Generales

By Andrea Carolina Vargas Malagón, Journalist at UdeA Communications Office  

Terms like ghosting, emotional responsibility, red flags, gaslighting, anxiety, narcissism, and ADHD now appear regularly in the vocabulary of people who follow mental health content on social media. Taking care of one’s emotional and psychological well-being is a positive and necessary habit. The concern begins, however, when curiosity turns into self-diagnosis—when “I’m learning about this” becomes “This must be what I’m going through.”

This content comes from Alma Mater newspaper. » View PDF editions

 
Visual representation of routine social media use on smartphones. Image source: Freepik 

Published in issue 743 of Alma Mater newspaper. 

Posts titled “What It’s Like to Live with ADHD,” “5 Red Flags of a Narcissist,” “Put a Finger Down: You’re Autistic Edition,” and “You Have ADHD and Didn’t Know It” are among the most popular mental health content circulating on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. These formats resonate widely because they speak directly to users’ emotions and lived experiences. By highlighting relatable behaviors and feelings, they foster a sense of connection and belonging, often prompting that familiar reaction: “That’s me.” 

“The content that goes viral most easily tends to be vague and oversimplifies complex experiences,” said Natalia Vélez López, psychologist and mental health content creator, trained at the Universidad de Antioquia. “It frames things like, ‘If no one’s helping you today, it’s because of childhood trauma,’ or ‘If this happens at night, you probably have this condition.’ While it might seem funny or relatable, that’s exactly the kind of content we need to treat with care. It should be understood as entertainment, not taken at face value.” 

Social media has created a platform for younger generations to engage in open discussions about mental health and to enhance awareness through collective dialogue. Yet, the overwhelming amount of information—often consumed without critical reflection—has led many to self-diagnose and develop misunderstandings about nuanced and complex topics. 

Terms of Reference 

Ghosting: The act of suddenly disappearing without any explanation or warning. 

Red flags: Warning signs in behaviors or attitudes that may negatively impact emotional well-being. 

Gaslighting: A form of psychological manipulation that leads someone to question their reality or sanity. 

Narcissism: A personality disorder characterized by an exaggerated sense of self-importance and a lack of empathy for others. 

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder): A neurodevelopmental disorder marked by difficulties with attention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior. 

Affective responsibility: The capacity to understand and take accountability for how one’s words and actions affect others emotionally. 

“Recognizing the symptoms or signs of a disorder does not equate to a formal diagnosis,” stated Antonio Toro Obando, head of the Department of Psychiatry at the UdeA School of Medicine. “A valid clinical diagnosis requires a thorough interview and assessment of specific factors, such as the duration and intensity of symptoms. Unfortunately, many people assume that exhibiting certain behaviors means they have a mental health condition, which can lead to unnecessary medication or treatment.” 

Risks of self-diagnosis 

Self-diagnosis refers to the act of labeling one’s mental health condition without guidance from a qualified professional. Social media frequently shares content that treats diagnoses and treatments as definitive facts, often without expert oversight. It can undermine the well-being that individuals strive to safeguard, leading to confusion and potentially harmful decisions. 

Relying on social media to navigate real-life relationships can distort how you connect with others, leading to unrealistic demands and sometimes causing you to label or diagnose people without the proper expertise or qualifications. 

“When we consume this type of content, we often accept it without question, generalizing and forming unrealistic expectations. This mindset can leave us feeling frustrated in relationships, making us overly critical and demanding of others. In some cases, people even diagnose others without any medical training,” explained psychologist Vélez. “I’ve witnessed individuals label so-called red flags and say things like, ‘That person is a narcissist,’ or ‘They must be dealing with anxiety,’ based solely on what they’ve seen on social media, without the expertise to make such claims.” 

Likewise, when it comes to clinical mental health disorders such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, and narcissism, many social media users notice behaviors they associate with these conditions and apply them to their own lives. Without professional evaluation, they may prematurely conclude they have a particular disorder and become hyperaware of symptoms that reinforce their self-diagnosis. 

“Everyone can show some traits linked to certain disorders, but that doesn’t mean they have the disorder itself. For instance, checking twice if you locked the door doesn’t mean you have Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Feeling irritable once in a while isn’t a sign of bipolar disorder. Losing your car keys now and then doesn’t mean you have attention deficit disorder. That’s why it’s important not to accept everything on social media as fact. If you’re concerned about your mental health, the best step is to consult a qualified professional,” explained Dr. Toro. 

Do It Yourself 

The rise of “Do It Yourself” (DIY) culture on social media has extended into health-related matters, bringing potentially serious consequences. This trend goes beyond mental health and involves risks such as self-medication. People also widely promote unverified alternative therapies on these platforms, which can create serious dangers. 

The Responsibility of Creators and Consumers 

Social media offers great potential when used with care. Mental health professionals, such as psychologists and psychiatrists, use these platforms to share trustworthy information. Their goal is to help people better understand diagnoses, behaviors, and crucial concepts. Yet, because content creation is open to everyone, both creators and consumers must actively ensure that the information shared is accurate, meaningful, and responsible. 

“The positive side is that mental health has become a topic of open discussion. Previously, it received little attention, but now more people have access to education on these issues. This progress places a significant responsibility on content creators to prioritize prevention and awareness over simply seeking likes and followers through oversimplified, shallow, or misleading messages,” Toro remarked. 

On the responsibility of content creators, Vélez emphasized, “Meaningful content helps people realize they can overcome their challenges. Many times, we carry behaviors or patterns that cause us discomfort, yet we remain unaware that we have the power to change them.” 

Professionals Toro and Vélez also agree that users share responsibility. They must critically evaluate mental health content, prioritizing credible sources and experts who provide reliable and accurate information. Both stress that social media and online content should never replace direct consultation and care from qualified professionals. 

“It’s encouraging to see mental health discussed openly. Many people seek professional help after encountering information about ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, anxiety, and depression on social media. It reflects genuine care for their mental well-being. Still, it’s important to approach such information carefully and understand that social media can never substitute for expert guidance,” Toro concluded.