‘But TikTok Said!’ Why Social Media Isn’t A Reliable Resource for Diagnosis
The age of social media has been both a boon and a burden to the mental health world. Information is much more accessible than it has ever been. It’s easier for those who are struggling to find help to find others who share their struggles, or to even start piecing together what it is they might be experiencing. This has allowed for many people to feel more open about their mental health, and more comfortable seeking treatment or professional advice.
On the opposing side, this ease of information has also led to a drastic amount of misinformation being spread via social media apps and websites.The desire for answers has created so much demand for information that there is a perpetual draw for more, more, more. The problem then becomes when the answers that are offered are no longer from reliable sources, and the misinformation starts to fuel misdiagnosis, or make people believe they don’t need help at all, since social media has the answers.
A lot of things available on social media, whether it be through facebook posts, instagram reels, or tiktok videos, tends to describe potential traits, characteristics, and experiences of people who are living with these disorders. The problem becomes when these characteristics and traits are treated like diagnostic criteria. While disorders can shape experiences and create commonalities among many people, many of these commonalities are not criteria that occur together consistently enough to determine a diagnosis. Instead, diagnostic criteria are studied presentations that occur consistently, and that licensed mental health practitioners are trained to interpret in order to deliver a diagnosis.
In a very broad sense, social media and the internet is not a bad place to seek out information and support. Finding people who can relate to one’s personal experiences can be a very healing and beneficial process. However, when it comes to things like coping skills, diagnosis, and treatment, it’s best to seek the help of professionals. Feel free to bring your own observations and concerns to your provider, but it is also important to remember that the internet often has more opinions easily available than facts.