[derektank]

As someone who has gone in to doctors for issues with fatigue, it’s incredibly draining (both emotionally and financially) to be batted around between a PCP and specialists that are unable to provide you with a diagnosis. I don’t blame anyone for just sitting down and trying to learn whatever they can by reading.

I agree with your general thrust of course, you’re much more likely to incorrectly diagnose yourself doing this than correctly, and walking around with a false belief is worse than walking around with uncertainty. But simply saying, “go see a doctor,” is rarely helpful. I’ve never heard of someone who tried to diagnose themselves without first presenting the issue to a physician.

[internet_user]

If you feel tired the treatment is almost always symptomatic: stimulants and wakefulness promoters.

If you sleep over 11 hrs per 24 hours: that’s pathological and they will be prescribed.

Fall asleep faster than X minutes? Same diagnosis, same meds.

Have apnea and yet still fatigued/sleepy after CPAP/surgery? Same meds.

Fulfill criteria for ADHD? Same meds.

Fatigue after TBI? Same meds.

Fatigue with MS? Same meds.

The root cause may or may not be eventually found, but there is no reason to get diagnosed with whatever is most useful to begin at least supporting treatment.