With the expansion of the internet over the last 2 decades, we have all been given immediate access to a wealth of information right from our pockets. This has been invaluable, especially to individuals being able to better understand their experiences and learn about the physical and mental conditions they may be dealing with. The growth of the app, TikTok, has taken to forwarding discussions of mental health that may have some problematic side effects. The increase in mental health content has also increased the number of teens and young adults using TikTok videos to self-diagnose conditions such as Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder, Dissociative Identity Disorder, Tourette’s syndrome, and more. Let us explore the implications of self-diagnosis and the impact of TikTok and mental health.
What is Self-Diagnosis and Is It Bad?
Merriam-Webster defines diagnosis as “the art or act of identifying a disease from its signs and symptoms.” Professionals such as doctors, nurses, psychiatrists, and therapists are granted “diagnostic authority” to determine what condition an individual is most likely experiencing to know how best to treat it. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) was created with the intention of classifying symptoms of mental illness and orienting providers towards treating disorders based on their unique differences.
The social understanding of diagnosis has since changed, where many individuals gain understanding, validation, and communal support in feeling less alone with their diagnoses. When we hear “self-diagnosis,” we are referring to an individual doing their own independent research to determine what conditions they experience without a professional’s guidance. This has led to controversial discussions of if self-diagnosis is “valid” or dangerous, but the topic is not so black and white.
We live in a world where receiving a professional diagnosis for a mental health condition involves significant barriers to people of different ages, races, and socioeconomic statuses. Though certain factors of the healthcare system have made strides towards increased accessibility, many individuals cannot obtain concrete diagnoses and professional treatment. The value of self-diagnosis stems from the ability for people to use publicly available information about mental and physical conditions to understand what they may be experiencing and learn the ways they can cope without engaging in psychiatry and counseling. Assumptions about self-diagnosis are typically that people are seeking attention or self-diagnose from limited information, and while there are cases where this may be true, most individuals do a lot of personal research to determine what diagnosis may best fit them. Greater understanding of yourself can be immensely empowering and beneficial to making progress towards living a life of less distress. This is why self-diagnosis is not “all bad.”
The downsides of self-diagnosis, even when professional care is truly inaccessible, is that the public does not possess the nuanced expertise and training in identifying mental health conditions. Diagnostic Authorities are trained in “differential diagnosis,” meaning they have the ability to distinguish between conditions that share similar symptoms and experiences. For example, The DSM 5 lists 16 conditions that share similar presentations to ADHD. ADHD, anxiety, and depression all share difficulty with attention and focus. A persistent pattern of inattention throughout the lifespan is a defining characteristic of ADHD due to brain chemistry impairing sustained attention for unrewarding tasks. Anxiety impacts concentration due to overthinking and worry whereas poor concentration stemming from depression is present only during a depressive episode. Non-clinicians may not know that differential diagnosis exists, which can lead to forming an incorrect self-diagnosis that can cause more harm than good. And if we revert to the original intent of why diagnosis was implemented, a diagnosis does not provide relief itself from symptoms without some form of appropriate intervention.
A professional diagnosis can be important in receiving additional services and accommodations to improve quality of life. Insurance companies will not cover the cost of therapy without an approved diagnosis on your record. If IEP, housing, or work accommodations related to your mental health are services you require, it might be best for you to explore your options to see a professional. As are most aspects of life, self-diagnosis is not all bad or all good – it exists in a gray space where there are benefits and consequences that are not mutually exclusive.
How Does TikTok Impact Self-Diagnosis?
TikTok is a social media app that provides users with an endless stream of short-form videos and a hyper-intuitive algorithm that pushes additional content related to the videos you show the most interest in. The New York Times reported on the increase of teens not only using TikTok as a main source of entertainment, but also as a search engine to learn about new topics and thus, become influenced by the opinions, beliefs, and experiences of others. Access to knowledge is a major benefit of the internet, but when the information presented as true is unregulated, not-fact checked, and misinformation comes with no accountability, the opportunity for harm increases.
If you engage with mental health content on the internet and app, your “For You Page” (the main page of the app showing you videos you are most likely to enjoy) is likely to promote videos such as self-care tips, mental health awareness or education, and humor likely related to your personal experiences. By interacting with these videos (watching, commenting, or saving), the algorithm will begin recommending similar mental health content, which is a wide net. People create content for various purposes, with many on TikTok sharing their personal experience with mental health.
Many creators with credentials and qualifications in the mental health field contribute to factual and educational content such as Dr. Julie Smith, Shani Tran, Lindsay Flemming, Raquel Martin, Kina Wolfenstein, and Jeff Guenther. On the other side of “Mental-Health Tok,” videos with a topic such as, “Signs of Autism You May Not Know About” can be created by any individual and may include symptoms and habits that are not supported by research as markers of Autism Spectrum Disorder. This content can be based on the creator’s experiences or even for satirical humor. Frequently, the top comments on these videos will contain thoughts like, “Wow do I have autism?”, “Time for me to see a psychiatrist”, and “OMG that’s autism?! I thought everyone did this!” A similar example is a video with 7.1 million views titled “4 Signs you might be: Bisexual” suggests being “always hungry” as a predictor of bisexuality – which of course, has no evidentiary support. Though the creator adds a hashtag “#gayjokes” in the description, this would be easy to miss and could be taken seriously, especially by a younger audience. Personal anecdotes and expressions of mental health are extremely valuable, considering how research cannot adequately apply to every unique individual. That said, they should be viewed independently from what experts report. And when the more you interact with these videos, the more of them you see, it becomes easier and easier to be convinced you have a disorder that may not be accurate.
How Can We Navigate Self-Diagnosis and Mental Health Content on TikTok?
- Take note of where your information is coming from and fact-check. If you come across new information about a mental health condition you have not heard before, check the creator’s page to see if they list their credentials and do a quick Google search to confirm it matches what is reported by science and mental health organizations.
- Use the “Not Interested” button. If you are being fed content about mental health that causes you to become confused or isn’t appropriate for your interests, you can hold your finger on the video and a menu will pop up. Click “Not Interested” and the algorithm will learn to show you less of that content.
- Think critically. Keep in mind that the information shared on TikTok is short and is often greatly simplified. Ask yourself questions such as, “Does this video provide evidence for their claims? Do I have reason to believe this creator is well-informed on this topic (ex. listing credentials on their profile)? Does this post match up with other sources I’ve come across on this topic?”
- Parents – Talk to your teens. If you are a parent whose teen is followed by a never-ending stream of TikTok sounds, have a conversation with your child about what type of content they are watching and how they can protect themselves from misleading content. There are endless resources on cyber safety for teens and reaching out to professionals can help you lead these discussions with your child.
- Pause the clock – Take a break. No matter how many positive benefits we get from social media, sometimes we all need a step away to recenter in reality. Consider deleting the app (for a period of time – don’t force yourself to give it up forever!) or using your phone settings to place time limits on the app to be more aware of when it’s time for a break.
- Do your research. If you cannot or choose to not seek diagnosis from a professional, be sure to consult trusted sources for information about symptoms or conditions you may be experiencing. Websites such as the National Institute of Mental Health, the American Psychiatric Association, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and Mental Health America are reliable places to learn more about mental health.
Social media fosters provocative discussions about mental health. While it can offer accessible new information, we must also journey through the internet mindfully, taking note of how it influences our views and our own mental health. Let us know your experiences with “mental-health Tok”, your thoughts on self-diagnosis, and how you navigate social media with intention!
