When conversations about mental health first gained traction on platforms such as Tumblr and Instagram, the dialogue often revolved around breaking the stigma. These platforms facilitated open discussions, emphasising the importance of normalising mental health challenges and promoting awareness. This has had an undeniably positive impact, encouraging individuals to share their struggles and seek support.

However, this widespread accessibility has also brought unintended consequences. While awareness is crucial, the normalisation of mental health issues on social media has sometimes veered into the territory of romanticising serious conditions such as anxiety, depression and eating disorders.

Beyond supporting sufferers of such conditions, the trend has moved to even encouraging people to spot signs and self-diagnose. This influence doesn’t just stem from the content itself – attitudes online can also make people feel pressured to align with these narratives, convincing themselves something is wrong, just to fit in. 

This raises an important question: does something have to be wrong with you to belong in today’s society?

This explainer delves into the growing trend of self-diagnosing mental health conditions based on social media content.

How big is the problem?

According to a poll conducted by the EdWeek Research Center in the US, 55% of students use social media to self-diagnose, and 65% of teachers have observed this trend in their classrooms. 

While it is understandable for teens to seek free mental health advice, self-diagnosis can lead to serious consequences. Without professional guidance, some may pursue inappropriate solutions, such as taking medication unsafely or misinterpreting the symptoms entirely.

It doesn’t stop at self-diagnosis. The EdWeek poll found that teens are also diagnosing others: 52% of students admit to diagnosing their peers, with 11% saying they do it “all the time”. 

This trend gained momentum in 2021 when contributors on TikTok, which has 1.7 billion users, began posting content to self-diagnose conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism. 

The platform’s algorithms intensified the problem by showing users repetitive videos on the topic, reinforcing the plethora of misinformation through confirmation bias.

How did mental health become ‘aesthetic’?

Social media has helped to reduce the shame of discussing mental health, and 72% of educators, according to EdWeek, believe it encourages students to share their struggles – something that many find highly therapeutic. 

However, topics that were once considered taboo are now at risk of being trivialised. Despite raising awareness, social media often aestheticises symptoms, romanticises self-destructive behaviours and uses hashtags combined with personal stories in ways that portray mental health issues as part of a trend rather than a genuine health condition. 

Hashtags like #ADHDTikTok, #ADHDCheck and #ActuallyAutistic often start as well-meaning efforts to spread awareness. However, while researching examples, one can find these hashtags linked to videos resulting from searches such as ‘Signs you have ADHD’ and ‘Signs you have autism’. This demonstrates that the intended positive effect can also lead to negative outcomes.

Social media often frames mental health issues as “aesthetic” or trendy personality traits, rather than as challenges that significantly impact daily life. Posts that glamorise the difficulties of anxiety and depression almost poke fun at the people genuinely experiencing these struggles.

For example, there are many TikTok videos that are made by people who are not medical professionals, who spread misinformation about what mental health disorders are really like. These seem almost disrespectful to people who actually have to live with these conditions.

@jacobmhoff Follow here and Instagram @jacobmhoff @Samantha Wynn Greenstone ♬ original sound – Jacob Hoff

The comments under this video from social media influencer Jacob Hoff include people are saying, “I need to take an ADHD test,” and asking, “Is ADHD a good thing or not?” In response, one user replied, “It’s the best thing ever”, completely ignoring the complexity of the question and providing a misleadingly simplistic answer.

Which conditions are most self-diagnosed?

Initially, ADHD and autism dominated social media’s self-diagnosis culture. However, anxiety and depression are now at the top of the list. 

Why? Many struggle to differentiate between a mental health-related experience and a disorder. For example, feeling anxious or sad in response to a life challenge is natural and temporary. In contrast to that, a mental disorder is a pattern of dysfunction that disrupts daily functioning. 

People may see others gaining validation and support from being able to put a name to their feelings – providing themselves with a diagnosis. For example, they may be able to gain support from their school, or access advice from others. This tends to be most available when people can actually name or define their condition, compared to just describing their feelings. This promotes the trend of diagnosis, and more crucially, self-diagnosis. 

What are the risks of self-diagnosis?

There are various dangers associated with self-diagnosis, including the oversimplification of issues.

Social media posts condense complex conditions into quick 15-second videos. For example, videos entitled ‘How to know that you are with a narcissist’ rarely offer nuanced and accurate information. This content might even be as simple as a meme showing someone with avoidant attachment, who is pondering whether to keep or cut someone from their life. 

Another danger could be misinformation. Without proper understanding, self-diagnosis can lead people to overlook legitimate issues or adopt harmful coping strategies. Misdiagnosis might push someone to rely on risky treatment, such as self-medicating rather than seeking professional help.

In addition, when young people see these types of videos they can easily become discouraged from looking for a professional diagnosis. Instead of the media promoting self-diagnosis and misinformed decision-making, it should promote receiving accurate help through professional diagnosis and consultation.

Some platforms, such as YouTube, have begun to indicate more reliable sources with a label, such as “licensed health professional”. However, this remains limited in its scope and people should not rely solely on this advice. 

How can teens find real support?

To access accurate mental health information and support outside social media, teens have several reliable options. 

Trusted online resources in the US, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), offer comprehensive, evidence-based advice on mental health conditions, their diagnoses and treatment options. Schools and universities can also be valuable sources of support, often providing free or low-cost counselling through wellness centres.

Also in the US, platforms such as Psychology Today and Therapy Den can help connect teens with licensed therapists in their area. Beyond professional resources, reaching out to trusted adults (teachers, mentors, family members) can provide guidance and reassurance when navigating the complex world of mental health and diagnoses. 

Internationally, resources such as Crisis Text Line in the UK and Ireland, Mental Health Europe for European countries, TellJP in Japan, RMH Organisation in South Africa, and Psychology Today’s global platform offer support tailored to specific regions, ensuring teens worldwide can find the help they need. 

What is most important to remember is to always try to ask for and receive professional help over trying to make sense of your mental health. Be sure to keep yourself as informed as possible and to take the information you hear about mental health on social media platforms with a grain of salt because it is not just a trend – it’s your health.