what harm did it do for the person in my post who self diagnosed with bipolar disorder when she had perimenopause/ menopause...she ended up on medication for bipolar which causes a non bipolar person to have suicidal feelings, hallucinations and delusions, not to mention many physical health problems due to having medication she did not need. she ended up in the hospital psych ward where they took her off the bipolar meds and told her that they were going to start out with a clean slate, to disregard everything she found online and what others have told her. to relax, let the professionals do their job. she was placed on hormones (the birth control pill rather than the bipolar meds) and she was fine. if she had not tried to self diagnose she could have saved herself a whole years worth of problems, a hefty emergency hospitalization bill, and loss of her job, loss of friends.

no she did not realize she was pregnant, (yes it is possible to be pregnant with out missing a period,and with out morning sickness and no weight gain.) if she had gone to a doctor rather then self diagnosing she would have found out she was pregnant and that anemia (not enough red blood cells to carry oxygen in her body) can cause a person to have hallucinations and delusions. instead she self diagnosed with schizophrenia. she could have saved herself and her future daughter a lot of problems if she had been correctly diagnosed with pregnancy anemia rather than self diagnosing. when she finally did go to her psychiatrist he sent her to the medical doctor to rule out a few physical things that can cause hallucinations/delusions, at which point she discovered she was pregnant.

no if anemia isnt treated during pregnancy that means the baby isnt getting enough nutrients and oxygen. anemia is when a persons body due to lack of iron doesnt produce red blood cells. red blood cells carry nutrients and oxygen through the body. her daughter ended up with many physical problems and deformities because she didnt develop correctly in the womb due to lack of oxygen and nutrients.

self diagnosing may be ok for you but ....for me and those I know....I do not recommend it. and do not believe its in the best interest and I believe it does more harm then good.