Why seeking help from a therapist is more effective than relying on social media for solving your issues

When facing mental health challenges, many people turn to TikTok rather than consulting professionals.

According to a 2024 KFF Health Misinformation Tracking Poll, 66% of adult TikTok users have encountered mental health-related content on the platform.

"Most people using TikTok will eventually seek mental health advice or referrals from resources within the app," said Dr. Thomas Milam, a psychiatrist and chief medical officer of Iris Telehealth.

This trend is understandable given the shortage of mental health providers, the high cost, and the difficulty in securing an appointment, whereas social media is easily accessible to everyone.

The growing awareness of mental health issues on social platforms is a step forward, according to Lindsay Liben, a psychotherapist based in New York City. "People are becoming much more open about mental health and actively seeking ways to improve their emotional well-being," she noted.

However, diagnosing your own issues through social media is generally not advisable.

The dangers of misleading posts and incorrect diagnoses

Liben noted that some of the information shared online comes from individuals who aren't qualified mental health professionals.

Such posts can often be inaccurate or misleading. A 2023 study published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders found that 41% of TikTok videos on autism contained incorrect information, while 32% made overly broad generalizations.

A 2022 study of 100 TikTok videos published in The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry found that 52% of videos on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) included misleading claims.

A TikTok spokesperson stated that the company takes action against health misinformation by collaborating with independent partners, labeling unverifiable posts, and encouraging users to reconsider sharing unverified content. The spokesperson also mentioned that TikTok's Safety Center provides accurate mental health resources and directs users seeking well-being content to reliable sources.

Milam explained that diagnosing a mental health issue based on a social media post is challenging because the same symptoms may indicate different conditions.

"Certain symptoms like low energy, fatigue, poor concentration, or feeling tired could indicate anxiety or depression," he explained. "But it might also be ADHD, poor sleep, or even the onset of a cold."

Watching a video about a specific issue could mislead viewers into thinking they have it, when their symptoms might be caused by something entirely different.

Sometimes, patients may miss the true cause of their issues. For instance, if a child struggles with sleep, a parent might watch videos on improving sleep habits, not realizing that nightmares due to bullying at school could be the underlying cause, Liben noted.

At times, people may mistakenly believe they have a mental health disorder when in fact, anxiety, sadness, or fear are just normal emotional responses, said Milam, who is also an associate professor of psychology at Virginia Tech’s Carilion School of Medicine.

He emphasized that mental health professionals are trained to listen and properly diagnose patients, a process that cannot be replicated by videos.

Exacerbating issues with products and solutions

Milam pointed out that some individuals sharing mental health content on social media have ulterior motives, such as selling products like sleep aids or vitamins, or keeping viewers hooked for more content. Many self-help posts also offer oversimplified solutions to complex issues.

"For the majority of children dealing with anxiety or depression, quick fixes just aren’t effective," Milam explained.

However, those sharing mental health content often fail to emphasize this fact.

"Videos can make it appear as though problems can be easily solved," Liben said. "When people can’t resolve their issues with the quick fixes they find online, they may feel like failures."

"They tell you to follow these steps, and if it doesn’t work, it can actually set you back or add more stress," she said.

Trusted mental health resources

If individuals turn to the internet for mental health advice, Liben emphasized that they should ensure the content comes from qualified professionals, such as medical doctors, licensed clinical social workers, or licensed mental health counselors.

She recommended looking into the creator’s educational background and qualifications. Additionally, she advised choosing content from creators who are open about their sources and base their advice on reputable research.

Milam suggested that anyone suspecting they have a mental health issue should reach out to their regular healthcare providers, like pediatricians or family doctors, who can offer guidance and refer them to mental health professionals and other relevant resources.

He also recommended checking out resources from the American Psychiatric Association and the American Psychological Association.

Liben suggested that parents refer to the resources for parents provided by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and PBS Kids for Parents.

Addressing the root causes of mental health issues often requires more in-depth intervention than a TikTok video can offer. Experts agree that real solutions are more likely to be found in the office of a therapist than on social media.