Social media has revolutionised the way people communicate and express themselves. However, psychiatrists and medical experts are concerned about the 24x7 random romanticisation of mental illness on social media by Gen-Z. Social media is blurring the lines between ‘mental illness’ and the ‘temporary dip in moods’ in our day-to-day lives.
Gen-Z Lingo
Gen-Z, especially teenagers are on a new wave — consuming content that is “relatable” and makes them shout “Literally Me!” from their seats. Many youngsters casually drop words, memes, and representational images of “Depressed”, “Anxiety,” “Loony”, “Dead” “Frustrated”, “Kill Me”, “Disturbed”, “Bipolar Boss” and “Going Mental” on their Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and TikTok accounts without realising the seriousness of the words and images. Teenager Sarvajeet Dedhia’s (name changed), memes on Attention-Deficit/ Hyperac-tivity Disorder (ADHD) make him feel more accepted by the Insta community. He says, “It turns you into a fun person. Memes on mild conditions like ADHD become more manageable with humour, otherwise, you’re seen as ‘someone with issues’ which hurts self-esteem.” However, the humour falls flat when it comes to jokes about death and suicide. For many youngsters, the tragic episode of Sushant Singh Rajput’s death serves as a stark reminder of the Internet’s potential insensitivity towards mental health struggles. Khushi Darji (21), commerce student says, “The humour just disappears when you see someone getting trolled for having depression or anxiety.”
Depression or Monday Blues?
While it may seem quite tempting to share a frustrated rant about your day with a hashtag that says ‘Depressed’, experts want you to take a step back and reassess your decision. “There is a difference between a disturbance and a disorder. Social media can blur the line between a temporary dip in the mood versus a diagnosable disorder,” says
Dr Aditya Tiwari, a Mumbai-based psychiatrist. He further states, “It’s okay to vent online about a rough day, but self-diagnosing your condition as ‘Depression’ is not. True disorders meet specific criteria and require professional evaluation.” As per Tiwari, the loose use of terms like ‘Depression’ and ‘Anxiety’ is superficial.
Echoing his views, Dr. Dinal Vora, an M.D. in Homeopathic psychiatry, states, “While Gen-Z is by far, the most vocal generation about mental health, they also seek more attention for their problems rather than solving them.” The ability of social media to make information accessible and engaging keeps us hooked to our screens.
A survey done by the Sattva Foundation in 2021 on 3,947 Indians revealed that 65% of the group credited social media for increasing their awareness of mental health issues. However, this awareness does not prevent Gen-Z from using terms without fully grasping their complexities. “The age group from 18-22 uses more psychiatric-lingo to describe what’s happening to them. They speak about their issues as an illness, not symptoms,” says Dr Vora.
Unnecessary Glorification
The awareness about mental health has increased exponentially, but so has the unnecessary glorification of mental illnesses. The phenomenon is aptly described in the journal article, “Concerns Regarding the Glorification of Mental Illness on Social Media” by Jai Ahuja and Palak Fichadia which states: “Through an amalgamation of curated content, relatable memes, and 'literally me’ characters, Generation Z finds itself immersed in a digital landscape where mental health challenges are romanticized rather than understood.”
A Complex Issue
Vinita Khanduri, a clinical psychologist and counsellor says that many young patients arrive with parents who have Internet diagnoses they firmly believe in. “Usually, such people impose their interpretations on you and window-shop for doctors until they find the one who conforms to their analysis. Their behaviour indicates a lack of seriousness towards grave issues like anxiety and depression.”
It is easy for Gen-Z to give labels when it comes to mental health. “Because it is convenient. It is easier than taking responsibility for their actions,” says Dr Tiwari. He explains how low emotional tolerance in youngsters is linked to their pursuit of instant gratification. “Pleasure is easy to attain, resilience is not. Gen-Z’s access to unlimited resources combined with constant exposure to pleasure (via entertainment and social media), makes them less equipped to face the adversaries of life.”
Empathy Is The Key
Raised with fewer restrictions than Millennials (born 1981-1996) or Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964), Gen-Z enjoys greater freedom in self-expression during their young adulthood. So how can a balanced conversation be encouraged around this issue? Experts say “Empathy is the key.” Dr Tiwari and Dr Vora recommend cross-generational conversations to bridge the gap where seniors gain an appreciation for independence, while the youth can learn the benefits of self-control and discipline. Khanduri believes a stronger emphasis on education and sensitizing mental health among youngsters could help build a safer and more inclusive space for everyone.
The subjectivity of mental health, shaped by our unique experiences, highlights the importance of open communication. As our interpretations of the world around us can differ greatly, cross-generational discussions can foster understanding. Furthermore, in today’s social media landscape, mindful expression and consumption are crucial for navigating the online world’s impact on mental well-being.
There is a difference between a disturbance and a disorder. Social media can blur the line between a temporary dip in the mood versus a diagnosable disorder.” — Dr Aditya Tiwari, psychiatrist, Mumbai
While Gen-Z is by far, the most vocal generation about mental health, they also seek more attention for their problems rather than solving them.” — Dr Dinal Vora,
M.D. in Homeopathic psychiatry
Their behaviour indicates a lack of seriousness towards grave issues like anxiety and depression.” — Vinita Khanduri, clinical psychologist and counsellor
