I am in the UK and as far as i know, only the psychiatrists can diagnose although the otehrs can make a guess and refer for the oficial naming ceremony! i self diagnosed the second time i becasme debilitated and 2 psychiatriss and two psychiatrict nurses missed it as it was not really really bad even although i told them i had a previous diagnosis. i think ther eis a lot of snobbery around diagnoses -i was diagnosed in Israel wher eone in ten of the population is medically qualified but i suspect that my telling the health professionals meant nothing to them until someone in the uk diagnosed. in the end a consultant psychologist diagnosed but when it cmes to things like court or compensation , yes a psychiatrist is needed for the all important diagnosis. in reality the local psychiatrist is not likely to challenge the diagnosis the local consultant psychologist anyway and it is the psychologits and specialist nurses who treat and do therapy whilst the psychiatrists mainly prescribe. hope that is clearer or is it now more confusing!!??LOL