IIn the 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 tendency for many people. There is an allure in online quizzes and symptom checklists that promise a diagnosis within minutes, as they can provide a sense of control over your psychological well-being. But underneath there can be a lot of misinformation, misinterpretation and conflicting advice.
When I first met Emily*, she was a bright and ambitious finance student in college navigating the turbulent waters of young adulthood. I asked her why she was here and she informed me she had anxiety, depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In her quest for self-understanding, she recounted how she stumbled upon a wealth of articles and online discussions that explored various mental health conditions. This discovery sparked her curiosity and drove her on a quest to unravel the mysteries of her own mind.
She carefully analyzed her thoughts and feelings, cross-checking symptoms with diagnostic criteria – and with each new revelation, she told me she felt a surge of confirmation, as if she had unearthed the missing pieces of her identity. At first, Emily said her self-diagnosis seemed accurate. She attributed her restless energy and scattered thoughts to ADHD, her constant worries to anxiety and her fluctuating moods to depression. It was a comforting story and easily digestible for her and her closest friends who knew she was struggling. Yet, beneath the surface lies a tangled web of complexity.
Over time, Emily’s symptoms worsened, intertwined and overlapped in what we know as comorbidity. The lines between her self-diagnosed conditions blurred, making her question whether she was being accurate. Her university studies suffered and she began to close herself off from family and friends. What began as a search for understanding actually sent her spiraling into a maze of confusion, frustration and despair.
A few months later, Emily’s fragility was further shattered by the loss of her mother. Their relationship was complicated and she found herself tormented by flashbacks and nightmares. It was only then that she sought professional help.
Emily told me that she had been self-diagnosing her mental health symptoms for almost six years. “It started in my late teens – I felt ashamed and didn’t want to talk about it with anyone,” she revealed.
Through therapy, we began to unravel the tangled threads of her mind, gradually empowering her to regain power over her life. As we delved deeper, the layers of her past unfolded, revealing a tapestry woven with childhood trauma and troubling family dynamics. Emily recounted experiences of neglect under the care of her single mother, who strove tirelessly to provide for Emily and her older brother. Emily painfully revealed that her mother admitted she only wanted her brother at first, and when she learned of her unexpected pregnancy eight years later, she had thoughts of terminating Emily before anyone found out she was pregnant.
It became clear that Emily was struggling with complex trauma, as well as ADHD. Her mood swings and anxiety stemmed from 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 symptomatic of the wider complex trauma she had endured.
Looking back, Emily realizes how poor her DIY diagnosis was. What seemed like a shortcut to self-awareness instead led her down a dangerous path of insecurity and self-doubt. It was the human connection through group and individual therapy sessions that provided healing. Through these interactions, Emily learned to establish healthy boundaries, experienced a significant relief from her low moods, and saw a marked improvement in her sense of self-worth.
It is important to recognize the connection between our mental health and physical health. When people self-diagnose, they may not take a holistic view of their overall health.
Vitamin deficiencies, iron levels, thyroid problems and sleep disturbances can mimic symptoms of mental health disorders, leading to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. For example, a vitamin D deficiency has been associated with symptoms such as fatigue, low mood and cognitive impairment, which can resemble depression or anxiety. Similarly, insufficient levels of vitamin B12 can manifest as irritability, which reflects symptoms of mood disorders. Additionally, disruptions in sleep patterns, whether due to insomnia or sleep apnea, can exacerbate symptoms of anxiety, depression, and ADHD, further complicating the diagnostic process.
It is crucial for healthcare providers to consider these physiological factors when evaluating patients for mental health issues, as addressing underlying deficits and sleep disturbances may alleviate or even resolve apparent psychiatric symptoms.
Mental health conditions are complex and multifaceted, defying easy categorization or interpretation. While the Internet can be a valuable tool for education and awareness, it is no substitute for the expertise of trained professionals.
*NNames have been changed for privacy and Emily’s story is an amalgamation of several cases
