The Dangers of Self-diagnosis In The Age of Social Media

The Dangers of Self-diagnosis In The Age of Social Media

Social media is increasingly used by younger generations to self-diagnose mental health conditions. Here mental health expert Noel McDermott looks at this surge in self-diagnosis and the dangers behind this.

Platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram are being used as hubs for health problems but without any professional qualification they often spread inaccurate or misleading medical content creating further confusion, anxiety and incorrect conclusions for the individual.

Mental health expert Noel McDermott comments: “Self-diagnosis is never a good idea no matter the source. All humans filter experience and as a psychological professional one of the skills I give to patients is developing a network of people to help them identify when they are struggling. Lack of insight into being ill is a part of the diagnosis of any mental health condition. It’s a part of the condition and insight is only gained from interacting with others.

Often diagnosing there is a problem requires an understanding of the individual’s normal baseline functioning as we are all unique. It’s the changes to this individual normal that indicates a problem, not a deviation from any made up normal discovered online.

Additionally, a professional making a diagnosis has two things that are essential, qualifications and ongoing professional learning and experience over time. The other thing they will have will be some accountability. They have skin in the game. If they get it wrong there will be consequences for them.”

The motivation behind social media creators 

A TikToker or YouTuber may lack the duties of a health professional, focusing instead on generating followers and selling products for sponsors. Online platforms operate on the model of monetizing audiences through follower counts or sponsorships. I

n contrast, health professionals prioritize helping people based on evidence, adhering to legal duties and expertise. Ill-informed quacks online cause real harm, as seen during the epidemic of false medical information. The Covid inquiry has confirmed that vaccines saved millions of lives—it’s a fact that if TikTok had influenced public health policy during the pandemic, many more would have died in the UK.

With issues around psychological health and wellbeing, the situation is stark. Much of what influencers offer is fictional; if there are any facts, they are often accidental or misleading. This is critical, as global figures show preventable mortality from mental health disorders as a leading cause of death, with significant disability rates adding to this concern. Psychological disorders contribute to preventable deaths and disabilities at alarming rates.

Suggesting that social media can diagnose or cure cancer is widely seen as reprehensible, highlighting the serious stakes in mental health. In many countries, pretending to be a doctor and offering unauthorized medical services is a crime, emphasizing the life-or-death nature of these issues. Yet, platforms continue to allow dangerous content, seemingly influenced by profit.

The danger of online influencers

Most people don’t understand that regulated health professions must follow ethical guidelines that limit their statements and actions. There is often a requirement for honesty in public dealings, unlike online influencers who face no such constraints. Influencers can mislead audiences for the sake of numbers, prioritizing engagement over honesty and the complex needs of mental health issues.

A health professional who generates content is aware of ethical obligations, focused on helping people rather than generating clicks. They risk losing their license by compromising their integrity.

Mental health expert Noel McDermott is a psychotherapist and dramatherapist with over 30 years’ work within the health, social care, education, and criminal justice fields. His company Mental Health Works provides unique mental health services for the public and other organisations. Mental Health Works offers in situ health care and will source, identify and co-ordinate personalised teams to meet your needs – https://www.mentalhealthworks.net/