Over the past few years, many of the people who come into my clinic for help with anxiety and OCD arrive with a diagnosis they have given themselves. They have watched dozens of short videos online. They have saved posts. They have followed creators who speak about mental health. They have taken quizzes. They have recognised parts of themselves in what they have seen. Sometimes this is helpful. Social media has reduced stigma. It has helped people feel less alone. It has encouraged many to seek support who otherwise might not have. But increasingly, I am seeing the other side of this trend. I am seeing people who are confused, frightened, and misinformed about their mental health because of what they have absorbed online.
TikTok, in particular, has become one of the main sources of mental health information for young people and adults alike. Its algorithm rewards content that is emotional, dramatic, relatable, and easily digestible. This creates a perfect environment for simplified and sometimes misleading explanations of complex conditions. OCD is one of the most misunderstood disorders on social media. Many TikTok videos describe OCD as being about liking things tidy, being organised, or being bothered by mess. Others list “signs you have OCD” such as overthinking, worrying, wanting things done properly, or double checking work. While these experiences can be part of anxiety, they are not what defines OCD. True OCD is driven by intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviours aimed at reducing fear. It is not about preference. It is about distress.
When people repeatedly see oversimplified content, they start to doubt their own experiences. Some people who genuinely have OCD think they cannot have it because they are not neat. Others assume they have OCD when their difficulties are better explained by stress, trauma, depression, or general anxiety. This confusion delays appropriate treatment.
Another issue is the way TikTok presents coping strategies. Many videos promote quick fixes. They suggest that anxiety can be cured through affirmations, mindset shifts, manifestation, or avoiding triggers. While some of these ideas can be supportive in certain contexts, they are not evidence based treatments for OCD.
For someone with OCD, avoidance and reassurance often make symptoms worse. Yet many online creators encourage exactly these behaviours. For example, someone with contamination fears may be told to “protect their peace” by avoiding public spaces. Someone with intrusive thoughts may be told to “replace negative thoughts with positive ones.” Someone who seeks reassurance may be encouraged to ask friends for constant validation. These strategies feel good in the moment. They reduce anxiety temporarily. But they reinforce the OCD cycle.
Another concerning trend is the romanticising of mental illness. Some content portrays anxiety and OCD as quirky traits that make people special, sensitive, or deep. While this may reduce shame for some, it can also trivialise the suffering of those who are genuinely debilitated. OCD is not an aesthetic. It is not a personality type. It is a serious condition that can affect relationships, work, parenting, and quality of life. There is also pressure to publicly identify with diagnoses. People feel they must label themselves in order to belong. This can lead to rigid self concepts. Someone may start to think I am an anxious person or I am OCD, rather than I am a person experiencing anxiety right now. This can undermine recovery.
None of this means TikTok is all bad. Many qualified clinicians and advocates use the platform responsibly. They share accurate information. They normalise seeking help. They challenge myths. They encourage evidence based treatment. The problem is that it is very difficult for viewers to tell the difference between credible information and confident sounding misinformation. Algorithms do not prioritise accuracy. They prioritise engagement. As a result, the loudest voices are not always the most informed. For parents, this can be especially difficult. They worry about what their children are consuming. Teenagers may diagnose themselves based on trends. Families may become confused about what support is needed.
So how should people approach mental health content on social media. First, treat it as a starting point, not a diagnosis. If something resonates, that is a cue to seek professional advice, not to assume certainty. Second, be wary of content that promises quick fixes or certainty. Mental health is complex. Ethical professionals are cautious, nuanced, and honest about limitations. Third, notice how content makes you feel. If watching mental health videos increases your anxiety, reinforces avoidance, or makes you feel hopeless, it may not be helping. Finally, remember that recovery often involves doing things that feel uncomfortable at first. Good treatment for OCD is not always popular online because it involves facing fears rather than avoiding them.
If you are concerned that social media has shaped your understanding of your mental health in ways that feel confusing or unhelpful, speaking with a qualified psychologist can help you sort through what applies to you and what does not. Evidence based support can provide clarity in a world full of noise.
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This blog was written and prepared by Dr Celin Gelgec – Clinic Director and Clinical Psychologist at Melbourne Wellbeing Group.