Some reasons why self diagnoses (self dxes) are valid, in context of disability/neurodivergence/acute illness/chronic illness:
- We diagnose ourselves already. Examples:
- minor medical problems (eg the cold, broken bones)
- allergies
- neurotypicality
- transness
- It can help with a prof dx (professional diagnosis)
- Prof dxes are not accessible financially or equitably to all.
- Some people do not trust the medical system.
- External validation not needed for dx
- Services not available for certain segments of the population
- Need access to disability/ND/sick community now not later
- A diagnosis is not inherently medical. It is a group of things under one name.