Generales

By Andrea Carolina Vargas Malagón, Journalist at UdeA Communications Office 

Terms like gosthear, emotional responsibility, red flags, gaslighting, anxiety, narcissism, and ADHD have become common in the vocabulary of those who engage with mental health content on social media. Caring about mental and emotional well-being is a positive habit, but the issue arises when learning about these topics shifts into self-diagnosis. 

 
An image depicting daily social media consumption on mobile devices. Source: Freepik 

*This article is from Alma Mater newspaper, edition 743. 

“What It’s Like to Live with ADHD,” “5 Red Flags of a Narcissist,” “Put One Finger Down: You’re Autistic Edition,” and “You Might Have ADHD and Not Know It” are just a few examples of viral mental health content circulating on popular platforms like Instagram and TikTok. These posts connect with users through empathy by portraying situations and behaviors people recognize from their own lives. It allows consumers to relate and identify, sparking the feeling of “Yes, that’s me.” 

“The most viral content tends to be imprecise, categorizing users into specific boxes. It often presents scenarios like ‘If you feel unsupported today, it’s because of these childhood traumas’ or ‘If this happens at night, you might have this condition.’ While it may seem funny or relatable, you should approach this kind of content cautiously and recognize it as mere entertainment,” explained Natalia Vélez López, a psychologist from the Universidad de Antioquia and mental health content creator. 

While social media has enabled new generations to engage in open discussions about mental health and increase awareness through collective dialogue, the sheer volume of information and uncritical consumption have led to self-diagnosis and a misleading understanding of complex issues and concepts. 

Terms of Reference 

Gosthear: to vanish without a trace or warning, disappearing suddenly. 

Red flags: indicators of behaviors or attitudes that are concerning or harmful, potentially affecting emotional well-being. 

Gaslighting: a psychological manipulation tactic that makes an individual question their reality or perceptions. 

Narcissism: a mental health condition, specifically narcissistic personality disorder, characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance and a lack of empathy for others. 

ADHD: a developmental disorder characterized by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. 

Affective responsibility: the ability to recognize and understand the emotional impact of one’s actions and words on others. 

“Being informed about the symptoms or signs of a disorder is not the same as receiving a diagnosis. A clinical diagnosis requires an interview and an evaluation of specific parameters in terms of time and intensity, and it’s important to recognize this. Many people mistakenly believe that exhibiting certain behaviors means they have a mental health disorder, which can result in unnecessary medications or therapies,” explained Antonio Toro Obando, head of the Department of Psychiatry at the UdeA School of Medicine. 

Risks of Self-Diagnosis 

Self-diagnosis involves identifying a disorder in oneself without the guidance of a qualified professional. Social media encourages the consumption of content that often presents diagnoses and treatments as definitive without professional validation. It can jeopardize the well-being we aim to protect. 

Viewing social media content as an instruction manual for real-life situations can negatively impact your relationships with others. It can create unrealistic expectations and even lead to the belief that you can diagnose others despite lacking the necessary qualifications or professional training. 

“When we consume this content, we fail to question it, generalizing it and creating unrealistic expectations. It leads to dissatisfaction in our relationships as we become overly critical and demanding of others. Some even attempt to diagnose people without the proper qualifications. I’ve witnessed individuals identifying “red flags” and making statements like, ‘I think this person is a narcissist’ or ‘He’s probably just anxious,’ without any expertise, relying solely on what they’ve seen on social media,” explained psychologist Vélez. 

Similarly, when it comes to mental health disorders such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), anxiety, depression, narcissism, and others, social media users often identify behaviors linked to these conditions and relate them to their own experiences. It can lead them to believe they have a specific disorder without seeking professional advice, sometimes triggering a state of hypervigilance for symptoms that align with their self-diagnosis. 

“We all may show certain traits of various disorders, but that doesn’t mean we have them. For example, I might check if I closed the door twice, but that doesn’t mean I have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). I could feel irritable one day, but that doesn’t mean I have bipolar disorder. Losing my car keys doesn’t mean I have attention deficit disorder. That is why you shouldn’t take what you see on social media literally. If you have doubts about your mental health, it’s essential to consult a specialist for an accurate assessment,” said Dr. Toro. 

Do It Yourself 

Social media has popularized the DIY (Do It Yourself) trend, which, when applied to health, can lead to serious consequences. This issue extends beyond mental health, also posing risks such as self-medication and the use of alternative therapies promoted across these platforms. 

The Responsibility Lies with Creators and Consumers 

Social media can be an invaluable tool when used responsibly. Mental health professionals, including psychologists and psychiatrists, use it to provide reliable information that enhances understanding of diagnoses, behaviors, and concepts. However, with the power to create content available to everyone, it is crucial to take responsibility for sharing accurate and valuable information that truly benefits others. 

“A positive side to this is that people are finally discussing mental health. People barely discussed mental health in the past, but now they can access valuable education on the topic. However, it also comes with a significant responsibility for content creators to focus on prevention and awareness rather than chasing likes and followers with simplistic, superficial, and inaccurate explanations,” said Toro. 

Regarding the responsibility of content creators, Vélez added, “By sharing valuable content, we offer others the chance to see that solutions are available for what they’re experiencing. Often, we engage in behaviors or habits that make us unhappy, and we may not even realize that we can change them.” 

On the other hand, professionals Toro and Vélez agree that users also bear responsibility. They must consume mental health content critically, relying on trustworthy sources and experts in the field. They stress that, under no circumstances should information from social media or the internet replace professional consultations and support from specialists. 

“I’m glad that people are finally discussing mental health. It’s common for people to approach specialists after seeing content on social media about conditions such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, anxiety, and depression. It reflects a genuine concern for mental health. However, the important thing is to seek information carefully and understand that social media content can never replace the support of a professional,” Toro concluded.