Aussies Using Internet for Mental Health Self-Diagnosis

Australians are increasingly self-diagnosing complex mental health conditions like ADHD and OCD through social media and AI interactions, raising concerns among experts about misdiagnosis and delayed treatment. Clinical psychologist Prof. Jill Newby warns that relatable online content can blur the lines between normal experiences and mental illness, potentially pathologizing typical emotions. The Australian Medical Association highlights the danger of fake medical professionals online, which erodes trust in genuine clinicians. As people increasingly rely on digital sources, the risk of misinformation and misplaced trust in AI and influencers complicates mental health care.

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