Popularity Over Rigor: The Rise of Self-Diagnosis

The rise of social media has enabled less rigorously researched content creators to outshine academics in popularity, particularly in fields like psychology. Many individuals now interpret and redefine psychological terms and concepts based on personal experience rather than academic study. This shift allows for a distortion of serious psychological issues into casual self-diagnosis, where terms such as 'toxic' or 'gaslighting' are popularized without proper context. As a result, behaviors previously seen as arrogance or misfortune are rebranded under the umbrella of self-care and boundary-setting. This trend raises concerns about the understanding and application of psychological concepts among the general public.