Generation Z (born between 1997 and 2012) uses the internet to self-diagnose their own mental health conditions, but not in the ways one might reflexively (or judgmentally) assume.
A new survey and report from the Made of Millions Foundation, a nonprofit mental health advocacy organization, found that only a small fraction of Gen Z youth relies solely on the internet to interpret their symptoms and make their own conclusions about a diagnosis or disorder.
The majority of youth surveyed instead consult online resources, including social media, in conjunction with seeking or receiving mental health care and treatment. The findings counter a prevailing narrative that it's become trendy, and common, for young people to diagnose themselves with a specific condition without any professional help or support.
In fact, of the 970 people between ages of 13 and 28 surveyed for the Made of Millions report, 431 of them were in some phase of what the researchers described as a mental health "journey."
Of the subset of nationally representative participants who had a diagnosis, a mere five percent, or 10 people, said they were self-diagnosed and had no plans to follow up with a clinician. Eight percent intended to see a mental health professional after having made a diagnosis for themselves, based on internet research.
But nearly three quarters of respondents who said they had a diagnosis received it either exclusively from a clinician or through a combination of clinical expertise and independent online searching.
Uma Chatterjee, a neuroscientist and mental health advocate who provided expertise for the Made of Millions report, says she supports young people using the internet to explore information about their symptoms and possible diagnoses.
That information can be particularly validating when someone realizes they may have a condition like OCD, which is often misunderstood, Chatterjee says.
It's so "powerful to show people that something that they never had a word for, or a way to describe, or they just thought was normal, is actually something that is a commonly shared experience, especially when there's so much shame associated with so many of these symptoms," she adds.
How to safely explore self-diagnosis
Chatterjee does encourage young people to adopt a few key strategies when attempting to self-diagnose their mental health concerns online.
Once they've looked into their symptoms and believe that a specific diagnosis might explain what they're experiencing, Chatterjee recommends they seek out trusted nonprofit and professional medical organizations that focus on that condition through research, education, or advocacy. From there, they should look for resources related to finding a local mental health professional who can provide expert guidance.
For example, someone who thinks they may have OCD might look to the International OCD Foundation, which maintains a directory of not only therapists and clinics but also support groups and other organizations that specialize in the condition. (Chatterjee is a volunteer advocate for International OCD Foundation.)
Either way, Chatterjee strongly recommends that someone who's self-diagnosed via internet information searching follow up with a clinician, including a general physician who can make a referral to a therapist or psychiatrist. If a person's self-diagnosis is incorrect, it's highly unlikely that they'll get the tools they need to recover.
Relying only on social media accounts or influencers, even those who seem qualified, for medical and mental health advice can also be dangerous, Chatterjee says. People may be exposed to misinformation or hear about cures that don't exist.
The pros and cons of self-diagnosis
Theresa Nguyen, chief research officer of Mental Health America, says that people are typically developing health literacy through online searching related to their mental health. (Nguyen and Mental Health America were not involved in the Made of Millions report.)
That research can include reading about symptoms, spending time in forums dedicated to a certain condition, viewing influencer content on social media, and taking mental health screeners.
Every year, two million people in the U.S. take a Mental Health America screener for mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, and psychosis. Users can print out the results and take them to a physician or therapist for follow-up.
Overall, Nguyen believes that many young people have "enormous capacity" to research mental health online, explore social media, and post their own content, all while making timely decisions about seeking out professional guidance or care.
Still, social media posts with high engagement that treat mental health labels, including textbook diagnoses, with surprising casualness can give the impression that Gen Z is eager to adopt certain conditions as a fad.
Chatterjee says the ease with which Gen Z talks about mental health online can both empower and mislead them, depending on the context and person.
"Just because it's filling a void, doesn't mean that it's actually helping in the long run."
There are scammers in the mental health and well-being space, for example, who cultivate a following by validating their fans' experiences and building a well-intentioned community all while selling an unproven treatment or so-called cure.
Chatterjee warns that young people searching for help can fall into these traps, believing they've found an explanation for their emotional or psychological suffering, as well as a community to belong to as they navigate it.
"Just because it's filling a void, doesn't mean that it's actually helping in the long run," Chatterjee says. "Not all content is created equal."
If someone has found an influencer or community they like in the process of self-diagnosis, Chatterjee recommends remaining critical about how those resources contribute to their recovery.
She also advises people to vet the influencers they follow. That can include checking their academic credentials, whether they're affiliated with a professional organization like the American Psychological Association, and evaluating with skepticism any claims they make.
Angel, 23, was diagnosed with OCD as a young adult after receiving an incorrect diagnosis as a teenager. After learning they actually had OCD, Angel spent considerable time online researching the condition and looking for community. (Angel requested that their last name not be used to protect their privacy.)
For Angel, who has often felt isolated by their OCD, the research connected them to important resources and supportive peers. But the internet also became risky at times.
They began spending hours on a subreddit about OCD, partly to make themselves feel better about their own recovery journey. Angel decided at that point to delete Reddit from their phone as a way of balancing their desire for information with maintaining positive well-being.
Angel tries to focus their attention on practical information, like insights about OCD flare-ups and techniques for managing symptoms.
"I feel like the internet can be helpful but also not helpful," Angel says. "It all depends on how you learn to use it. I've been making sure to learn to use it properly."
Topics Mental Health Social Good Social Media
