By Anvitha Rayala

An internet-based self-diagnosis of Lyme disease, causing the death of a young woman with systemic lupus erythematosus, was reported in 2019. No one could’ve imagined a quick Google search in WebMD would result in such a devastating death of the 37-year-old mom. While physical health-related self-diagnoses have long been recognized as risky, online mental health self-diagnosis has risen greatly in recent years. In a world of online gurus and mental health shamans, teens and young adults (the anxious generation) of this decade are particularly vulnerable to misdiagnoses, which can lead to serious misunderstandings about their mental well-being and potentially harmful outcomes. Although for many, finding out a diagnosis for themselves can be cathartic, and even mitigates the cost of a proper clinical diagnosis, the trade-off has consequences as dire as death due to misdiagnoses. The rise of online self-diagnosis may seem empowering, but it is ultimately harming public understanding of mental health by spreading misinformation and discouraging proper treatment.

Another major concern is how social media distorts the meaning of mental health labels. Social media, utilized by many for emotional support, connections, entertainment, and even medical health in certain cases, often tends to blur the link between understanding mental health and glamorizing or justifying it. It seems to miss the fine line that distinctly separates learning about a condition through an appealing lens and facing the raw, often unpleasant reality of living with that condition. Sometimes, self-diagnosis just doesn’t lead to self-improvement, but rather creates a comfortable framework to justify certain behaviors without accountability. Without a professional to challenge and analyze these interpretations deeply, it is easy for people to become stuck.

At other times, social discussion around certain labels can lead to misdiagnosis, either by avoiding or denying a diagnosis due to online stigma or by adopting a label solely because it has been socially glorified and accepted. Over-identifying with a diagnosis due to social media’s opinions and emphasis on the wrong can cause the loss of a person’s sense of self, leaving them defenseless and unable to embrace change or solutions. (UC Denver, 2022).

A related phenomenon known as the “snowball effect” is a term used to describe a situation in which the definition of a disorder becomes overly broad and nearly any behavior falls under the category of symptoms. The effect signifies a major issue of self-diagnosis: its heavy reliance on anecdotal information. As a result, the validity, reliability, and accuracy of these misdiagnoses suffer. TikTok and other social media platforms used by millions often promote this phenomenon. Many users use personal stories as a guide for mental health identification. One study recorded that almost 83% of mental health videos on TikTok were misleading due to them being based on individual experiences rather than verified clinical sources. While the trend can increase awareness and reduce stigma, it also contributes to the dissemination of widespread misinformation. (UC Denver, 2022) Self-diagnosis through social media can be harmful because it may create inaccurate perceptions of mental health, causing unnecessary stress and anxiety (McVay, 2023). This trend is not isolated; a 2025 LifeStance survey revealed that nearly one-third (29%) of Americans have self-diagnosed mental health conditions based on online information, with Gen Z (50%) and millennials (38%) leading the way. Among these self-diagnoses, anxiety (48%) and depression (37%) were the most common conditions identified. (Harden et al., 2024). Furthermore, a 2024 study highlighted that 44% of Americans self-diagnose conditions like anxiety, ADHD, and OCD without consulting a mental health professional, potentially leading to misdiagnoses and delayed appropriate treatment (Thriveworks, 2024)

Another reason this cycle continues is the psychological need for belonging and validation. Why do adolescents and young adults continue in this harmful cycle despite most being aware of the falsity of some mental health diagnoses? This is a question asked by many to better understand the causes of internet reliance on mental health. Professional Psychologist Ellen McVay at John Hopkins children’s hospital responds “The open discussions on social media provide them with relatable content, fostering a sense of belonging and reducing the feeling of isolation.” due to adolescents being in the phase of identity formation, authority development and self discovery which leads them to seek validation and understanding through sources without the fear of judgement due to the anonymity of the internet (McVay, 2023).

To address this issue, digital literacy and professional outreach must work together. Schools and social platforms can integrate digital mental health education that teaches young people how to evaluate online content critically. Healthcare providers and educators should create accessible, youth-friendly mental health resources that meet teens’ needs when they are already on their phones. Social media companies, too, could take greater responsibility by promoting verified clinical information and flagging misleading mental health content. Encouraging collaboration between professionals and influencers can turn social platforms from sources of confusion into tools of education.

The trend highlights a central tension in modern mental health awareness: while online self-diagnosis can empower teens to explore their mental health and seek support, it also increases vulnerability to misinformation, mislabeling, and anxiety. Balancing the benefits of self-awareness with the risk of inaccurate diagnoses is crucial for public understanding of mental health in the digital age.

The digital age has made mental health discussions more visible than ever, but visibility without accuracy can be dangerous. Self-diagnosis, though well-intentioned, can turn curiosity into confusion and awareness into anxiety. If society continues to let social media/web define mental illness, we risk raising a generation more self-labeled than self-aware. The solution lies not in silencing online conversations, but in guiding them toward truth, empathy, and scientific evidence.

Work’s Cited

Jaramillo, Jessica. “Down the Rabbit Hole of Self-Diagnosis in Mental Health.” University of Colorado Denver, 10 Apr. 2023, http://www.ucdenver.edu/student/stories/library/healthy-happy-life/down-the-rabbit-hole-of-self-diagnosis-in-mental-health.

McVay, Ellen. “Social Media and Self-Diagnosis.” http://Www.hopkinsmedicine.org, Johns Hopkins Medicine, 31 Aug. 2023, http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/articles/2023/08/social-media-and-self-diagnosis.

Strizova, Zuzana, et al. “Internet-Based Self-Diagnosis of Lyme Disease Caused Death in a Young Woman with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.” Joint Bone Spine, vol. 86, no. 5, Oct. 2019, pp. 650–651, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbspin.2018.12.011. Accessed 22 Jan. 2021.

Stubbe, Dorothy E. “Patient Self-Diagnosis: Physician Engagement Tools to Compete with TikTok.” Focus, vol. 23, no. 2, Apr. 2025, pp. 212–216, https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.focus.20250004.