Self-diagnosis

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Self-diagnosis is the process of diagnosing, or identifying, medical conditions in oneself. It may be assisted by medical dictionaries, books, resources on the Internet, past personal experiences, or recognizing symptoms or medical signs of a condition that a family member previously had.

Self-diagnosis is prone to error and may be potentially dangerous if inappropriate decisions are made on the basis of the misdiagnosis.[1] Because of the risks, self-diagnosis is officially discouraged by governments,[1] physicians, and patient care organizations. Even physicians are discouraged from engaging in self-diagnosis,[2] because even doctors make mistakes in diagnosing themselves.[3] If the self-diagnosis is wrong, then the misdiagnosis can result in improper health care, including wrong treatments and lack of care for serious conditions.[4]

However, a self-diagnosis may be entirely appropriate.[5][6] All over-the-counter (non-prescription) medications are offered on the assumption that people are capable of self-diagnosis.[5] Some conditions are more likely to be self-diagnosed, especially simple conditions such as headlice and skin abrasions or familiar conditions such as menstrual cramps, headache or the common cold.

Complex conditions for which medications are heavily advertised, including conditions like ADHD in adults,[7] present a more challenging situation. Direct-to-consumer marketing of medications is widely criticized for promoting inappropriate self-diagnosis.[8][9] Other conditions that are commonly self-diagnosed include celiac disease,[10]

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[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Health information on the Internet - Better Health Channel.. Retrieved on 2008-03-23.
  2. ^ AHRQ WebM&M: Case & Commentary. Retrieved on 2008-03-23.
  3. ^ A case of self-diagnosis.. Retrieved on 2008-03-23.
  4. ^ CRICO/RMF - Case Studies - High Risk Areas - Diagnosis - Reliance on Patient’s Self Diagnosis Obscures Fatal Condition. Retrieved on 2008-03-23.
  5. ^ a b Peter D. Stonier; Fletcher, Andrew; Lionel D. Edwards; Fox, Anthony D (2002). Principles and practice of pharmaceutical medicine. New York: Wiley, 142. ISBN 0-471-98655-0. 
  6. ^ Curbside Consultation - August 1, 2006 -- American Family Physician. Retrieved on 2008-03-23.
  7. ^ Conrad, Peter (2007). The Medicalization of Society: On the Transformation of Human Conditions into Treatable Disorders. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 59. ISBN 0-8018-8585-X. 
  8. ^ Self diagnosis from TV drug ads can be dangerous. Retrieved on 2008-03-23.
  9. ^ AMA (Professionalism) E-5.015 Direct-to-consumer advertisements of prescription drugs. Retrieved on 2008-03-23.
  10. ^ Clinic Handbook: Gastroenterology by J L H Wong (Editor), I. A. Murray (Editor), S. H. Hussaini (Editor), H. R. Dalton (Editor). ISBN 978-1859960530. Page 151.