While scrolling through social media, I came across reels about depression.
Personal stories of people who overcame depression and their experiences are valuable.
But, those without any prior information or experience sharing professional tips and solutions for depression, is it right to do so?
In recent times, the word “depression” has become an everyday part of the common language.
If a person is not in a good mood, he sits alone for some time. Someone may remove their social media profile pictures or put up some status or quotes related to sadness. The immediate question that comes up is: Are you depressed?
Social media status or profile pics cannot predict a person’s mental well-being
But shouldn’t we know the difference between what depression is and what normal human emotions are?
In such generalization, the people who really go through depression may be misunderstood or may go unseen.
Also, I believe, there should be clear guidelines for the social media influencers to speak on solutions for depression. A licensed professional, doctor, or psychologist should be the one providing clinical guidance.
Sharing one’s personal experience is different from giving absolute medical solutions or advice.
Have you ever felt that mental health terms are being misused on social media?
Yes, mental health terms are being misused on social media. Many people who are actually depressed but are afraid of going to psychologist in the fear of people calling them “mad”. They follow the social media advices and gradually their symptoms worsen. I think a strong people awareness about depression and anxiety being a common mental health problem which can be treated.
An important distinction. Feeling sad is a normal human emotion, while clinical depression is a medical condition diagnosed based on specific criteria, duration, and functional impairment. When we use these terms interchangeably, we not only spread misinformation but also make it harder for people with genuine depression to be understood. Mental health literacy is just as important as mental health awareness.
Very True…Thanks to Social Media and over binging of information, makes people think of small problems as big ones. A person should not rush to judgements about their health on the basis of social media posts, without consulting a professional specialist.
In-depth knowledge of subject like a specialist is required to give suggestion to others. But on social anyone can write anything. Making trivial things as serious ones and vice versa. there is large difference between low mood and depression.
This connects directly to something I posted about recently- “minimally invasive” being used as a marketing phrase rather than a clinical standard.
The pattern is pretty much the same:
a precise term gets diluted through casual overuse until it loses its meaning entirely and then clinicians and patients are no longer speaking the same language.
In medicine and dentistry specifically, imprecise language isn’t just annoying, it has clinical consequences.