I think I might be schizophrenic, but I'm afraid if I bring my concerns to a doctor, they'll tell me there's nothing wrong even if there is, because I already think I have it. What do I do?

Well self diagnosis can be very comforting, but isn't always the best route of action, for mental health's sake. Have you talked to anyone else in your life about your worries? As someone who experiences auditory and visual hallucinations fairly often, talking to a loved one or a friend helped me a lot before I ever even considered talking to a doctor about what was going on. I'm very sorry that you have had to deal with this without medical help so far, I know that not being able to trust your own mind due to delusions and paranoia can be really trippy and difficult to cope with.

I have personally never gone through this experience before, and it sounds like you want help with what you are going through, but you are afraid that the doctors will think that it is nothing and you wont get the help you need. I am unable to give specific advice but I am curious to if you have asked you family, school counselors, or close friends. When you are going through tough times like these you really need a shoulder to lean on so that you know that someone else is there. I hope this helps and that you find the help that you are looking for. :)

Being concerned about our physical or mental health, even to the point of taking the time to search for the answer to that question is a bothersome situation itself if persistent and recurring. You sound like you would like to know what's going on and whether your assumptions have a basis, so asking for professional advice for something that concerns you is a responsible way to treat and take care of yourself, and you have every right to! Go ahead and ask for that professional advice and if the doctor you see happens to be an incompatible one you can even have a second opinion by another one. No worries!

Your doctor is there to address your health concerns, whatever they mabe - physical or mental. It's very wise to get anything you're concerned about checked out. When you have, or think you have, a mental illness it's difficult to have personal insight into your condition. Your doctor will be able to take an objective view and refer you to a specialist if he thinks your concerns warrant a referral. I would suggest making an appointment with your doctor and take a written list or letter setting out why you think you may be schizophrenic. Once you've seen him/her you'll have taken the important step towards a diagnosis or not. Being proactive in addressing concerns about mental illness is very important.

It would be a good idea to tell your doctor. If you think that you have it, then it is a good idea to tell a doctor. If I was in your shoes, I would feel the same way too. Doctors will take into account what you have told them and will tell you what is wrong. I know it can be scary going to talk to a doctor, but once you talk to a doctor you will feel so much better knowing if you are schizophrenic. Even if you don't have it, they can help figure out the problem.

If you take your concerns to a doctor or a psychologist and tell them your symptoms, you'll have to undergo symptom testing and diagnosis. The tests will assess symptoms as they are defined in the Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Mental illness. If your doctor dismisses you despite symptoms matching the condition then it would be best to go straight to a psychologist or try another doctor. Symptoms include hallucinations including auditory and visual ones, delusional thoughts and beliefs, and periods of low mood and a sense of being blank in your mind. You may not always have these symptoms.

I know that you are afraid. It’s brave of you to be reaching out. If someone you knew were to ask you what they should do, even if they thought it was nothing, what do you tell them? I know it can be hard to trust someone when you open up about some of the things you are feeling, but it is important to seek professional help in mental health situations. If your doctor is a general doctor may refer you to someone who specializes in mental health to get you the best care. You don’t even need to state why, just ask if they can recommend a mental health professional. The first few steps can be the hardest to take, but you’ve taken a great first step just thinking about reaching out.

A doctor is there not to dismiss your concerns but to evaluate them and get you the help you might need. If you truly are schizophrenic any doctor would welcome the opportunity to assess you and, if validated, begin treating you (or refer you to those who could). It is unlikely a doctor would tell you there's "nothing wrong" if there is, but perhaps it is not schizophrenia, but a different diagnosis. The first step to an accurate diagnosis and a path to treatment is to be evaluated by a doctor and the opportunity to explain your symptoms. There is nothing to fear in doing so. Take the first step.

Professionally qualified doctors are bound by the rules and ethics of their profession to tell everything that a client/ patient should know which includes sharing their diagnosis with the client/ patient. Please feel free to consult one. Your confusion too is understandable; it is normal for people under psychological distress to have feelings of distrust (I would not call it paranoia). [Do not take it as a diagnosis but paranoia is one of the symptoms of schizophrenia]. However, if the doctor feels that sharing the diagnosis in detail will hamper the process of therapy/ recovery, they may give you a rough idea about it. In any case, it would be helpful for you. Hope it helped you.

It's always best to see a professional if you are questioning something like this! They are experienced in working with people who are going through the same feelings you are. They should be able to help you work through these feelings, whether you end up with a diagnosis or not. I understand how nervewracking going to a doctor can be, but they wouldn't lie to you about your condition. If they think you are schizophrenic, they would inform you and work through what that means with you. They are ultimately here to help and to look out for your mental and physical wellbeing!