A new survey from LifeStance Health has revealed how deeply social media is influencing mental health behavior across the U.S. The data shows that many Americans—especially younger generations—are turning to platforms like TikTok and Instagram not just for entertainment or connection, but for self-diagnosis, therapy language, and emotional validation.
The result: a growing number of people are labeling themselves and their relationships based on what they see online, often without professional guidance. And while some respondents recognize the risks, many continue the habit anyway.
Key Behaviors Tied to Social Media Use
The survey, titled Navigating Mental Health in the Age of Social Media, uncovered how deeply digital habits are tied to mental well-being.
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26% check social media within five minutes of waking up.
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26% spend four hours or more daily on social media.
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29% report being “constantly connected,” with Gen Z (45%) and millennials (39%) leading.
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57% consider themselves “chronically online.”
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21% say this constant connectivity has negatively impacted their mental health.
This constant access appears to blur the line between casual content and mental health advice.
Misinformation and the Rise of DIY Mental Health Advice
While social media can be a valuable space for awareness, many users are aware of its downsides.
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54% say they see false or misleading mental health content at least once a week.
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23% have actively sought mental health advice on social media.
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Gen Z (55%) and millennials (30%) are most likely to turn to platforms for guidance.
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45% use these platforms because they’re fast and always available.
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82% trust credentialed health care providers most, but 64% still trust influencers and 53% trust peers.
Despite recognizing questionable content, many people still act on it, often with mixed results.
The Self-Diagnosis Trend—And Its Costs
Nearly one-third of respondents admitted to diagnosing themselves based on online content.
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29% have self-diagnosed a mental health condition based on social media.
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Gen Z (50%) and millennials (38%) were most likely to do so.
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Only 47% of those who self-diagnose often or always speak with a clinician afterward.
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24% rarely or never discuss symptoms with a professional.
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27% reported increased stress or anxiety because of the self-diagnosis process.
The numbers suggest a disconnect: people are identifying problems without verifying them.
Therapy Speak Goes Mainstream—and Gets Personal
Terms like “narcissist,” “gaslighting,” and “toxic” are everywhere online. That language is spilling into daily conversation.
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40% see these terms on social media daily or multiple times a week.
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32% say online content has made them question their relationships.
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Of those, 52% believe a loved one is “toxic,” 45% say they’ve been “gaslit,” and 28% believe they’ve been “love bombed.”
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30% of women and 25% of men use therapy speak regularly.
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Gen Z (50%) reports the highest use of clinical mental health terms in casual conversation.
The emotional vocabulary from therapy circles is being adopted by the general public—often without full clinical context.
Social Media Fatigue and the Push for Digital Detox
People are feeling overwhelmed—and many want a break.
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44% believe social media has increased negative stereotypes around mental health.
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37% feel anxious about politics from what they see online.
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27% feel overwhelmed by the news cycle.
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22% say social media worsens sleep habits.
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76% find the idea of a digital detox appealing.
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Interest in detoxing is highest among Gen Z (84%) and millennials (83%).
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26% believe banning TikTok would improve their mental health.
Even with all the hours spent scrolling, many say they’re ready to log off—at least for a while.
The survey shows that Americans are leaning heavily on social media when it comes to mental health. The data draws a clear connection between online habits and emotional well-being. While platforms have opened the door for open conversations, they’ve also introduced noise, confusion, and in some cases, more harm than help.
Key Behaviors Tied to Social Media Use
Americans are staying connected around the clock—and younger users are leading the trend. Over a quarter of respondents (26%) check their social media feeds within five minutes of waking up. That same percentage say they spend at least four hours each day on these platforms. The constant pull of apps and notifications leaves little room for breaks.
Nearly a third (29%) say they’re always connected to the internet or social apps. The younger the user, the stronger the tie. Gen Z (45%) and millennials (39%) are far more likely to report constant online engagement than Gen X (25%) or baby boomers (14%). When asked to describe their online behavior, 57% said the term “chronically online” fits—rising to 80% for Gen Z.
This round-the-clock connection isn’t without a cost. Over one in five respondents (21%) say it negatively impacts their mental health. Among Gen Z, that number climbs to 28%.
Mental Health Misinformation
Despite knowing better, people still turn to social media for help with mental health. More than half (54%) say they encounter false or misleading mental health content at least once a week. Still, nearly a quarter (23%) admit they’ve used social media to look for advice.
For Gen Z, this number jumps to 55%. Millennials aren’t far behind at 30%. The appeal? It’s fast and easy. Nearly half (45%) said they like the convenience and quick access. Others mentioned wanting anonymous advice (41%), connecting with shared experiences (43%), or feeling unsure of where else to go (25%). Some even expressed distrust of providers (20%).
The public isn’t blind to the credibility gap. Eighty-two percent said they trust licensed clinicians the most when seeking mental health content online. That drops to 64% for influencers and 53% for other users. Still, the platforms remain a common stop, especially for younger users.
Self-Diagnosis from Social Media
A growing number of Americans are using online content to diagnose themselves. Nearly one in three (29%) said they’ve identified a mental health condition based on what they read or watched online. This practice is especially common among Gen Z (50%) and millennials (38%).
But the follow-through is uneven. Fewer than half (47%) of those who self-diagnose say they often or always speak with a clinician afterward. A troubling 24% rarely or never do. Without clinical input, the risk of misunderstanding or delaying appropriate care rises.
The stress of self-diagnosis is real. Twenty-seven percent reported that it caused them unnecessary anxiety. Many said they wanted answers quickly (36%), preferred to research alone (42%), or planned to try self-help first (51%). Others pointed to barriers like family stigma (23%) or not knowing if their symptoms were serious enough to warrant professional help (36%).
Not only are people diagnosing themselves—they’re labeling others, too. One-third of respondents said they’ve diagnosed a friend, family member, or co-worker based on what they saw online. Gen Z leads this trend as well, with 50% admitting to it. In hindsight, 10% now believe those conclusions were wrong.
“Therapy Speak” and Relationship Perception
Mental health terms once confined to clinical settings are now popping up in casual conversation. Words like “trauma,” “narcissist,” and “toxic” are showing up in feeds daily for 40% of respondents. For many, these labels are shaping how they view personal relationships.
Thirty-two percent said that social media made them question their relationships. Female respondents (36%) were more likely than males (28%) to do so. Among those influenced, more than half (52%) concluded that someone close to them was “toxic.” Others believed they were being gaslit (45%), or that they were on the receiving end of “love bombing” (28%).
This language is sticking. Twenty-eight percent use therapy speak in both online and face-to-face conversations. Gen Z again leads the way at 50%, followed by millennials at 35%. Commonly known terms include anxiety (85%), depression (79%), ADHD (61%), and PTSD (47%). Many users reported learning these terms from social media rather than formal sources.
Stress Fueled by Social Media
The survey shows a clear connection between social media and mental strain. Forty-four percent of respondents believe platforms have done more harm than good when it comes to how mental health is portrayed. People say they feel overwhelmed by the constant news cycle (27%) and politics (37%). Others pointed to poor sleep habits (22%) and time management issues.
When asked what they gain from social media, many cited connection, humor, and support. But negative outcomes often outweighed the benefits. Users reported issues like screen addiction, comparison-driven self-esteem problems, and difficulty focusing.
There’s growing interest in stepping away. Seventy-six percent said they found the idea of a digital detox appealing. This number reached 84% for Gen Z and 83% for millennials. Some even supported more permanent changes—26% said banning TikTok outright would improve their mental health.
What It All Means
LifeStance’s findings show that social media has become a powerful, and sometimes risky, influence on how people talk about and deal with mental health. Many users now look to social platforms first—often before speaking to a doctor. While some content can be helpful, much of it lacks accuracy and context. Self-diagnosis, misused language, and emotional overexposure are shaping how people view themselves and others. The growing appetite for digital detoxes signals a broader discomfort that’s hard to ignore.
As social media continues to shape the mental health conversation, the role of qualified professionals remains more important than ever. Access to real care—not just online commentary—is what many users need most.
Methodology
The findings are based on an online survey conducted by Researchscape International on behalf of LifeStance Health. The survey included 1,110 U.S. adults aged 18 and older and was conducted from January 30 to February 9, 2025. The credibility interval is ±4 percentage points. Responses were weighted to reflect the national population across nine demographic factors.
