Competing with TikTok: How To Help Guide Youth Through the Social Media Mental Health Diagnosis Maze
摘要
Technology advancement poses a new approach and easier access to mental health information. Adolescents have been increasingly utilizing the internet and social media for self-diagnosis of mental and relational distress. Using a representative case, this article highlights the specific challenges of youth self-diagnosis as well as considerations for clinicians working with those youth and their families as they navigate toward proper strategies and resources.
Recent FindingsBypassing caregivers, teachers, primary care professionals, and psychiatrists, youth may misdiagnose their own difficulties, thus perpetuating inaccurate diagnoses through the mechanism of confirmation bias. This may delay the initiation of proper treatments, possibly induce maladaptive behaviors, as well as the use of un-researched treatments.
SummaryThe easy accessibility of the digital world by youth warrants new treatment approaches in adolescent mental health practice. Recommendations include understanding of the youth self-diagnosis phenomenon, promotion of family-system engagement, and improving access to care. Such approaches may help equip clinicians to better meet the mental health needs of youth and families in this generation.