Gen Z and the Self Diagnosing Spiral: A Psychiatrist’s Perspective
Written by Dr. Sakshi (MBBS, MD Psychiatry)
In the age of YouTube shorts, Reddit threads, and Instagram reels, Gen Z is more connected to information than any generation before. They are digital natives who grew up Googling symptoms, watching mental health influencers, and engaging with self-care trends. While access to mental health information has empowered many, it’s also led to a concerning trend: the rise of self diagnosing.
As a psychiatrist, I often meet young adults who walk into my clinic convinced they have ADHD, autism, bipolar disorder, or some other condition. Many have already labeled themselves based on a video they watched or a quiz they took online. While raising awareness is crucial, the overreliance on social media to self diagnose complex conditions can be misleading, and even harmful.
The Rise of Self-Diagnosing Culture
Gen Z prides itself on emotional openness and destigmatizing mental health conversations. They speak freely about anxiety, trauma, and neurodivergence. However, in this openness lies a new risk: the normalization of self diagnosing without clinical evaluation. Platforms like Instagram & youtube have millions of videos tagged #ADHD or #autism, where creators share symptoms or “relatable signs” that viewers often internalize. This trend, while well-intentioned, has blurred the lines between clinical reality and online content.
Why Is Gen Z Self-Diagnosing?
Several reasons fuel this phenomenon:
- Accessibility to Information: Social media and mental health blogs provide instant access to symptoms and diagnostic criteria, often oversimplified.
- Long Wait Times for Care: In many regions, it takes months to see a mental health professional. Self-diagnose autism or self-diagnose ADHD searches become an attempt to find answers during the wait.
- Validation and Belonging: Finding a label that explains one’s struggles can offer comfort and community. Gen Z often seeks spaces where they feel seen and heard.
Influencer Culture: When favorite influencers talk openly about their mental health conditions, followers are more likely to compare themselves or adopt similar identities.
The Problem with Self-Diagnosing Mental Disorders
Although seeking self-awareness is not inherently wrong, there are significant pitfalls to self diagnosing mental illnesses:
- Misdiagnosis: Symptoms of different mental disorders often overlap. For example, lack of focus may suggest ADHD but could also stem from trauma, depression, or anxiety. Without a professional evaluation, self-diagnosis risks incorrect labeling.
- Over-pathologizing Normal Experiences: Many TikTok videos describe everyday traits (like disliking loud noises or zoning out) as signs of disorders. This may lead people to believe they are mentally ill when they’re simply human.
- Avoiding Professional Help: Once individuals are convinced they have a condition, they may resist seeing a doctor or therapist, believing they already have answers.
Medication Misuse: Some may push for prescriptions based on self-diagnosis or even self-medicate, which can be dangerous.
Understanding ADHD and Autism: Why You Shouldn't Self Diagnose
Conditions like ADHD and autism exist on a spectrum. While it’s common to self diagnose ADHD after watching someone describe executive dysfunction, or to self diagnose autism due to social difficulties, these disorders require in-depth assessments, developmental history, and clinical observation.
A 60-second reel cannot capture the complexity of neurodivergence
What Gen Z Can Do Instead
- Use Social Media as a Conversation Starter, Not a Diagnostic Tool: It’s okay to resonate with a post, but don’t assume that it confirms a diagnosis. Use it as a prompt to explore your mental health more deeply with a professional.
- Take Professional Mental Health Screenings: Platforms like Psychology Today or licensed mental health websites offer preliminary self diagnosing tools that are more reliable than viral content.
- Consult a Psychiatrist or Therapist: Only a licensed mental health professional can provide a formal diagnosis and recommend a treatment plan.
- Stay Curious, Not Categorical: It’s okay to not know what you’re going through. Focus on the symptoms rather than labeling them prematurely.
A Psychiatrist’s Final Word
Mental health awareness is a great leap forward. Gen Z is breaking stigma and encouraging peers to talk about their struggles. But awareness must walk hand-in-hand with accuracy. Self diagnosing based on social media can give false comfort, breed misinformation, and delay effective care.
If you think you might have a mental health disorder, the best thing you can do is schedule a consultation. Diagnosis is not just about labels — it’s about understanding your mind and finding real, effective support.
Conclusion
The digital age is redefining how we understand mental health. While Gen Z’s willingness to explore emotional wellness is commendable, it’s essential to ensure that exploration is grounded in science, empathy, and professional guidance. Self diagnosing, whether to self diagnose autism or self diagnose ADHD, may feel empowering in the moment, but long-term mental health requires more than hashtags.
Consult with Dr. Sakshi
Practicing at: Diagnomind Clinic, BLK Max Hospital, Indian Spine Institute, and Primus Super Speciality Hospital
Online Consultations Available
DM @drsakshi_psychiatrist or call to book your session
Yes, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is considered a mental illness and a neurodevelopmental disorder. It affects attention, impulse control, and executive functioning. ADHD is recognized as a legitimate mental disorder illness by mental health professionals and requires proper diagnosis and treatment. If you suspect ADHD symptoms, taking a professional mental illness test is recommended.
Yes, anxiety can be classified as a mental illness when it becomes chronic and disrupts daily life. Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, and Social Anxiety Disorder are examples of serious mental illnesses under the anxiety spectrum. While occasional stress is normal, persistent anxiety may indicate a need for mental health support. Consulting a psychiatrist or therapist can help assess whether you are mentally ill and require intervention.
Absolutely. Depression is a common yet serious mental illness that affects mood, energy, and motivation. It’s more than just sadness — it can impact physical health, relationships, and work. If you’re feeling persistently low or emotionally numb, you may be experiencing a mental disorder illness like clinical depression. A mental illness test or psychiatric consultation can provide a proper diagnosis and guide treatment.
Serious mental illnesses (SMIs) include conditions that significantly interfere with major life activities. Common examples are:
Schizophrenia
Bipolar Disorder
Major Depressive Disorder
Severe Anxiety Disorders
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Borderline Personality Disorder
These conditions often require long-term psychiatric care, therapy, and sometimes medication. Early detection through a mental illness test can improve outcomes for the mentally ill and reduce long-term impact.
