Is it okay to self-diagnose with information from the internet?
Therapy Navigation
Self-diagnosis can be a helpful starting point, but it's not a substitute for a professional evaluation, which is needed for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Using the internet to understand your symptoms can be a helpful first step in seeking help. It can give you language for your experience and make you feel less alone. However, self-diagnosis is not a substitute for a professional evaluation. A trained clinician can consider the full context of your life, rule out other conditions, and provide an accurate diagnosis. Misdiagnosis can lead to ineffective or even harmful treatment. Use your research to have an informed conversation with a professional, but leave the final diagnosis to them.