Humans are natural problem solvers, and when things aren’t working – including ourselves – we just love to find a way to fix them. The internet has provided our insatiable curiosity with a wealth of easily accessible information; therefore, it’s no surprise that we turn to our old friend doctor Google to research and self-diagnose health conditions. This has now become so normalized that a US survey showed that 89% of participants consulted Google before seeing a doctor
As highly social creatures, we seek belonging and acceptance, gravitating towards like-minded peers – especially during adolescence. Participating in trends helps provide solidarity, and one of the more recent is discussing and sharing mental health experiences on social media, turning platforms like TikTok and Instagram into virtual diagnostic centers. Given the vulnerability of those experiencing such issues, how did openly sharing deeply personal information with thousands of online strangers become commonplace? What are the risks, and are there any benefits?
How the social media therapy phenomenon began
The 2020 global pandemic brought about an unprecedented rise in poor mental health, and many mental health practitioners, unable to consult with patients in person, started sharing their professional expertise online. At the same time, influencers – despite having little or no mental health training themselves – began sharing their therapists’ advice with their followers, leading to the phenomenon known as ‘social media therapy’ or ‘Instagram therapy’.
The ways social media influences mental health advice
Mental health (and its complex associated issues) is unique to each individual; therefore, even advice or information given online by professionals with years of training and experience, can only ever be general and educational in nature.
Influencers, despite having a large following, often lack the authority to offer mental health advice, and even with the best of intentions, the fact remains that their main goal is to increase their profile by engaging with their followers. Additionally, their content on the topic may be influenced by sponsorships, endorsements, or personal motives, potentially causing their followers more harm than good.
One good example of this is YouTuber Tricia Paytas, who diagnosed herself with dissociative identity disorder (DID), not only spreading misinformation but undermining those who do have the disorder themselves.
That said, providing a platform where users can speak openly about mental health within a public forum does help reduce the stigma surrounding these issues, enabling individuals to feel less alone in their psychological struggles; however, the risks often outweigh the benefits, particularly when advice given without qualification causes harm through misdiagnosis.
The risks of mental health misdiagnosis
Social media therapy blurs the line between general advice and specific professional help, signaling to online users, and often young audiences, that bringing up such topics in a public forum is not just acceptable but actually the ‘healthy’ thing to do.
Young people can sometimes become so focused on making sense of their own emotions that they will resonate with 1 or 2 aspects of a particular mental health condition being discussed on social media, then mold the rest of their ‘symptoms’ to fit that diagnosis. Others who don’t match a specific diagnosis well enough may wonder what’s wrong with them or engage in online behaviors like sadfishing – posting dramatic or emotional personal stories in a vie for attention – to get the validation they seek.
Some users may correctly identify the presence of a few psychological symptoms but fail to recognise the signs of a more serious condition, and some may decline to seek professional help altogether, thinking that the online advice from a peer or an influencer they admire is all they need. Conversely, uninformed users may accuse those with a confirmed diagnosis or genuine symptoms of making fake claims for attention, often causing further harm to those already vulnerable.
When mental health becomes a trending ‘diagnosis’
Mental health diagnoses have become such an important part of TikTok’s younger community that many teens now list them as an identifier in their bio. Talking openly about mental health on social media platforms has also inadvertently led to mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, dissociation, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), being seen as ‘trendy’ to have.
Posting about these serious conditions through romanticized memes is referred to as ‘beautiful suffering’ by mental health professional Aditi Verma. Content like this can downplay the seriousness of mental illness and negate the struggles experienced by diagnosed sufferers.
The positives and benefits of social media therapy
While social media therapy has its downsides, openly talking about mental health online has played a vital role in reducing the stigma and embarrassment that has prevented people from seeking help in the past, along with other benefits of the social trend, such as:
- Making information more accessible
- Raising awareness and empathy
- Normalizing acceptance across different areas, such as school, work, and home
- Helping make potentially scary topics less overwhelming
- Providing a sense of solidarity for sufferers
Additionally, the power of social media to shape behavior and opinion on a massive scale has resulted in more people becoming aware of the importance of prioritizing their own wellbeing, and it has now become an integral consideration for many areas of everyday life.
Generally speaking, advice given about mental health online should be used for interest and education, as a starting point for further research, or to support those with existing mental health diagnoses. There are multiple responsible influencers like TikToker Kalista Dwyer, who has a history of mental health issues and posts on the topic in a mindful, intentional way, careful to consult with licensed professionals to ensure she steers clear of giving clinical advice.
Many social media platforms have started to recognise their impact on mental health, introducing features to help. TikTok has created stricter content guidelines and search interventions, directing users searching for potentially harmful content to local support resources as well as developing a Wellbeing Guide for engaging with others about mental health and wellbeing online. Similarly, Pinterest’s Haven consists of curated content focusing on mental health and wellbeing. But is it enough?
The intersection of social media and mental health is complex. While social media can be a helpful platform when used safely and responsibly to improve awareness and reduce the stigma often associated with mental illness, it should complement, not replace, professional care.
