E D I T O R ' S Q U E S T I O N
There is an overwhelming plethora of wellbeing content in online spaces , especially on platofrms like Instagram and TikTok . The majority is focused on mental health and neurodivergence , with bitesize snippets of information on complex topics such as ADHD , depression and childhood trauma . Often , the creators of such content are qualified in either counselling or psychology .
The resultant videos or infographics present bullet points of information to ostensibly help viewers , with content designed for maximum follows , likes and shares . TikTok videos often open with sweeping statements such as ‘ five ways to overcome your avoidant attachment from a qualified psychologist ’ and Instagram posts will announce , in pastel colours and bubble font , ways to identify the signs of depression .
Online wellbeing content is leading to a huge rise in self-diagnosis , a rise that is presented as empowering by those who create and consume this content . In some ways , selfdiagnosis is a rebellion against long NHS waiting lists and expensive private healthcare ; professional diagnoses are often inaccessible for many . In many ways , self-diagnoses are the inevitable result of a healthcare system with long waiting lists ; the current waiting time for both autism and ADHD assessments is approximately 6 – 9 months according to ADHD UK . It is understandable why self-diagnosis is seen as an empowering act in a system that fails those most in need of support .
Perhaps wellbeing content creators have achieved their success in response to the number of people seeking official diagnosis or perhaps are partly the cause of this number .
Either way , thousands of people are producing wellbeing content on commoditised apps without asking themselves if it is ethical or not . I ’ m sure that there is a lot of accurate , ethical wellbeing content that genuinely has a positive impact on those who engage with it .
However , there is a dark side to the trend . As a practising therapist , I have had clients feel utterly broken by the rush of content that tells them everything that is wrong with them . I have seen young women who feel unfixable because a pastel infographic hasn ’ t ‘ cured ’ their panic attacks or OCD .
Commoditised technology profits from those who are seeking support . It has led to the oversimplification of mental health issues and neurodivergence to generate engagement , no matter the accuracy of resultant selfdiagnoses . The true cost to wellbeing is enormous and I expect to see many more clients who have been negatively impacted by these trends . �
IMOGEN WADE
THERAPIST AT VELARIS COUNSELLING
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