Social Media and Mental Health Diagnosis

Author: Madeline Grech (Clinical Psychology Registrar | MClin-Psy | Immersive Psychology Group)

Date: August 2026

Social Media: 

A phrase I have noticed more frequently within the therapy room is, “I know it’s silly, but I saw this [TikTok, Instagram post, Substack article] about [mental health condition] and it got me thinking if I might have that too…”. As we immerse ourselves more often in the lived experience of others online, reflections on our own experiences and a search for diagnostic clarification or certainty may arise. 

The Benefits: 

It’s undeniable that social media has become an engrained part of modern life. It is the medium in which we connect with one another, share information and collectively make sense of the cultural world around us. Within the mental health sphere, social media can be a powerful tool for reducing stigma, disseminating information previously only understood or held by clinicians and kick-starting conversations that may have felt too vulnerable or frightening to have face-to-face. Online spaces can be powerful environments for fostering connection, particularly for those who are isolated or experience disability or barriers to interacting within the physical world.  Through providing people with language to describe and name their experience, people may feel empowered to seek support or community through a shared collective experience. 

Additionally, with increased mental health awareness, social media has helped collectively shape interest and motivation towards mental wellbeing. In reducing the barriers (e.g. time, cost, availability) to psychological support, social media has become a useful tool in empowering individuals to utilise tools and access supports to maintain their own mental wellbeing outside of the therapeutic space. 

The Risks:

But what happens when the post we saw on social media starts to open unexplored possibilities within ourselves?  In making sense of this, the temptation can be to dive into the rabbit hole of ‘Dr Google’ or other short-form content, to ‘self-diagnose’. Whilst some communities such as the neurodivergent community, widely accept self-diagnosis as valid, other conditions may require a formalised diagnostic assessment to confirm symptoms and provide a specialised treatment plan. 

The risk in self-diagnosis is misdiagnosis. Many mental health conditions overlap and what may present on the surface as one condition (for example; difficulty in concentrating in ADHD) may in fact be better represented by symptoms of another (reduced attentional capacity in depression or anxiety). 

Not all information available online is reliable and valid and is largely designed to provide generalised mental health information or advice. A conversation with a trained clinician will take into consideration you as an individual and provide clarification around any questions that you may have. 

When to consider reaching out?

Some presentations can be managed well with individual therapeutic support, although others may require a broader interdisciplinary team or pharmacological intervention. If there is something on your mind that you can’t seem to make sense of alone, there is no concern too big or too small to seek professional opinion regarding.

Clinicians are trained in the assessment of mental health conditions and will take into consideration your current symptoms, lifestyle factors, relationships, early life experiences, family history and culture to ensure you receive a correct diagnosis reflective of your experiences as an individual. To start this conversation with your clinician, let them know:

• What you’ve been noticing (e.g. symptoms, recurring thoughts or worries, bodily sensations)
• How long this has been occurring for
• What you’ve already tried (or not tried!) to assist
• If any of your immediate family members have a similar condition and/or experience 

From here, your clinician will provide their recommendation and talk to you about a range of treatment options informed by evidence-based practice and your individual needs. This is a collaborative process, and your clinician will ensure that you are involved and comfortable at every stage. 

At Immersive Psychology Group, our psychologists work with children, adolescents, adults and couples across a broad range of mental health concerns. We provide evidence-based therapies tailored to your individual needs, including:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Schema Therapy
• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
• Neurodiversity-affirming assessment, diagnosis, and support
• Relationship counselling
• Eating Disorder & Body image support

Whether you have questions about a diagnosis, are concerned about the impact of social media on your mental health or a loved one, or simply want to better understand your experiences, we're here to help.

To book an appointment or learn more about our psychologists’ availability and therapeutic styles, please explore our website or get in touch via admin@immersivepsychologygroup.com or call 0400 428 593.