POV: You Just Diagnosed Yourself on Instagram

Certified unserious content.

Hey you,

If you’ve ever found yourself mid-scroll watching a reel like, “5 signs you might have high-functioning anxiety,” and suddenly paused like,“Hold up… this is literally me” 

You’re not the only one. We've all been there. The algorithm knows us a little too well sometimes.

Mental health is finally something our generation talks about, memes about, and unpacks in comment sections. And that’s amazing. But let’s talk about the flip side the part where we see a post, a thread, or a 15-second video, and suddenly feel like we’ve cracked our entire psyche wide open.

It’s called self-diagnosing, and while it comes from a very real place of trying to understand ourselves it can get messy.

Why We Self-Diagnose (And Why It Totally Makes Sense): 

Let’s be real. Therapy? Not always accessible. Talking to parents or friends? Can be awkward. Feeling big feelings with no explanation? Exhausting.

So, what do we do? We go online. We search. We relate. We connect dots. We want answers.

And honestly, that makes sense.

We want to know what’s going on in our heads especially when it feels like no one else really gets it. Finding a label that explains why you feel disconnected, overwhelmed, sensitive, or numb? That can feel validating. Comforting, even.

But here’s the soft truth: feeling seen is not the same as being understood.

The Problem with Giving Yourself a Label Too Soon : 

Let’s say you’re struggling to focus lately, your mind feels all over the place, and you keep jumping between tasks. You watch a TikTok about ADHD and suddenly it clicks. “This explains everything.”

Except… ADHD shares symptoms with anxiety.

Which shares symptoms with trauma.

Which shares symptoms with burnout.

Which could be impacted by your sleep, hormones, or even just life being a lot lately.

Mental health is layered. It’s not one-size-fits-all. What looks like a perfect match online might be a totally different story offline.

And when we self-diagnose, we risk:

1. Holding onto a label that doesn’t actually fit

2. Missing out on the real root of what’s going on

3. Trying random coping tools that weren’t made for us

4. Carrying the weight of something we don’t need to

What to Do Instead (Gentle, Not Judgy): 

Here’s the thing: self-awareness is amazing. Keep that. Own that. But maybe we can shift the vibe from “I have this” to “I’m noticing this and I want to explore it more.”

Here’s how:

1. Stay curious, not conclusive.

Mental health is a journey, not a diagnosis scavenger hunt. Ask questions. Notice patterns. Don’t rush to label.

2. Talk to someone who’s trained to help.

Therapists don’t just check boxes, they understand context, trauma, history, and emotion. They hold space for the stuff Google can’t.

3. Use social media as inspiration, not confirmation.

If a post hits deep, write it down. Reflect. But don’t let it be the final word on your experience.

Remember: You don’t need a diagnosis to deserve support. 

Struggling is enough. Confusion is enough. Wanting help is enough.

You Are Not a Label, You Are a Living, Breathing Story. 

Here’s the part I wish someone told all of us sooner:

You don’t need to figure yourself out in one night. You don’t have to perfectly define your pain.

You’re allowed to just feel. Question. Exist. Grow.

So the next time a reel, post, or quiz makes you go “OMG that’s me,” take a breath.

Be curious. Be gentle. And remember: being human is complicated and that’s okay.

With you, 

Muskaan Pandit 

Counseling psychologist & co-founder at allagi