I have a pretty good sense and knowledge, but obviously not professional level. Let's say I've been around the block more than a few times. Many past hospitalizations, IOPs, DBSA meetings, a handful of psychology classes including Abnormal Psych, read lots of books including the DSM-5. But still...Also met people in AA and knew/know plenty of people with various dxs.

I will say that I've met a few therapists in the past that didn't seem that knowledgeable. And many that were. Some pdocs that barely gave patients the "time of day" and ones who clearly knew their stuff...and even cared.

I would never choose to become a psychologist or psychiatrist, despite my interest in the studies. My study has simply been out of curiosity and to better understand my own situation and a little about others', but it's complicated, for sure. I couldn't hack being a tdoc or pdoc, for many reasons.