On ‘Psychology Behind the Headlines,’ hosts Jessica Reyes, Patricia Wu, and guest therapist Ryan Heapy discuss the problem of young people self-diagnosing based on viral trends.
The Rise of Online Diagnosis
Social media makes mental health a hot topic. However, it can promote casual self-diagnosis, sometimes based on inaccurate or incomplete information.
The Dangers of Mislabeling
Self-diagnosing can worsen anxiety and create problems that weren’t there before. It also risks diverting resources from those with serious mental health conditions.
Social Media vs. Professional Help
While online influencers can offer some support, they can’t replace qualified mental health professionals.
