How to Handle Patients Who Self-Diagnose With the advent of technology, people are reaching out to Google to get an answer for just about anything. The world of the internet feels tempting, as it is able to quickly resolve any query that a person may have. However when it comes to medical conditions, this may not always be true. People often choose the self-diagnosing path to avoid seeing a doctor. However, self-diagnosing yourself over the internet can do more harm than good. People who self-diagnose assume that they know the details the diagnosis constitutes. But they do not know that this process can be very dangerous as they can miss nuances of the diagnosis. For instance, people with moodswings often feel that they are suffering from bipolar disorder, however the symptoms can be a part of another condition entirely. Another danger of self-diagnosing diseases, is that you may neglect medical conditions that subterfuge other diseases. Thus, if you are suffering from one condition, you may miss the diagnosis of another. If you start treating the disorder with over-the-counter drugs, you might completely overlook the medical syndrome. Self-diagnosing a disease undermines the role of the doctor. It is important that you trust your doctor, and if you are not able to do so, try changing doctors, but avoid self-diagnosis. You should have an active discussion with your doctor and if you are unsure about the their diagnosis, seek the opinion of another doctor. One of the greatest dangers of self-diagnosing is that patients often end up thinking they are sicker than they actually are. Eventually, you make things worse by worrying about something that doesn't even exist. Selfdiagnosis usually occurs when you are in a state of denial, and don’t want to walk up to a doctor to get the right diagnosis. Communication is Important Communication is key to a good relationship. If a patient has diagnosed their symptoms incorrectly, make sure you approach the situation delicately. Acknowledge the effort he has put into it, and help them diagnose the disease correctly, educating them on various diagnosing techniques related to the disease they suffer from.
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