Hi Grey Matter,

I don't think anyone was insinuating that it was a simple thing to get a physician to diagnose you. Nor do I think that anyone was specifically forgoing socioeconomic stances either.

Many members live in different countries with different socioeconomic situations and different levels of healthcare. Even in the states, each individual state can have different laws regarding help for indigent and/or uninsured people.

I believe that we all do a bit of self diagnosing from time to time, whether it be for a physical or a mental issue. Talking about the issue and getting feedback is important because sometimes it can open up different ideas of what a situation may be and different ideas of how to get diagnosed properly.

One must admit that there are times when a self diagnosis is way off and tending to it ourselves can be not only overwhelming but dangerous as well. That is why it is so important to do ones best in finding the professional help needed.

There is no happy medium here. There are just as many reasons on either side of the coin as to why someone can't find professional help as there is for absolutely needing that professional help. No one can know absolutely what another's situation is, all we can go by is what is told to us via posting on a website.

Those who have posted that it's important to get a professional diagnosis are not wrong anymore than you would be wrong in bringing to light that some people don't have access to professionals. These are simply different ideas and situations on different sides of the coin. There is no ill intent nor laziness on anyone's part here. Both sides of this coin bring important information to the table and can bring about networking and help to others. That's what it's all about here, no?

I know that I appreciate both your insight and that of the other posters here. Thanks so much for everyone's input! Our own personal experiences are very important and very valid.

With care,
sabby