But yet again you're forgetting that not everyone can receive an official screening/diagnoses by a professional. It's very, very simple to have an idea that if someone feels something is wrong, they have the ability to get to a doctor of any kind for a DX. The idea is flawed and it is wrong. My own line of work can tell you that as I have seen women being treated for assault ten years after the fact as they could not find a doctor that A) took their insurance B) had an acceptable sliding scale system.

I dislike when people relate a mental illness to a physical illness. I am extremely ill (chemo for almost a year, physically disabled, etc) and I didn't have insurance when it started. What did I do? I reached out to medical communities online and discussed symptoms. From that, I went down the list and was able to see it was more likely than not an autoimmune disease. When I DID get approved for medicaid, after a load of tests and doctors... it was 2 autoimmune diseases.

Could I have treated myself without the doctors? No, of course not. But that isn't the issue here.

The issue is realizing not everyone is in a position where they can easily access medical care or treatment. Be that because they are in an abusive home/relationship, have had medical traumas from abuse by a physician, or physically cannot get themselves to see someone. An autism screening where I live, for example, runs at $2,500. Out of pocket. As some states do not just screen simply for autism, but for developmental delays meaning you're paying for more than you needed or asked for.

Another example, my brother, who was extremely mentally ill, found a psychiatrist that was on a "sliding scale". What did we pay after insurance covered $200? $3,460. For EACH 45 minute session.

The idea that it is as simple as anything to get a physician to diagnose you is simply ridiculous. Forgoing the recognition of socioeconomic stance as well as ability is reckless, and frankly, quite lazy. It perpetuates the idea that you can only be "really sick" if you managed to get insurance to cover you, or pay out of pocket.

I am not saying self diagnosis leads to self treatment. I am saying that self diagnosis can leave people feeling LESS alone MORE educated, therefore more knowing of free services they can MAYBE obtain for their usage.

Understand, not everyone is lucky enough to have some form of insurance or money to cover screenings. If you are. you're one of the lucky ones.