Self Diagnosis- Chronically Online
Growing up in today’s world, intertwining your life with the internet is almost inevitable, as it is the world's primary source of entertainment and education. Without things like YouTube, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, etc. most people would not have made it through the pandemic. The internet is also a place of comfort for many. Communities of like-minded individuals create a sense of relatability for those who cannot find it in the physical world. However, sometimes the need to fit in can go too far.
People on the internet may come across information about mental health and all things related with varying mental illnesses ranging from neurological to psychological. Such topics are being discussed on social media platforms as to bring a sense of normalcy to said illnesses. However, people, particularly teenagers, are taking it far too literally. According to highland springs.org, there are over 10,000 types of mental illnesses and neurological disorders; therefore many symptoms will overlap and appear to be certain conditions when they are a vastly different problem. This can cause confusion for those that do not get professionally screened and resort to assumptions and WebMD.
Self-diagnosing is an extremely harmful action and creates stigma for the groups of people that others try to associate themselves with. There has been a recent epidemic of young people making it a trend to be mentally unwell and even as far as having a neurological disorder, such as Tourette’s syndrome. It is becoming a competition for “who is more traumatized”.
Recent examples of this phenomenon include dissociative identity disorder (DID). Although it is now understood that DID is more common than initially thought, there have been multiple accounts of people, again teenagers, faking said disorders. Posting videos of themselves switching “alters” not expecting others to see through their inconsistent acting skills. This not only causes issues for themselves, but also for the DID community who all are attempting to educate themselves and others. Broadcasting false experiences and symptoms can cause confusion and make others believe that they may be enduring the same condition. This is not to say that the person is incorrect in thinking they have a form of mental illness/disorder, but more so to point out that it is a misdiagnosis of different disorders.
Another example of this twisted trend includes obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). A general misunderstanding of the condition has led many to believe they have OCD. The want to keep your space excessively clean or being bothered by germs is not an automatic indicator of this complex disorder. Though many have been led to believe this due to lack of educating oneself on the condition. People enjoy being able to say they have some sort of mental inhibitor usually for two reasons; to fit into a specific group, or to gain attention from their peers. Both being very selfish and dangerous reasons.
Self-diagnosing can be dangerous for the person who has made the mistake of doing so. They may begin wrongful treatment, or they may diagnose their problem incorrectly and a much more severe problem could be lying beneath their assumptions. For example, brain tumors can cause personality changes that can be mistaken for psychosis or depression.
Actively seeking answers to any mental problems you may be experiencing is not the issue. The issue is believing Google can give an accurate diagnosis. Symptoms vary and can be exhibited by multiple different disorders. It is time to take mental health seriously.
