“Many of these TikToks are taking human emotions and experiences and trying to categorize them into those neat boxes of diagnoses” – Emily Hemendinger.

A recent influx of mental health-related videos has taken social media by storm and has greatly helped to destigmatize and inform people about the signs, symptoms, and impact of mental health and related diagnoses. However, with the increase in mental health content, it is important to remember that some content can be misleading and potentially dangerous if we are not well-informed about the reality of mental health.

TikTok creators and social media influencers promising ‘quick fixes’ or lending us knowledge on how to ‘easily spot ____ diagnosis’ should be taken with a grain of salt, as creators are not always experts in the fields of mental health and therapy, and can mislead viewers in thinking that mental health can be solved quickly, or that people are experiencing a plethora of symptoms and diagnoses without the support of a trained professional.

Many social media posts on mental health follow the dialogue of “I’m so messy, clean, organized, unorganized, etc., so therefore I must have ____ diagnosis. If you find this relatable, maybe you do too.”

When we begin to consider whether or not we may be struggling with a mental health diagnosis, this is a great time to have a discussion with a doctor or mental health professional.

The Nuances to Mental Health Diagnoses:

Some mental health creators may not truly recognize the nuances of mental health disorders, and the importance of considering a multitude of various social, biological, and cognitive factors before being provided a concrete diagnosis.

For example, individuals who consistently check their locks or stove tops before leaving the house may attribute this to a diagnosis of OCD, however, many individuals who are working through PTSD also take great precautions in ensuring their safety and exercising excessive caution. Similarly, individuals with an inability to focus or are often inattentive may immediately believe that they are experiencing ADHD, however, this can also be linked to PTSD.

As such, it is so important to meet with a professional about your experiences or feelings, so that they can work with you to truly understand what is occurring, and how to help. Mental health diagnoses are not “cute and quirky” or a “personality trait,” but can be severely impairing to many individuals, and require the support of a professional.

How to Avoid Harmful Mental Health Media:

One of the easiest ways to avoid consuming inaccurate, harmful, or potentially triggering mental health content is to alter our ‘For You Page’ or explore pages, which can be done by searching and watching videos that are lighthearted (ex. animal videos, harmless pranks, hobby or interest-related content, etc.) to avoid the frequency of videos that are related to mental health. You can also block content or switch the preference to ‘Less Content Like This,” so to avoid the videos in the future. If you do enjoy mental health content or find it helpful, remember to seek out licensed professionals and those with the knowledge and education to support you in your mental health journey.

It is much harder to work through our own mental health when we are constantly flooded with videos surrounding trauma, mental health diagnoses, and symptomatology.

What to Look Out For:

It is important to look at who is posting the video. Is it a licensed professional or a medical professional? Or could it be an influencer that may be attempting to capitalize on the mental health boom (did you know, since 2022, there have been 25.3 billion TikToks posted under the hashtag #MentalHealth)? One of the greatest aspects of social media is feeling connected to others who are experiencing similar feelings, emotions, and situations as us, however, it is important to consider who is trying to connect, and what they may truly want (educating others versus hoping to receive views and likes). Scope out the professionals for a true understanding!

Searching for credible creators and content can be challenging in the world of social media, but reaching out to licensed therapists, healthcare providers, or support workers is the best option for exploring mental health diagnoses!

Find more information here:

https://news.cuanschutz.edu/news-stories/tiktok-and-mental-health-how-do-you- decipher-accurate-information
https://www.realclearscience.com/blog/2024/06/19/how_mental_health_awareness_o n_tiktok_backfires_1038997.html
https://give.as.virginia.edu/news/story/calling-dr-tiktok-experts-weigh-alarming-social- media-trend

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