Choose wisely and do your research for the best practitioners available to you.
I found seeking professional help is a very hard route to get help. Most practitioners have little time or energy to keep up to date with the world's understanding for many of these conditions.
Once more they continue to try and categorise individuals into general boxes where one thing suits all. If we are individuals we need individual treatment that suits our needs more directly. For example DBT and CBT therapy in group settings I found to be extremely triggering or insulting as they often are run by inexperienced people who have ticked a few boxes and not actually given proper time to get to know you and your needs before sending you on what feels like a rollercoaster with essentially no seat belt. And yes this can be high risk if you are faced with an extremely worn down professional too.
Be aware of their restricted time to dedication that they once may have had when they decided upon their choice to take a career into medicine in the first place, also many doctors often become doctors for the money, and just like the pharmaceutical companies this is their only interest.
The pros and cons through my experience have been mainly con based but also don't shut them out completely as they have access to get you things such as blood test and referrals that although not always apparently helpful, can help you gain further insight to your own needs. They are also necessary to get a diagnosis if treatment is an option you decide you want.
Without a diagnosis it is also hard to connect with charities that are directed at your needs as many of them require this to allow you to register. My understanding is that this is due to the high demand they face from years of outdated knowledge and services via the normal routes.
If you decide to seek professional help in any field, I strongly recommend that you do deep research into your queries and go armed with documentation and print out of pages that back up your theories. Most doctors will hate this, but you know you have a found a genuinely supportive person when they are willing to acknowledge your efforts and ask to take a copy for their own reading. They are the doctors to stick with even if it takes some more discussions and time for them to catch up.
Seek out the most experienced specialists available to you and also don't be afraid to lean on medical knowledge from other countries. Generally the NHS for example, their knowledge and what they accept about many of these conditions can be out of date by about 20-30 years behind some of the rest of the world.
There are many medical publication sites where clinical studies are published regularly updating knowledge and theories. Again only in February this year a paper was released explain about comorbid conditions of ADHD and Autism having a higher rate of Vitamin B12 deficiency than any condition alone, yet I have often been offered mind altering medicines before even a blood test has been requested by my GP.
I always like to check the NHS website for their advice in comparison too. Although it used to shock me at the vagueness compared to elsewhere I have now come to expect this with whatever subject I decide to look into next. So just be aware it can differ so much between different organisations and countries. Doing as much reading as you can on any subject concerning you is a must at all times.
Added bonus is you get to learn how to describe your personal situation more effectively moving forward, this is also a great benefit to loved ones and anyone offering support to you of a non- professional capacity.
NOTE: I do not recommend self administration of any combination of medicines without professional help. This includes Vitamins and supplements as they can counteract the desired effects.
For more resources and links to seeking Professional help see our Resource pages.
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