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In an era where social media dominates daily life, its influence on mental health is undeniable — especially for the younger, most digitally-savvy generations. Our survey explores how constant connectivity impacts mental health and relationships, revealing a troubling reliance on social media for mental health advice. Many self-diagnose conditions based on information they see on social media, but some hesitate to seek professional help. Meanwhile, the casual use of “therapy speak” is fueling relationship doubts, leading a number of people to consider digital detoxes. As social media’s role in our mental health continues to evolve, a Researchscape International survey (on behalf of LifeStance Health) underscores the need for credible information and professional mental health support. Findings from this online survey of 1,110 U.S. adults are noted below with supplemental graphs and visuals shown here.
REPORT FINDINGS
Being “chronically online” is pervasive, especially among younger generations.
Social media is a pervasive presence in our daily lives. Over one-quarter (26%) of respondents check social media within five minutes of waking up, and the same portion (26%) spend four hours or more on social media every day.
More than one-in-five (21%) respondents report experiencing negative impacts on their mental health as a result of this constant online connectivity. This is felt most amongst the youngest generation, jumping to 28% for Gen Z respondents.
Although many are aware of the prevalence of mental health misinformation on social media, people still turn to it for advice.
Nearly one-quarter (23%) of respondents have sought mental health advice on social media. This jumps to 55% for Gen Z, and 30% for millennial respondents. When asked why, nearly half (45%) say they have turned to social media for mental health advice due to its convenience and immediacy. Other factors include:
- 43%: wanting to hear from others with similar experiences
- 41%: a desire for anonymous advice
- 36%: the quality of care available on social media platforms
- 29%: the cultural stigma around seeking professional help
- 25%: they weren’t sure where to start
- 20%: distrust health care providers
Eighty-one percent of respondents do not believe mental health content on social media is an adequate replacement for therapy. However, opinions vary by generation: 42% of Gen Z respondents believe it is an adequate replacement, compared to just 3% of baby boomer, 13% of Gen X and 26% of millennial respondents. With the prevalence of non-clinical sources sharing mental health information online, the need for accessible, high-quality care provided by licensed clinicians is crucial to help decipher fact from fiction and develop a clinically-appropriate treatment plan.
Respondents recognize that not all information on social media is trustworthy: nearly one-third (31%) perceive mental health information on social media platforms as inaccurate, and over half (54%) of respondents report seeing mental health misinformation on social media at least weekly.
However, sources matter: 82% trust online information from credentialed health care providers the most, compared to 64% for mental health influencers and 53% for information shared by other social media users.
Self-diagnosis from social media is common. However, many respondents who self-diagnose do not consistently seek professional guidance from a clinician.
Nearly one-third (29%) of respondents have “self-diagnosed” mental health conditions based on information they’ve seen online. Gen Z (50%) and millennial (38%) respondents lead in self-diagnosis, compared to Gen X (26%) and baby boomer (9%) respondents.
Less than half (47%) of respondents often or always discuss self-diagnosed symptoms with a clinician, and almost a quarter (24%) rarely or never do. This highlights a concerning trend where people may misinterpret their mental health needs, delay proper care or forgo treatment altogether.
Of those who have attempted to self-diagnose, over one-quarter (27%) reported experiencing unnecessary stress or anxiety from doing so.
The reasons for self-diagnosis include:
- 51% want to try self-help first
- 42% are more comfortable researching on their own
- 40% found helpful or relatable information online
- 36% needed answers quickly
- 36% are uncertain if symptoms are serious enough
- 30% are not ready to seek professional help yet
- 28% have family or cultural barriers or stigma with seeking mental health help
- 23% distrust or fear being dismissed by professionals
People are also using social media information to diagnose others. One-third of respondents have diagnosed a family member, friend or coworker’s behavior as a mental health condition based on what they’ve seen on social media — 23% still believe they were correct, while 10% now believe it was a misdiagnosis. Diagnosing friends or family members is most prevalent among Gen Z respondents, with 50% having done so.
As the casual use of clinical mental health terminology, or “therapy speak,” becomes more common in everyday conversations, people are analyzing their relationships through the lens of the language they’ve seen online.
“Therapy speak” — or the casual use of clinical mental health terms, in non-clinical settings — is becoming increasingly prevalent in daily interactions, particularly amongst women and younger generations.
Anxiety (85%), depression (79%) and ADHD (61%) were the top three mental health terms respondents were most familiar with. Additional terms respondents were familiar with include:
- Antisocial (58%)
- PTSD (55%)
- Trauma (54%)
- Narcissist (54%)
- Psychopath (50%)
- Toxic (49%)
- Abandonment issues (47%)
Twenty-eight percent of respondents reported that they use “therapy speak” regularly in online and in-person conversations, which rose to 30% for female respondents compared to 25% for male respondents. Gen Z (50%) respondents also reported the highest usage amongst all generations, compared to millennials (35%), Gen X (25%), and baby boomer respondents (11%).
Nearly one-in-three (32%) respondents say social media content has made them question their relationships — leading people to believe that a partner or loved one is “toxic” (52%), “gaslighting” them (45%) or “love bombing” them (28%). Respondents also indicated that social media content has led them to believe the following about someone they have a relationship with:
- They are a narcissist (44%)
- They have anxiety or depression (42%)
- They have a personality disorder (26%)
- They have abandonment issues (24%)
- They are a psychopath (23%)
- They are codependent with them (21%)
- They are trauma-bonded with them (14%)
Amid increasing anxiety and stress fueled by social media, most respondents wish to disconnect, with a significant number expressing interest in a digital detox.
While social media platforms have potential to be used for both good and bad, 44% of respondents believe they have done more to increase negative perceptions and stereotypes about mental health than to reduce them.
Examining the negative impacts felt by social media, 37% reported feeling anxiety about politics, 27% feel overloaded by the news cycle and 22% said it supports poor sleep habits. Additional impacts include:
- Negative self-image or comparison with others (21%)
- Screen time addiction (20%)
- Time management issues (19%)
- Fear of missing out (FOMO) (19%)
- Loneliness or isolation (19%)
- Difficulty concentrating (18%)
Respondents report positive impacts from social media as well, including connection with family/friends (52%), entertainment/humor (45%), connection with others who can relate to their experiences (32%), finding people with shared interests (32%), and stress relief/relaxation (31%).
Over three-quarters (76%) find the idea of a digital detox appealing, with Gen Z (84%) and millennial (83%) respondents most interested compared to Gen X (77%) and baby boomer (65%) respondents. What’s more, over one-quarter (26%) believe a permanent TikTok ban would positively impact their mental health.
Methodology
On behalf of LifeStance Health, Researchscape International conducted an online survey of 1,110 U.S. adults aged 18 or older. The survey was fielded from Jan. 30 to Feb. 9, 2025. The credibility interval is plus or minus 4 percentage points for questions answered by all respondents.
About LifeStance Health
Founded in 2017, LifeStance (NASDAQ: LFST) is reimagining mental health. We are one of the nation’s largest providers of virtual and in-person outpatient mental healthcare for children, adolescents and adults experiencing a variety of mental health conditions. Our mission is to help people lead healthier, more fulfilling lives by improving access to trusted, affordable and personalized mental healthcare. LifeStance and its supported practices employ approximately 7,400 psychiatrists, advanced practice nurses, psychologists and therapists and operate across 33 states and more than 550 centers. To learn more, please visit www.LifeStance.com
