DR Google and the Risk of Self Diagnosis

There is a particular trend I have noticed in a percentage of clients I have worked with that continues to ruffle my feathers. This is in no way a judgement, as it can’t be- when it’s clearly a social trend that has been normalised through the access we have to technology, attitudes to mental health and lack of priority we put on our mental wellbeing. The trend I am referring to is the use of Dr google for self-diagnosis, particularly of substantial conditions like depression.

Unsurprisingly, I find the statement ‘I’ve had depression in the past’ usually coincides with a time where alcohol and or drug consumption were high, self-care was low and/ or people were facing particular challenges. When I follow up with ‘who diagnosed that? And/or what treatment did you seek for it? I’m usually told there was no professional advice provided to support this belief. So why are we throwing these terms around so confidently, and why do so many people choose to suffer in silence?

Research confirms that people often try to self-diagnose mental health issues for several reasons:

·       The accessibility: Information is readily available online, making it easy to research symptoms and possible conditions for free in an instant.

·       To avoid stigma:  People often experience shame around their emotions and coping styles, and therefore avoid addressing them and the vulnerability that comes with that from seeking professional help, leading us to self-diagnose instead.

·       Immediacy of answers: The desire for quick answers or understanding about what we are experiencing can drive people to self-diagnose.

·       Financial attitudes: Many people still view counselling and psychotherapy as a privileged luxury rather than an equal priority to hair and beauty, gym memberships and eating out.  

·       Lack of awareness/education: Some people may not realize the importance of professional evaluation and believe self-diagnosis is sufficient.

Self-diagnosing mental health issues can lead to several problems and risks including:

·       Inaccurate diagnosis: Without professional training, we could misinterpret symptoms, leading to incorrect conclusions that can exaggerate or under play what is actually being experienced.

·       Delayed support: Self-diagnosis can delay seeking professional help, worsening the condition over time which can be detrimental to our lives.

·       Unnecessary worry: Misdiagnosing ourselves can cause undue stress and anxiety over a condition that might not exist.

·       Improper treatment: Attempting to treat a self-diagnosed issue unprofessionally can  lead us to using ineffective or harmful methods.

·       Overlooking other conditions: A self-diagnosis might miss underlying medical or psychological conditions that require attention.

Some questions to ponder if you’re tempted to self diagnose are:

·       Why am I seeking this label?

·       What does this label mean to me?

·       What does this label protect me from?

·       What does this label excuse?

·       What do I wish this label was?

·       What factors are contributing to me feeling the way I am feeling?

·       Who could you clarify this assumption with?