The Risks of Self Diagnosing a Mental Disorder Using Social Networking

The Risks of Self-Diagnosing a Mental Disorder Using Social Networking

I finally recognized myself, reveals Virginie*, 31 years old. It is a 10-slide publication summarizing the main lines of the eating disorder without clinical specification, written by a very popular Quebec content creator who put into words what the young woman was going through.

“I was like, ‘Oh my god, this is it! It corresponds 100% to my daily feelings.” »

— A quote from Virginie

Virginie developed unhealthy eating habits in her early twenties. From intense running to meal plans offered by nutrition coaches, she maintained her body image ounce for ounce. I’m starving. I was so hungry, she insists.

Though she thinks she’s given up the excesses, she admits she still lives with guilt on a daily basis. If she thinks she’s eaten too much, she’s overtrained. It’s really commonplace. I get up. i feel fat I tell myself I ate too much. It’s built in, she blurts out before her voice breaks.

Honestly, if I hadn’t seen that [publication], I don’t think I would have seen such a red flag. It’s a problem I have. It’s there, it’s within reach.

On social media, this content, sometimes personal testimonies or lists of symptoms, arouses curiosity but also pushes some people to stick to the rules and self-diagnose mental health problems.

I have patients who come into the office and say to me, “Here is what I have, ma’am,” says Dr. Lily Trudeau-Guévin, a psychologist at CLSC Saint-Laurent’s youth psychiatric program in Montreal.

Most often, his patients have come to these conclusions by consulting lists of symptoms on the Internet.

“Some people say to me, ‘Here’s my diagnosis. I think I’m bipolar because I meet the criteria and I really identify with that.’ »

— A quote from Dr. Lily Trudeau-Guévin

In Quebec, only a doctor or psychiatrist — or under certain conditions, a super nurse — can make the official diagnosis that goes on your medical record and prescribe treatment. Psychologists can give diagnostic impressions, which the Order of Psychologists of Quebec (OPQ) calls a psychological diagnosis.