An estimated two million young people in Britain are self-diagnosing mental health problems without consulting a medical professional, according to new research from insurer AXA Health.
The report’s findings highlight a growing reliance on social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram for what young Brits see as expert guidance for conditions ranging from anxiety and depression to neurodiverse challenges such as ADHD and autism.
The survey found that nearly 30 percent of 16- to 24-year-olds have stated that they are suffering from mental health problems before ever speaking to a doctor. Of that cohort, approximately 11 percent attribute their symptoms to neurodiverse conditions. The trend underscores a broader concern as a growing mental health crisis impacts education engagement, workforce participation and ultimately economic productivity.
Industry observers say the rise in self-diagnosis is partly driven by insufficient access to professional mental health care. With both public and private healthcare channels struggling with long waiting lists, many young people feel cut off from timely, tailored support. Instead, they turn to social media, where content creators – often without medical qualifications – share personal experiences or oversimplified symptom lists that can be misleading.
Dr. Will Shield, a psychologist at the University of Exeter, warns that this environment risks classifying normal emotions as pathology. “Social media can be incredibly powerful, but it is rife with misinformation. Without professional insight, young people can misinterpret ordinary feelings as signs of serious conditions,” he said.
While influencers can raise awareness, their highly individualized stories rarely take into account variations in how circumstances play out. ADHD, for example, manifests itself differently in everyone. Interpreting such anecdotal experiences without clinical context can lead to unnecessary anxiety, inappropriate self-labeling, and misguided attempts at self-care.
The AXA Health report also found that twice as many people use social media to identify potential mental health problems than physical ailments – a worrying indicator that digital platforms are exerting an outsized influence on psychological well-being. With economic and social consequences hanging in the balance, these findings lead to urgent calls for better mental health education, better access to professional services, and stricter regulation of online health content.
If left unaddressed, the reliance on self-diagnosis and informal guidance threatens to worsen an already stressed mental health landscape. The challenge lies in empowering young people to distinguish between credible sources and myths on social media, while policymakers, healthcare providers and employers work together to provide reliable, accessible mental health care.