C-Force: Do the Self-Diagnosed Have a Fool for a Client?

In many ways, coverage of the Olympics and Paralympic Games represents a much-needed unifying and normalized experience for us. It couldn't come at a better time given the divisive, fear-inducing and pressure-packed times in which we live. The games are also a vivid reminder of how today's emerging technologies rule the world. According to NewscastStudio, we are witnessing the "most technologically advanced Olympic coverage" ever, providing 400 hours of high-resolution programming spread among multiple networks and platforms. NBC's Peacock network is "serving as the streaming hub for all 329 medal events," providing unprecedented access for us to watch at our convenience. NBC Sports has also "partnered with Google to integrate AI-powered features into its Olympic coverage."

The games are also a reminder of how the world, as well as our connection to it, has shifted since the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a shift that has a profound impact, both good and bad, say many experts, on both our physical and mental health. "The internet has become the first point of contact for people seeking more information about their physical and mental health," a recent Bridgeable consultancy report reminds us. This shift has led to a rise of a "self-diagnosis culture, in which users seek out insights into mental health and medical conditions from content creators," as psychologist Ray W. Christner of Psychology Today puts it. The act of self-diagnosis online is not new, but according to Taleen Lara Ashekian in a report for The Conversation, "Online health information took on a new importance during the pandemic, when using online sources to assess COVID-19 symptoms and self-triage was encouraged."

According to Bridgeable, "A recent study from Harvard discovered that more than a third of adults in the US regularly use the internet to self-diagnose. This number is undeniably low as it doesn't include the recent tide of young people using social media platforms."

"Self-diagnosis is increasingly common among teenagers," Katy Gillett of The National notes.

According to Christner, the social media platform TikTok has now "expanded beyond its original primary use as an entertainment platform to become a significant source of health information. ... While the platform has undoubtedly fostered greater awareness and openness around mental health, it also carries the risk of misinformation and oversimplification. ... TikTok's format, favoring brief content, often cannot capture the complexity of medical conditions, potentially leading viewers to an incorrect self-diagnosis. The platform's algorithm may also create echo chambers that reinforce false beliefs, delaying proper treatment or leading to inappropriate self-management strategies."

Christner adds that "TikTok highlights the double-edged sword of social media's role in mental health awareness," as it can "promote self-diagnosis or self-treatment without professional guidance. ... Additionally, this trend can exacerbate health anxiety, with the fear of having various conditions becoming a stressor in itself."

"As artificial intelligence gains ground, we can't ignore its potential to augment the diagnostic process," the Bridgeable report reads. "The problem lies in the lack of quality health information online and people's inability to interpret that information accurately. Combine that with the fact that only a small percentage of the US population is considered health literate, and you have a recipe for misinformation that can negatively impact people."

"Virtual care and online self-diagnosis share some beneficial traits," Ashekian writes, "such as the convenience of not having to schedule an appointment, saving travel time to the doctor's office and avoiding waiting rooms. However, the key difference between virtual care and Googling symptoms is that there is no direct communication with a physician when self-diagnosing online. ... For example, if a person confidently self-diagnoses their stomach pains as the stomach flu, they may hesitate to believe their doctor's diagnosis of appendicitis. ... The risks of using online health resources also include increased anxiety and fear." There is now a term in popular use, "cyberchondria," which Ashekian defines as "a high amount of health anxiety from searching symptoms on the internet."

"Social networks have also enabled people with mental health problems to feel unity by sharing experiences and support," Ashekian writes. "This may also have contributed to self-diagnosis (and potentially self-misdiagnosis) of mental health issues, such as anxiety and personality disorders. This can put people at physical and mental risk if it results in inappropriate treatments."

Ashekian advises to always consult with a health care professional before drawing conclusions about your health based on social media content. Christner adds that "while it's tempting to find answers online, be cautious of communities that promote self-diagnosis or self-treatment without professional guidance. If you think you need help, seek out and talk to a mental health professional or your primary care physician."

"For the typical person, these resources alleviate much of the friction associated with navigating the healthcare system," Bridgeable reports. "Issues like long wait times for appointments, high bureaucratic load, and needing to take time off from work add barriers to care." But "as more and more information is added online, it becomes increasingly difficult to vet the quality of what people are reading."

"Self-medication after self-diagnosis poses significant risks including choosing the wrong medications or dosages, overlooking harmful drug interactions, and opening a risk to addiction and dependency," Carla Khalil, a clinical neuropsychologist from The Valens Clinic Dubai, explains to Gillett.

"There are more than 200 types of mental health conditions, according to Cleveland Clinic," Gillett writes. "Each diagnosis can have a range of symptoms that overlap with each other and vary widely from person to person in terms of severity and duration."

It is important to point out that social networks can empower individuals to take control of their health and become proactive in seeking treatment. Social networks can also help reduce the stigma associated with certain conditions, especially in mental health. But one must always be aware of the potential risks of self-diagnoses.

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Follow Chuck Norris through his official social media sites, on Twitter @chucknorris and Facebook's "Official Chuck Norris Page." He blogs at http://chucknorrisnews.blogspot.com. To find out more about Chuck Norris and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.