Let's admit that social networks, more than the informative approach, have the entertainment effect as primary. But, we believe that it has happened to you that as you go from one video to another, you also come across videos where different advice is distributed for mental health problems, from depression, anxiety, etc.
TikTok is one of the most used apps in the social network range, but experts say that this platform is where a wealth of ideas for food recipes, lifestyle, humorous events, and coping tips unfold. mental health struggles should always be approached with caution.
Risks of getting mental health advice from TikTok:
A 2022 study by virtual healthcare platform PlushCare examined 500 mental health TikTok videos to find out if users of the app were at risk of misinformation. What the researchers found was that 84% of the videos had fraud facts in them.
The Plushcare platform noted the fact that: “While creating content about mental health can help reduce mental health stigma, it also has downsides, such as self-diagnosis and preventing people from seeking further help. "
Most importantly, 100% of the content on ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) contained misleading information. This was followed by bipolar disorder which had 94% misinformation and depression at 90%.
How to tell if someone on social media is a mental health expert:
According to the University of Colorado, social media users should follow these steps to ensure they are receiving accurate advice:
-See credentials: Who is giving advice or posting? What is their origin? Is he a real professional or one of those people who say celery juice cures PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder)
-Data: Is the data based on current science and references? Check specifically for terms, anything that is talked about because there is a good chance that the details are not confirmed
-Anything that resembles a quick rule. The reality of mental illness is that there is no quick fix or one-size-fits-all approach to long-term treatment
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