Self Diagnosis. A Danger To Your Health.

The motto of the medical profession is, "Life is short. The Art is long". Any doctor will tell you that they never cease learning about their profession until they die. People and their medical problems are extremely complex. There is another saying that is relative and it comes from the legal profession. "A person who defends themselves in court has a fool for a client". An 'expertise' and legal knowledge is required in court that the ordinary person does not have. I would suggest that this also applies here. "People who diagnose themselves have fools for patients". The temptation in Health Anxiety to self diagnose is great. But a diagnosis depends on many factors. General health, weight, hereditary factors, gender, and whether you have done five years in medical school and three years post graduate training!! As a man, I may have morning sickness but that does not mean I am pregnant!!! Headlines are made when a doctor gets it wrong. (Good news is not news!). But every day millions of good and correct diagnosis are made. No one, but no one, should diagnose disease except a qualified medical practitioner. I was horrified to hear, on this site, that a 'therapist' had diagnosed a patient medically. NO good Alternative Medicine practitioner will EVER diagnose medical conditions. You should ALWAYS be referred to your GP. Good Alternative practitioners have, what they call, 'Red Flags'. They see a possible medical problem and refer you to your doctor. They can treat you in their own field but diagnosis, no! A good diagnostician is an expert in his/her field and should never be second guessed by the layman. We may be 'experts' when it comes to 'nerves', aren't we just! But medicine, no. So get reassurance from your GP (essential) if you THINK you have a medical condition, but NEVER do a self diagnosis. A great mistake and it can certainly damage your health. Love to all. jonathan.

[stde]

Yes johnathan,....when your washing machIne breaks down you don,t phone the chimney sweep..........

[swanlinnet]

I used to counsel doctors who are addicted to heroin and alcohol !

[swanlinnet in reply to swanlinnet]

BTW, I do not have medical degree

[Hidden in reply to swanlinnet]

Yes, but did you diagnose disease? Counselling is one thing diagnosis is another. (Sorry, dont see the connection). I knew a lorry driver who drank and drove. A nurse who was addicted to cannabis. Are we saying all doctors and nurses are addicts? Or all lorry drivers are a menace on the roads? All I am saying is that WE, as non medical people, should not diagnose ourselves. Health Anxiety has almost reached epidemic proportions and Dr. Google and self diagnosis definitely do not help. Best wishes. j.

[swanlinnet]

Hiya Jon' ....Just saying ...not making any point ...if any it would be :-

"Physician Heal Thyself ."

In other words, the treatment of some 'illnesses' are beyond what doctors can themselves comprehend let alone 'treat'.

Have a good day Jon'

[swanlinnet]

I agree Jon ', we have to bring in a 'third party' ...be it counsellor, doctor or minister to help us.

[Hidden in reply to swanlinnet]

Sorry, swan, not to have come back before. You are so right and you do speak from experience. We sometimes forget doctors are human too. We are fortunate to have excellant GP's near us. Some are not so lucky. Best Wishes.. j.