Social Media Influence On Mental Health Labels
- Brainz Magazine
- Dec 15, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 8
Written by: Alexis Lynch, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
For anyone who has seen reels or Tik-Toks of people pointing repetitively to written words such as “Maybe you have ADHD,” then list symptoms. These vague and simple lists minimize mental health diagnoses and create confusion for media users. I have heard many times in my sessions, “Do you think I have borderline personality disorder.” There is a 1% chance that I would find them to fit the criteria for borderline personality disorder. It is still important to validate their experience and discuss why they feel they meet the requirements and process from there. Many borderline personality traits have differential diagnoses that may feel or look similar but are commonly misdiagnosed. This goes for many other disorders also.
For instance, many of my newly diagnosed autistic patients have gone through a slew of diagnoses before I see them. Their records would list disorders like borderline personality disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder. The frustration clients feel when they have been diagnosed many times and tried many different medications is something they think people don’t understand. I am going to attempt to break this down in hopes that the psychoeducation can help someone feel like they're not the only one going through this.
Having a generalized anxiety disorder can leave someone feeling excessively worried and restless, having difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbance. There are so many symptoms that were listed that have some identical criteria to ADHD, such as difficulty sustaining attention, feeling “on the go” (feeling restless), and sleep disturbance. If this were the Tik-Tok video about anxiety, with the person pointing at the symptoms, then the following video is the same symptoms listed for ADHD; you can imagine the confusion. Now, some people think they have both diagnoses. Can they have both diagnoses? Absolutely, but the influence on the vulnerable population must be assessed for misinformation or not given the benefit of the doubt.
Humans want to feel like they are a part of something, like they belong. For those who feel like they are still searching for that, they can be vulnerable to the exploitation of mental health symptoms by the media. Imagine the individuals who genuinely struggle with the disorders and are untreated; then they see these videos. The increase in anxiety and rumination after seeing these videos could lead to searching more on the symptoms, furthering confusion and possibly leading to a crisis. Crisis in identity, existential fears, and beginning to feel depressed. Many of my patients who come to therapy for the first time report feeling overwhelming anxiety and decided to seek treatment after feelings of depression set in.
I wrote this article hoping that those who like to watch mental health videos and read individual experiences from others will consider their own experience and not make assumptions. Advocating for mental health is one thing, but misrepresentation of mental health is something to also take into account. Everyone’s experience is different, and so are their mental health symptoms. Seeking an unbiased, objective, and educated professional can help alleviate lingering worries.
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Alexis Lynch, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Alexis Lynch is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the State of Florida. She specializes in neurodiversity and encourages the community to incorporate a "difference, not a deficit" mindset. Lynch is neurodivergent herself and feels this assists in the therapeutic process and client relationship. Lynch empowers her clients to utilize their strengths to work toward self-discovery and find comfort in feeling uncomfortable to gain confidence when met with challenges. The client can feel more present in their lives and reduce their anxiety by gaining this confidence and a newfound sense of self.
