Do you think it is possible to independently identify mental disorders? And if so, how high is the probability of hitting the bull’s eye in this case? Thanks to the fact that the World Wide Web of information has appeared in our lives, we have the opportunity to obtain accessible information about this or that disorder... And of course, in such a situation It’s not at all difficult to start finding various abnormalities in yourself... When I studied at a medical university, this behavior was called “freshman syndrome.” That is why many patients, when they come to an appointment, already know exactly what is wrong with them, and offer the doctor to cure that disease which they themselves diagnosed... And I encounter this quite often... And now, everything seems to be fine, it is quite obvious to the patient that: “I’m panicking, I’m shaking, I’m afraid to die, Look, doctor, my diagnosis according to ICD criteria is panic disorder, which is unclear.” Yes, it would seem that everything is simple, but such a symptom complex is not always found in panic disorder... such symptoms can also occur in other anxiety states, and even... in schizophrenia (but are not the main ones) Or another option, a person comes and says: “Doctor, I definitely have schizophrenia.... I need to be treated,” and here most often it goes by.... “I’m depressed, I can’t enjoy life!” ... A very common complaint, but in most cases, behind this type of complaint lies adaptation disorder or other anxiety spectrum disorders. But all of the above diagnoses, “based on the principle of self-diagnosis,” pale in comparison to bipolar affective disorder.... Now this is the most " fashionable" diagnosis... Of all the clients who have come to me over the past few years with a "ready-made diagnosis" - 80-90 percent diagnosed themselves with bipolar disorder.... And with about the same percentage - it is incorrect... The saddest thing is, that some even tried to take mood stabilizers... In general, if you have suspicions about your mental state, it is better not to try to diagnose yourself, this can lead to loss of time and effort... it is better to consult a specialist. And even more so, you shouldn’t take medications based on your own diagnostic methods..