said before, I have stopped at the first due to my age, gender and general lack of available professionals in the field in my area...plus, I don't need services that an official diagnosis would allow me to have (at least for now).

Self-diagnosing has given me some peace of mind about my own behavior and "quirks" (for lack of a better term). That's all. No one else "has to" accept that it's "really true" - it's simply "true enough" for myself. I am not looking for "special treatment" - in fact, quite the opposite: having "labeled" myself with AS enables me to "check" myself and adapt to daily living far better than if I didn't "know."

I have told very few people IRL. It's come down to a coping mechanism for me.

Exactly.

Yes, exactly.

This might be a good point to close the discussion, it's just going round in circles.

My thought exactly.

Been observing this and each reply posted.

It seems you are arguing about different things. You agree but don't see it. At least for the most part.

In any case everyone will have different opinions. Humans are stubborn creatures and are not going to change no matter how much you repeat to them what you think and why and why you think what they think is wrong.

It really is about time this discussion ended. This subject is causing arguments and not just in this thread.

Yes - very much so. "Self-" and "professional" are two completely different categories. The acceptance of one does not "invalidate" the other - they are separate.



YES. 'Nuff said.

I am curious:

#1 - What about the case where a person claims to have Asperger’s, but doesn’t? Does that then become a case of misrepresentation? Or simply an honest mistake?
#2 – Outside of WP, why would anyone who has undiagnosed Asperger’s (i.e. has the condition, yet without the clinical diagnosis) claim (to another person) to have this condition? For validation? For understanding? And, what happens if the other person’s responds inappropriately (e.g. “Have you considered seeking a professional opinion on this?”). By the way, from my perspective, the only people to make such a claim to (of having a particular condition) are medical professionals (or anyone else, where support or accommodations are needed). Of course, as typical, I am probably missing something.

IMO, "honest mistake" - again, this is why the distinction between "self-diagnosed" and "professionally diagnosed" should be made.



Perhaps, to explain to one's family and/or friends why they are the way they are. Granted, this can have mixed results.

If someone asks this, I would say to simply tell the truth: "I am looking into getting a professional diagnosis, when I can find someone to do it correctly" or "not necessary at the present time, but it helps me understand myself better." (Granted, the latter of these responses might be met with more doubt, or worse.)

As I said, a self-diagnosis is largely for self-understanding. Someone who needs services should (of course) go the professional diagnosis route.

Hope that answered what you were asking....