Don’t Let Social Media Diagnose Your Mental Health Concerns
Social media can be a fun outlet for many people. It provides humor and entertainment. Maybe you watch a funny video about dogs, discover a tasty new recipe, or keep up with local events happening in your neighborhood.
It can also help some people to feel less alone. I’ve talked with individuals who say that they saw a video about something and realized they weren’t the only ones to have a certain experience or feel a particular way. It can absolutely let you know you aren’t an outlier in the ways you think you might be.
Mental Health in Social Media
In the past few years, mental health has become a trending topic on social media. In my opinion that is a big win in many ways. People are talking about mental health more than ever and in some cases it is helping to destigmatize the things individuals struggle with. It is wonderful to normalize talking about metal health and getting help or support from others, especially mental health providers.
However, relying on social media for mental health information can be a tricky, slippery slope and I advise you to please be careful. I’ve heard so many people in recent years suggesting they may have a certain mental health diagnosis because of something they saw on TikTok or Instagram. And like I mentioned above, you may see a video and find that you relate to what is being discussed but keep in mind that you may not have all the information. It is great to feel validated and seen as well as less alone; however, that may not necessarily mean that all the information you are taking in is accurate.
Proceed with Caution
I imagine my professional experience in recent years mirrors what medical doctors experienced at the start of sites like WebMD. I can even remember an experience I had with my own doctor many years ago. I went in for an unusual symptom and when I said I had looked it up online and found a suggested diagnosis, my doctor held her breath, cautiously waiting to hear what wild theory I had come up with. I offered my information and she breathed a sigh of relief - it was actually an accurate description of what was happening to me. However, she didn’t let me go without reminding me to be cautious about looking up symptoms online. I appreciated her openness to hearing me out as well as her professional guidance around the importance of being a cautious consumer of information found on the internet.
There are some wonderful professionals out there who are using social media as a platform to provide some really good information. But keep in mind, there is a hearty mix to the quality of videos you view. Some are regular people with a video that has gone viral, others are influencers, and some are mental health experts with formal training and credentials.
Also, remember that the algorithms on these sites are designed to inundate you with content similar to what you are already viewing or sharing with others. So if you are starting to feel overwhelmed or suspicious, take a step back and reflect. You may need to actively seek out alternative information or just take a break from viewing certain types of content.
3 Tips for Healthy Use
Here are a few tips for healthy social media consumption when it comes to mental health information:
Know who you are watching. Just because someone says they are an expert or has had a certain experience - take the extra step to look them up. Find out if they really are a trustworthy source of information for that particular topic.
Additionally, if the topic is of interest to you and you want to know more about it - do some research. Find other credible sources of information, outside of social media, to continue learning about the topic.
Consider the variability. Remember that many topics or diagnoses being discussed might show up differently person to person because of variables like age, gender identification, culture, etc. Even something as seemingly straightforward as depression can be confusing because there are so many diagnostic criterions that several people might meet requirements to be diagnosed with major depression and have barely any overlap in symptoms.
Be curious. The biggest piece of advice I can offer in this area is to approach anything you see with curiosity. Use it as a jumping off point to engage in self-reflection and further learning. Consider what pieces of information resonate with you and also challenge yourself to consider the aspects that don’t fit.
If you really think there might be something impacting your mental health, allow it to be a catalyst for seeking out a professional who is licensed and practices within the scope of your particular concerns.
If you are considering seeking out a therapist but don’t know where to start - check out my post on that topic here. Or if you think we might be a good fit - you can reach out to me here.
Summary/TL;DR
Social media can offer validation and community, but it’s important to avoid self-diagnosing based on online content. Not all information is accurate or reliable. Be curious, do research, and consult a professional if you're concerned about your mental health. Use social media as a starting point, not a definitive guide.
