Hmm...

[LizzieRose]

Is it okay to research things like OCD, Bipolar Disorder, etc. to compare the signs and symptoms to myself in order to have like a little list of things I can ask a professional to look into when I can finally get the chance to go to one to get help?

Like I just wanna have some sort of way of starting off once I can finally get to that stage. I thought having a list of things I think is worth looking into would really help the therapist or whoever I see try to start helping me.

Cause like when I meet people, it just feels awkward to me to just sit there and suddenly spout out random crap especially very personal stuff. I thought the list would make the direction of the conversation more clear and less awkward.

I dunno. Maybe I'm just being stupid. .-.

[baggyjeans]

I have once before made a list of my symptoms. That's quite a good idea.

[Phells]

As far as the research, I think that is something that you have to decide on your own opinion. On one hand, looking up symptoms might cause you to find extra things that you might not have been bothered by before, so you sort of nitpick at all your little flaws. On the other hand, if you are having trouble putting what you feel into words, it could definitely help.

I however, could not have gotten through any of my initial therapy appointments without a list of things that were troubling for me. That way you don't have to worry about missing something or your mind going blank. So I'd suggest that whether you do research or not.

I don't think you're being stupid at all, by the by.

[talaiporia]

I don't think looking them up and making a list is a good idea. As someone once said, the DSM isn't a shopping list. Whether you mean it or not, you will find if you look things up, either thinking "I have that" or even acting towards them, because it's human nature.

By all means, make a list of symptoms and problems you currently have, but don't go 'researching' symptoms because all that will happen is you will think you have symptoms you don't, and it will confuse the therapist.

[LizzieRose]

Well, I see your point there, talaiporia. Though when I do do this kinda stuff, I tend to just watch myself for a period of time after looking something up before I'm all like "OMG DATZ MEH". Even so, I'm not all set in stone with the list in my head. Things could possibly change my mind and I cross things out. I try to be as not stubborn with this as possible and it's so far worked. Besides, I wouldn't say everything on there the first time. Just the things that I have VERY high suspicions of (like as high at Mt. Everest) which is actually only one thing really. xD The other stuff on the list I'd just mention the symptoms of which makes me suspect it, not the actual thing, to see what they can make of it if they believe it's that or maybe even something completely different.

Besides, I don't even look things up that frequently. Maybe once every few months or so. Not everyday. So it's not like I have a whole huge list. In fact, I think my list is around five anyway even though I've looked into many differents thing (I do admit that there was a period where I searched things up a lot, but even then I didn't find anything that made the list that I have today).