IIn an age of information overload, where a world of knowledge is just a click away, the temptation to self-diagnose mental health conditions has become an all-too-common trend for many people. Online quizzes and symptom checklists that promise a diagnosis within minutes have the appeal of giving you a sense of control over your psychological health. But underneath it all, there can be a wealth of misinformation, misconceptions, and contradictory advice.
When I first met Emily*, she was a bright, ambitious finance student in college navigating the turbulent waters of young adulthood. When I asked her why she was here, she said she had anxiety, depression, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). In her quest for self-understanding, she said she came across a plethora of articles and online discussions exploring various mental health conditions. This discovery piqued her curiosity and set her on a quest to unravel the mysteries of her own mind.
She carefully analyzed her thoughts and feelings, cross-referencing symptoms and diagnostic criteria, and with each new revelation, it was as if she were unearthing a missing part of her identity. He said he felt a growing sense of affirmation. At first, Emily said, her self-diagnosis seemed accurate. She attributed her restless energy and distracted thinking to her ADHD, her persistent worry to her anxiety disorder, and her mood swings to depression. Ta. It was a comforting story for her and one that was easy to understand for her and her close friends who knew what she was going through. But beneath the surface were complex threads.
Over time, Emily's symptoms worsened and her so-called comorbidities intertwined and overlapped. The lines between her self-diagnosed conditions blurred and she wondered if she was right. She struggled with her studies at her university and began to close her heart to her family and friends. What began as her quest for understanding actually led her into a maze of confusion, frustration, and her own despair.
Months later, Emily's fragile heart is further shattered by the loss of her mother. Their relationship was complicated and she found herself plagued by flashbacks and nightmares. It was only then that she sought her professional help.
Emily told me that she had been self-diagnosing her mental health symptoms for nearly six years. “It started in her late teens. She was embarrassed and didn't want to tell anyone,” she revealed.
Through therapy, we began to untangle her mind and gradually gave her the strength to take back her power over her life. Digging deeper, layers of her past are revealed, revealing a tapestry of her childhood trauma and troubled family relationships. Emily related her experience of being neglected in the care of her single-parent mother, who was trying tirelessly to support Emily and her brother. Emily learns that her mother originally only wanted her younger brother, and when she learns of her unexpected pregnancy eight years later, she decides to stop Emily before anyone finds out she's pregnant. She painfully revealed that her mother admitted that she had
It is revealed that Emily is struggling not only with ADHD but also with complex trauma. Her mood swings and anxiety resulted from her disturbed attachment patterns, impulsivity, and reliance on maladaptive coping mechanisms such as drinking. Her periods of low mood were not simply isolated events, but rather symptoms of a broader and more complex trauma that she had endured.
Looking back, Emily realized how unwise her DIY diagnosis had been. What seemed like a shortcut to her self-awareness instead led her down a dangerous path of insecurity and self-doubt. It was relationships through group and individual therapy sessions that provided her healing. Through these interactions, Emily learned to establish her healthy boundaries, experienced a significant reduction in her low mood, and witnessed a marked increase in her self-esteem.
It's important to recognize the connection between our mental health and physical health. When people self-diagnose, they may not have a comprehensive picture of their overall health.
Vitamin deficiencies, iron levels, thyroid problems, and sleep disorders can mimic symptoms of mental health disorders and can lead to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. For example, vitamin D deficiency is associated with symptoms such as fatigue, low mood, and cognitive impairment, which can mimic depression and anxiety. Similarly, insufficient levels of vitamin B12 can manifest as irritability and reflect symptoms of a mood disorder. Additionally, disrupted sleep patterns due to insomnia and sleep apnea can worsen symptoms of anxiety, depression, and ADHD, further complicating the diagnostic process.
Addressing underlying deficiencies or sleep disorders may reduce or resolve overt psychiatric symptoms, so healthcare providers should consider these when assessing a patient's mental health concerns. It is very important to consider physiological factors.
Mental health conditions are complex and multifaceted and defy easy classification or interpretation. While the Internet can be a valuable tool for education and awareness, it cannot replace the expertise of trained professionals.
*Name has been modified for privacy and Emily's story is a combination of several cases
