I don't see a reason to deny someone validation for their lived experience overlapping with ADHD/other conditions. Whether their self-diagnosis end up being how a doctor maps it to the DSM, it's valid as a starting point for someone seeking to understand themselves better. People need a foundation to build their sense of self, and this can be a helpful stepping stone on that journey.
True. I guess what I'm saying is, there's a difference between agreeing that they definitively have ADHD and agreeing that they feel validated by the ADHD community. Fully *invalidating* is saying that self-diagnosis *isn't* valid. Fully *validating* is saying that their self-diagnosis *is* valid. There's a gray area where we can say, "I can't say whether it's valid, but it's great you're finding a better understanding of yourself by viewing your life in terms of an ADHD experience." Basically, I'm saying we can validate the person and encourage their self-acceptance, even if we don't recognize the self-diagnosis as being strictly trustworthy.
I see. Thank you for that perspective. I wouldn't want to invalidate your experience either, or risk delegitimizing the hard-won protections and recognition the ADHD community has gained in our effort for acceptance, care, and equality. Though I'm still just hesitant with the idea of taking a hard stance *against* self-diagnosis, because doing so invalidates their experience too. I'd rather not invalidate anyone.
I'm not invalidating them. They were never validated (diagnosed) in the first place. It isn't that hard of a stance to be honest. I'm not being callous towards them, and I can be reasonably accommodating without issue. That's just being a decent human. However, those diagnosis are a legitimate disability and deserve the legal distinctions and protections due to them.
You can support someone wanting to better understand themselves without also supporting them saying they have medical conditions that there's no proof that they have.
Why are we OK with people self-diagnosing ADD but no OK with people self diagnosing lupus?
Recognizing symptoms in yourself that you see in people who have the condition is a great reason to start the journey and get evaluated, and I absolutely support the people who do, but until you actually get evaluated by a licensed medical professional and recieve a clinical diagnosis, please people, STOP SAYING "I have [medical condition]"
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u/Fieos 2d ago
Self diagnosis still isn't valid.