The popularity of various internet and social media platforms has significantly increased awareness about mental health. Alongside this growth, there has been a noticeable rise in the trend of self-diagnosis.
People are increasingly turning to online sources to interpret their symptoms and attempt to identify mental health conditions without professional guidance.
Self-diagnosis occurs when an individual, without proper medical training, assigns a diagnosis to themselves.
This diagnosis may be based on scientific literature, internet content, personal experiences, or the experiences shared by others. While self-diagnosis can sometimes help individuals understand their symptoms, it often lacks the accuracy and thoroughness of a professional evaluation.
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Benefits and Risks of Self-Diagnosis
Self-diagnosis can be helpful when it serves to identify a problem and is followed, if necessary, by consultation with a healthcare professional. It may become the first step toward starting proper treatment when needed.
However, without the required knowledge and experience, self-diagnosis can be quite dangerous. An incorrect self-diagnosis can delay timely and appropriate treatment. Moreover, certain cognitive biases may cause individuals to firmly believe in a wrong diagnosis, which can negatively impact their well-being.
For example, a person watching a video about dissociative amnesia (a memory disorder) on TikTok or another social media platform might mistakenly attribute normal forgetfulness to this serious condition. In such cases, self-diagnosis can lead to inappropriate treatment or unnecessary stress.
What Is Self-Education in Health?
Self-education refers to the process where individuals independently research information related to various health issues.
The main benefit of self-education is that it prepares people for diagnosis and treatment by helping them seek timely and appropriate support. Accurate information also benefits society by increasing awareness and acceptance of mental and physical health challenges, thus contributing to destigmatization.
Our goal is to provide qualified, up-to-date information that meets modern standards. However, it can be difficult for people to assess the reliability of the information they find. Even when sources are accurate, there is still a risk of drawing incorrect conclusions.
The Rise of Psychological Content on Social Media and Its Challenges
In recent years, there has been a sharp increase in psychological content on social media platforms. For example, videos tagged with #ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) have amassed over 2.7 billion views.
However, research shows that more than half of these ADHD-related videos on the same platform contained inaccurate clinical information, misleading many viewers.
This highlights the importance of understanding that online content may be incorrect or incomplete. Even accurate information can be misunderstood without proper education.
Ultimately, if you experience any symptoms or concerns, it is crucial to seek professional advice promptly to avoid unnecessary risks and stress.
Author: Elene Khomeriki
Editors: Guga Sikharulidze, Mariam Akhmeteli, Elene Gogokhia