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What to Do If You Think You’ve Been Misdiagnosed
- Dr Titilayo Akinsola
- Oct 9
- 4 min read
Misdiagnosis in mental health isn’t just frustrating—it can delay the right treatment, cause unnecessary side effects, and take an emotional toll. If you suspect that the diagnosis you have is wrong, it’s important to act—not out of blame, but out of self-advocacy, clarity, and the goal of better healing.
Here’s what you can do, step by step, and how Favor Mental Health supports you through the process.
Why Misdiagnosis Happens (Quick Recap)
Before we dive into what to do, it helps to understand why misdiagnosis is common in mental health:
Overlapping symptoms (many disorders share features like sleep problems, mood changes, anxiety)
Incomplete histories (not enough information about past mood swings, trauma, substance use, medical conditions)
Biases/cultural misunderstandings
Rushed evaluations or lack of follow-up
Evolving mental health (symptoms that change over time)
Knowing this helps you feel less “wrong” or “paranoid”—diagnosis is a process, not a one-shot event.
Step-by-Step: What You Can Do If Misdiagnosed
Here are concrete steps to take if you believe your diagnosis is wrong. Some overlap with any medical misdiagnosis, but there are special things in mental health to consider.
Step | What to Do | Why It Helps |
1. Keep a Detailed Symptom Journal | Record your symptoms: when they started, how long they last, what makes them better or worse, the intensity. Include mood, sleep, appetite, thoughts, behavior changes. Also note medications, life stressors, relevant physical health, etc. | Gives you and a provider clearer data to compare what you believe vs what the diagnosis suggests. Helps spot patterns you may miss. |
2. Gather Past Medical Records / Therapy Notes | Collect past diagnoses, treatment histories, lab results, therapy notes, medications tried, how you responded. | Helps you and new providers see the full picture—and maybe spot things previously overlooked. |
3. Ask Clarifying Questions with Your Current Provider | Communicate your concerns respectfully: “I’m still having symptoms X, Y, Z despite treatment,” or “I read about condition A which seems similar; could my diagnosis be reconsidered?” | Sometimes providers missed something; being open can trigger re-evaluation. Also ensures you feel heard. |
4. Seek a Second Opinion | Find another mental health professional—a psychiatrist, psychologist, or specialist in the disorder you suspect. Bring your records, journals, and concerns. | A fresh pair of eyes might see something different. Different clinicians emphasize different diagnostic criteria; this helps avoid “diagnostic anchoring.” |
5. Reflect on What You Know & What You Feel | Educate yourself (using reliable sources) about possible alternative diagnoses: symptoms, treatment options. Note what fits / doesn’t fit you. Also recognize your own experience of being wronged or frustrated—that feeling is valid. | Understanding helps you advocate better. Also helps reduce the anxiety & self-doubt that often come with misdiagnosis. |
6. Adjust Treatment as Needed | Once a new or revised diagnosis is established, be ready to change treatment: could be different medications, therapy style, lifestyle changes. Don’t stop any medication without consulting a provider. | The right treatment aligned with correct diagnosis usually works better and with fewer side effects. |
7. Seek Emotional Support | Talk to a therapist, trusted friend, or support group about how misdiagnosis has affected you—anger, fear, disappointment, identity questions are normal. | Helps process the emotional fallout and avoid losing trust in help altogether. |
8. Get Legal / Advocacy Help (If Necessary) | If misdiagnosis caused significant harm (wrong meds, adverse effects, delayed critical treatment), you may consider a patient advocate or legal advice. Also, know your rights regarding medical records and correction of records. | This is more about protection, restitution, and preventing further harm. |
9. Monitor Over Time | Keep tracking your symptoms, treatment outcomes, side effects. If things are not improving, bring that information back to your provider. Diagnosis may evolve with time. | Mental health is dynamic; what seemed correct six months ago may need revision now. |
How Favor Mental Health Supports You If You Think You’ve Been Misdiagnosed
At Favor Mental Health, we recognize that diagnosing mental health correctly takes time, openness, and collaboration. Here’s how we help clients who believe their diagnosis may be wrong:
Thorough reassessment sessions: We allocate enough time to review your full history, medication & therapy responses, symptom changes over time.
Multi-disciplinary reviews: Sometimes involving therapists, psychiatrists, support staff, or bringing in expertise from subspecialists.
Second-opinion referrals where needed—helping you find a provider who specializes in your possible new or additional diagnosis.
Supportive continuity: We keep your trust intact by validating your experiences, admitting uncertainty is okay, and being transparent.
Empowerment & education: We provide resources so you understand your diagnosis (old and new), what treatments are evidence-based, what outcomes are realistic.
Adjustment of treatment plans: When your diagnosis changes, we redesign your treatment—not just swap labels. This might include changing therapy modality, medication, or other supports.
Emotional & Practical FAQ: What People Often Ask
“Will asking for a second opinion upset my current provider?”It’s OK to be respectful but assertive. Most providers prefer patients to be engaged and honest. If you feel judged or ignored, that may itself be a sign you need a different provider.
“What if I’ve been on wrong meds for a long time?”Sometimes there are withdrawal, side-effects, or adaptation issues. Work with your provider to slowly taper or change medications; monitor for any adverse effects.
“Is it ever too late to correct a diagnosis?”Not really. Even after many years, new or revised diagnoses happen. Treatment can still improve quality of life. Early correction is better, but later correction still matters.
“How do I trust a new diagnosis?”Ask the provider to explain why they believe a given diagnosis, what criteria they used, what alternative diagnoses they ruled out, what evidence supports the diagnosis (symptom duration, test results, responses to treatments). Trust builds when you understand the process.
Final Thought: Taking Charge of Your Mental Health
If you feel misdiagnosed, remember: you have agency. You deserve to be heard, accurately understood, and to get treatment that fits you. Misdiagnosis doesn’t define you—it’s a barrier to better care, but one you can move beyond.
At Favor Mental Health in Bel Air, MD, we are committed to helping you find clarity, restore trust, and move toward recovery in a way that honors your experience and supports your well-being.
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