3 ms·

I see accepting self diagnosis online as a practical measure. Since it is not possible for an online community to ascertain wether someone qualifies for a diagn

I see accepting self diagnosis online as a practical measure. Since it is not possible for an online community to ascertain wether someone qualifies for a diagnosis or not, discussing it is entirely unproductive and a wasp's nest. That doesn't mean everyone truly share's the same diagnosis, only that there's nothing to gain by doubting what they're saying. A lot of people arrive at these communities due to their insecurities and personal pain, and it's not helpful to go around pointing fingers saying "you're not part of this group". They're support groups, not medical boards.

faeriechangling 4y ago
It's not a matter of simply pointing fingers though, even alluding to there being a general issue is controversial, virtually all opinions other than "We're not experts but you're probably disabled" are wrong. You mention going to doctors, if somebody goes to a doctor, and the doctor says they're disabled people say congratulations, if the doctor says they're not disabled people will criticise and say "bad doctor, doesn't know their job, see another doctor until you find a REAL doctor". This TikTok thing is a fantastical world where the more visibly and stereotypically disabled you act, and the more diagnosis's you have, the more people give you positive attention. The presumption is though that it would be a terrible burden to impose on somebody to tell them they aren't disabled is what has brought us to the status quo in the article. My experience is that a lot of the time, being diagnosed doesn't help people, and in fact subjects them to stigma, it does result in reification. I've seen people react to labelling themselves with a disability with significant self-destructive personality changes caused by self-victimisation. Mostly I feel resentful towards the medical system who really caused this nonsense to be inevitable by making people feel nobody will help them unless they apply some unflattering label to themselves first thus making them insurable.
- prox 4y ago
  Still afaik I don’t think it’s effective to mingle in that community. People sometimes need to come to conclusions on their own, and adversial stances usually don’t work, especially if there is a feeling of victimhood or other insecurities playing along. This is especially true online where advocating for A automatically seems to mean you are against B. The labels aren’t the problem per se, but how we go about treatment, communication and building healthy psyches and ego is.
- bananamerica 4y ago
  A correct diagnosis will help if it leads to adequate treatment. Sadly, not all diagnosis are correct, and not all treatments are equally effective for a given patient. I agree with your assessment that unhelpful group behaviors are fueled by a failure by the health community in addressing these issues. I would also add that we're facing a societal failure which may lead perfectly healthy individuals to "treat" their pains by exaggerating their idiosyncrasies in order to be accepted in a group that they feel is more protected and understood. And the sad part is that this perception that they will be automatically protected and understood by a diagnosis is largely false, and you're right: a diagnosis can make many things worse. I would trade all "protection and understanding" I got from my diagnosis for the ability to wake up every day and be able to function without pumping meds into my brain.

faeriechangling 4y ago

It's not a matter of simply pointing fingers though, even alluding to there being a general issue is controversial, virtually all opinions other than "We're not experts but you're probably disabled" are wrong. You mention going to doctors, if somebody goes to a doctor, and the doctor says they're disabled people say congratulations, if the doctor says they're not disabled people will criticise and say "bad doctor, doesn't know their job, see another doctor until you find a REAL doctor". This TikTok thing is a fantastical world where the more visibly and stereotypically disabled you act, and the more diagnosis's you have, the more people give you positive attention. The presumption is though that it would be a terrible burden to impose on somebody to tell them they aren't disabled is what has brought us to the status quo in the article. My experience is that a lot of the time, being diagnosed doesn't help people, and in fact subjects them to stigma, it does result in reification. I've seen people react to labelling themselves with a disability with significant self-destructive personality changes caused by self-victimisation. Mostly I feel resentful towards the medical system who really caused this nonsense to be inevitable by making people feel nobody will help them unless they apply some unflattering label to themselves first thus making them insurable.

prox 4y ago
Still afaik I don’t think it’s effective to mingle in that community. People sometimes need to come to conclusions on their own, and adversial stances usually don’t work, especially if there is a feeling of victimhood or other insecurities playing along. This is especially true online where advocating for A automatically seems to mean you are against B. The labels aren’t the problem per se, but how we go about treatment, communication and building healthy psyches and ego is.
bananamerica 4y ago
A correct diagnosis will help if it leads to adequate treatment. Sadly, not all diagnosis are correct, and not all treatments are equally effective for a given patient. I agree with your assessment that unhelpful group behaviors are fueled by a failure by the health community in addressing these issues. I would also add that we're facing a societal failure which may lead perfectly healthy individuals to "treat" their pains by exaggerating their idiosyncrasies in order to be accepted in a group that they feel is more protected and understood. And the sad part is that this perception that they will be automatically protected and understood by a diagnosis is largely false, and you're right: a diagnosis can make many things worse. I would trade all "protection and understanding" I got from my diagnosis for the ability to wake up every day and be able to function without pumping meds into my brain.