Faking disorders online - and how parents can help
Parent Zone’s sister organisation, VoiceBox, has published a report exploring a new online phenomenon: faking mental health disorders online.
There are many reasons why young people may fake disorders – and it can be an indicator of other underlying issues.
So, what might influence this behaviour? And what can a parent do to support their child?
1. Seeking attention, care or emotional gratification
One of the most common causes of faking disorders is a need for attention. Many people suffering from disorders receive support or praise for discussing their condition openly online.
Some young people may therefore see mimicking a condition as a way to elicit sympathy and attention from others, particularly if they feel unable to get that care elsewhere. It may be easy to write off such behaviour as ‘attention seeking’, but care and attention are essential to all of our lives. Responding in a non-judgmental and understanding way is key.
2. Wanting to be part of a community
Faking a disorder can also help a person feel part of a community. Young people have lived through years of increased social isolation – and increased use of digital – due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It is understandable to want to connect with a community through digital means.
Online communities for those struggling with disorders – such as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) or Tourettes – can be thriving places for young people to make connections and feel understood. For a young person who has been missing that shared community space, faking a disorder could be a way to feel involved.
3. Insecurity and identity
The identity question is particularly relevant for young people. Social media sites such as TikTok – where the majority of faked disorders were reported – can make it seem like a particular user is confident in their identity as, for example, someone with OCD.
If a young person isn’t sure about their identity – and experiencing insecurity as a result – it can therefore be tempting to align themselves with a specific condition.
The detailed information available on mental health disorders can be incredibly useful for those with a diagnosis, but can also make it easy for a young person to adopt that disorder as their identity.
4.Misunderstanding or misdiagnosis
It’s very easy to self-diagnose online. A young person using TikTok may see a video depicting symptoms they recognise and come to the conclusion that they have, for example, dissociative identity disorder.
But in reality, self-diagnosis is not an accurate way to figure out what they could be struggling with. Many people faking a disorder are struggling from conditions that could be harder to recognise, such as anxiety or depression.
What can parents do?
If your child is struggling with any kind of mental health condition, your support and care will be invaluable.
The report found that many young people are subjected to bullying online if they are ‘discovered’ to have been faking a disorder – known as “fakeclaiming” – and that this could lead to further mental health issues. The loss of a community based around their disorder could also cause feelings of isolation and low-self esteem.
Being kind, patient and offering a non-judgmental space for your child to come to are the foundations needed to help them get through their difficulties. You can also find out more about the kinds of support available below.