Unfortunately, another important field such as psychology has become a topic of discussion on social media. Some social media accounts established to gain followers, likes and money have started to become psychologists.
Accounts that claim to diagnose depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, anxiety and many other serious illnesses through their posts pose a great danger.
online therapists, who claim to use absurd techniques to diagnose diseases that even expert pedagogues, psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose with certain methods, threaten the psychological health of all social media users, from ages 7 to 70.
Expert Psychologist Gülten Demiröven and Expert Pedagogue Kerem Gümüş, who made special statements to Milli Gazete on the subject, made important warnings about the careful use of social media.
“EACH CASE IS SPECIAL IN PSYCHOLOGY”
Expert Psychologist Gülten Demiröven emphasizes that online therapists use purely marketing techniques.
"We see nonsense things like this on social media, be careful about these 5 things, this happens, if you see this in this picture, you are schizophrenic. Recently, they showed me a post saying 'If you purse your lips, you are bipolar.' These are things that completely mislead people. We definitely do not approve of such things. In psychology, every case is special. Each person's psychological health has its own measurement and evaluation method. I believe that those psychology accounts making diagnoses on social media are charlatans, not experts. It is not possible for people with a psychological problem to understand this from social media. It is necessary to perform various tests to make a diagnosis," Demiröven said.
“IT'S ALL MARKETING TECHNIQUES OF SOCIAL MEDIA”
Gülten Demiröven stated that the diagnostic process in psychology is a long process.
"If there is a serious psychological problem, the specialist must examine the case for months. There are many posts such as: If you have a relationship with your spouse, pay attention to these 5 things. No such thing. These are all marketing techniques of social media. I don't think any correct specialist would pick up the phone and attempt to make a diagnosis via social media posts," Demiröven added.
“WE SHOULD NOT BE MEASURED AND CONSCIOUS IN USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA”
"A real psychologist and pedagogue cooks with cases. I have been in this profession for many years, but I am still learning. Each case has its own unique characteristics. That's why we learn new things in every case. Awareness in the use of social media is a very important and vital issue in this regard, as in many other issues. Because someone who is exposed to these posts too much may make himself sick after a while. Human health should not become a sharing material on social media," Demiröven said.
“THE INTERNET HAS A DIRECT EFFECT ON PEOPLE'S PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT”
Expert Pedagogue Kerem Gümüş stated that children who are active on social media can easily be influenced by online therapists.
"Tests conducted on the internet, which claim to be psychological tests and have no scientific basis, have negative effects on children's mental health. Modern personality psychology and developmental psychology; He argues that genetic and environmental factors have an impact on human personality development. Environmental factors, family attitudes, culture, living conditions, etc. In addition to situations such as social media in this age. In other words, the internet has a direct impact on people's personality development in this age," Gümüş said.
“AVOID BEING IN FRONT OF A SCREEN CONSTANTLY”
Kerem Gümüş gave advice to social media users and parents.
"Use social media consciously. Limit usage to specific periods of time and avoid constant screen time. Avoid constantly comparing yourself with other people. Everyone's life is different and what you see on social media does not fully reflect real life. Improve your social relationships and interactions in real life rather than in the virtual world. Instead of seeking the approval of others on social media, determine your own criteria for evaluation, Gümüş added.
“DON'T FOLLOW PEOPLE ON SOCIAL MEDIA WHO YOU WOULD NOT LET INTO YOUR HOME.”
"Recent research shows that the people and pages you follow greatly affect your life experience. Therefore, it is important to decide carefully what you follow. Choosing positive, inspiring and informative accounts contributes positively to your mental health. Avoid following accounts on social media that may constantly drag you down or make you feel inadequate. Everyone's life and accomplishments are different, so stay away from constantly comparing yourself to others. Especially do not follow people on social media whom you would not let into your home," Gümüş said.