[ls15]

> PLEASE do not read any of these people's advice. Talk to a MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL, preferably a DOCTOR. DO NOT trust your mental health to strangers on the internet, be it reddit, or hacker news, or whatever.

I find this comment so overused, ignorant and dismissive. In my city it can take months to get a 20 minute appointment with a specialized doctor, while the internet is full of useful and scientific information and helpful people. That isn't even saying if the doctor really understands your problem or just dismisses it (had that often enough), like you dismiss other people's anecdotes. What are people supposed to do while they are waiting for an appointment for months with acute issues? I'd rather spend days myself and read the same information that a doctor (hopefully) would read in order to work on the problem before it gets worse or kills me.

So yes, try to talk to a medical professional at least once if you have the chance. If not or if it does not help, keep doing what you need to do and try to get the best information that you can find.