A Child Psychiatrist’s Perspective on Teens’ Social Media Self-diagnoses

WRITTEN BY HEATHER ZALUSKI, MD, MA, DFAACAP

BOARD CERTIFIED CHILD PSYCHIATRIST, HZMD CONSULTING (HELENA, MT) INTEGRATED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROVIDER, MONTANA PEDIATRICS

As we navigate the digital age, social media has become an integral part of everyday life. While it offers benefits, the use of social media can also have some unintended consequences. One area where we see both potential benefit and potential harm is in the use of social media to explore a child’s own mental health questions and concerns.

While we tend to hear more about the negative aspects of social media, it is worth recognizing there are potential positive aspects of online communities that come together around a shared set of symptoms, struggles or diagnoses. Specifically, social media can create access to a peer community that many teens would not otherwise have. This benefit can be especially valuable for teens living in rural communities where they may feel like they are alone in their struggles, and in this way can help to decrease the sense of isolation and the stigma associated with mental health conditions and neurodiversity.

Online communities are often characterized by an abundance of personal stories and interactions that may help teens to educate themselves, their families and their friends about their unique experiences or diagnoses. This type of information can be extremely helpful, but also requires a cautious approach to ensure it does not become a source of harmful misinformation. These communities can also be a helpful way for adolescents without professional support to potentially begin a journey toward diagnosis and greater support and treatment. But isolated self or peer diagnosis can miss the nuances of full diagnostic criteria. It is important to approach the idea of a self-diagnosis with caution and seek professional guidance before applying labels that may be inaccurate or harmful to the individual.

Some parents find that their child has turned to social media to explore their relationship to specific conditions or behaviors. Depending upon the platform and the specific groups a child may encounter, this exposure and experience may take many forms. One trend, for example, is “TikTok Tics” where the short form videos portray a dramatized and often inaccurate version of Tourette’s syndrome. The videos show a sudden onset of debilitating tics that include self-harm or the involuntary repetition of words that do not reflect the true nature or scope of the disorder. While these videos and others like it may not represent behaviors that would be diagnostic for Tourette’s syndrome, they can still influence the behavior of a child looking for ways to express concern, individuality or other aspects of their life experience. If a child begins to mimic this type of content it is important to find a way to see the child’s behavior as an opportunity to be open and validating of their emotions as a step toward establishing trust and seeking answers and healthy coping strategies together.

The teen years are a time of self-discovery when kids are trying to make sense of themselves in the world. Social media has created new avenues for self-exploration and introduced new sources of connection and information far beyond those of the local community. Although it may be overwhelming for parents, speaking about things children see on social media is an opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions and support the development of emotional wellbeing as well as exploration of identity without judgment.

When faced with a child’s exploration of a new aspect of mental health or neurodiversity, familiarize yourself with reputable resources of information to help guide your engagement with your child. Look for resources that offer specific suggestions for how to assist your child in the exploration of their identity, beliefs, relationships and place in their expanding world. It is important to encourage self-expression and self-exploration while also providing access to professional guidance and accurate information. The information available online cannot replace an evaluation by a trained specialist. While waitlists can often be lengthy, qualified healthcare professionals who can assess and provide an accurate diagnosis are available if needed, often both online and in person. Supporting our children’s mental health requires being informed, patient and present. Navigating the digital age can be daunting, but with the right approach and support, we can help our children develop a positive relationship with their mental health and guide them through their tumultuous teen years.

Heather Zaluski, MD, MA, DFAACAP is a Board Certified Child Psychiatrist, HZMD Consulting (Helena, MT) Integrated Behavioral Health Provider, Montana Pediatrics