In today’s world, medical and psychological terms that were once used only by professionals are now part of everyday conversations. It’s not unusual to hear someone casually call their ex a narcissist or describe themselves as “a bit OCD.” People might even use social media to figure out if they have ADHD or anxiety—all without ever seeing a doctor.

Professor Jill Newby, a clinical psychologist at UNSW Sydney, says it’s no surprise. With 24/7 access to online information, self-diagnosing has never been easier. Online quizzes, TikTok therapists, and YouTube “experts” make it tempting to try to label what we’re feeling.

The internet also removes some of the barriers to seeking help. Seeing a psychologist can be expensive. There may be long waitlists. And some people feel embarrassed asking health professionals personal questions. By contrast, browsing mental health information online feels private, immediate, and free from judgment.

But there are dangers to diagnosing yourself—or others—without proper training. According to Prof. Newby, the idea of people turning to books or the internet to figure out what’s going on isn’t new. In the past, people relied on self-help books. Today, it’s websites and videos.

What concerns her is that the quality of this information varies greatly. Often, the most viewed content online is the most dramatic, not the most accurate. Algorithms prioritize popularity, not accuracy, and people are drawn to alarming headlines or personal stories. This can lead people into a spiral of anxiety, constantly clicking through scary information that might not apply to them.

If the advice is coming from someone without medical training, it can be misleading—or completely wrong. Worse, it could delay proper treatment or lead people to try the wrong solutions.

Even when the information isn’t entirely false, everyday use of psychological terms can blur the line between normal feelings and real disorders. Words like “trauma,” “anxiety,” and “depression” are now used to describe common experiences like bad meetings or feeling down after a breakup. But clinical depression and anxiety disorders involve symptoms that last a long time and interfere with daily life.

By using serious terms to describe everyday stress, we may lose sight of what those words truly mean. This could result in both overdiagnosing ourselves and underestimating the seriousness of actual disorders.

It’s not just self-diagnosis, either. People are quick to label others, especially in moments of conflict. Calling someone a narcissist, autistic, or a sociopath without proper understanding can be harmful. Prof. Newby warns that casual labeling can reinforce stereotypes and take away meaning from real medical conditions.

Still, it’s not all bad news. Prof. Newby points out that access to good, reliable mental health information online can be empowering. For some, learning about a condition online might be the first step in getting real help. It might even help someone realize that a behavior they thought was a personal failing—like laziness or forgetfulness—is actually a symptom of something treatable.

There’s also a human reason behind our need to label things. It gives us a sense of control and helps make sense of confusing emotions. Using psychological terms in everyday life may even help reduce stigma and make it easier to talk about mental health.

In the end, Prof. Newby says the goal should be balance. It’s good to learn and understand mental health concepts. But we also need to recognize the limits of self-diagnosis.

The challenge is to keep the openness and accessibility that the internet brings—while still valuing the expertise of trained professionals who can guide people to the right diagnosis and treatment.

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**Additional Resources on Heart Health**

If you care about heart health, consider reading these important studies:

– Manganese can help clear arterial plaques and treat heart disease
– Aspirin use linked to heart failure
– Blood thinner drugs that can prevent strokes in people with hidden heart issues
– New guidelines on daily aspirin for heart attack and stroke prevention
https://knowridge.com/2025/10/self-diagnosis-on-the-rise-helpful-or-harmful/