[shinkikker]

I am a psych minor in college and find myself very interested in psychology, and often when I'm studying the subject I find reflections of myself in certain disorders. I know not to self diagnose, but there are some disorders I really think I qualify for and I'm not sure how to bring this up with my therapist and psychiatrist. I feel like they will think I am diagnosing myself and that they know me better than I do. I don't know, has anyone encountered this? Any advice?

[perseverance11]

Originally Posted by shinkikker

I am a psych minor in college and find myself very interested in psychology, and often when I'm studying the subject I find reflections of myself in certain disorders. I know not to self diagnose, but there are some disorders I really think I qualify for and I'm not sure how to bring this up with my therapist and psychiatrist. I feel like they will think I am diagnosing myself and that they know me better than I do. I don't know, has anyone encountered this? Any advice?

Hello,

I think you should talk of that to your therapist.
Maybe doing some tests will help.

But do not diagnose yourself without a specialist's opinion.

Have a nice day!

Apparently this is quite common when you are studying psychology but if you have a serious concern over your health its better to put your mind at ease then be constantly worried. Good luck.

At least for me, the interest in psychology came well before my disorders. I always knew I was weird... But I never thought about what I read when I recognized my problems. The symptoms were bad enough on their own & only later on did I realize I read about all of that stuff for the last few years.
Everyone has at least one or two symptoms here & there. It's common in self-diagnosis to take every last little concern, stressor, or eccentricity & slap a label on it. Everyone dissociates due to stress every once in a while. Pretty much most if not all people experience anxiety. A great number of people have obsessions, compulsions, or rituals. Oftentimes, even people without any mental illness will sometimes hear voices or see disturbances in their peripherals. And another very common phenomena in "neurotypical" people is psychosomatic pain -- I doubt you've never heard of anyone with neck pain/headaches from mental tension!
It's only a "diagnosis" if it's bad enough that it impedes your functioning. From what it sounds like, you are constantly bombarded by the idea of mental illness & are making yourself anxious. But if these things have been present & very prominent, I'd consider seeing a therapist or counselor of some sort...
And if you're still worrying yourself, maybe I'd still suggest it because it seems you're having a difficult time coping with the stress of being uncertain. Even if you don't have some type of disorder, that doesn't mean you wouldn't benefit from a psychologist.

[shezbut]

I majored in psychology, as i found it both easy & fascinating! I hoped that I could figure out my family, but was still largely unaware of my own problems. Thank goodness!!! Otherwise, I probably would have gone haywire trying to do papers galore on my own psyche!

I don't think that it's wrong to apply some of what you're learning to your own life. Heck, that's a human thing to do! The thing NOT to do is to focus on your own problems, disengaging with the rest of things or ignoring other key factors to receiving proper diagnoses. Even professional doctors can't diagnose themselves properly, due to our own perspectives being in the way at times. We may get it right sometimes, but not always! So, it's best to get another professional to give their diagnosis and guidance for treatment.

Very best wishes to you!!