Online Psychology tests aren’t the end all, be all of your mental health

<b> Friendly remind to not self-diagnose with online tests </b>

It’s more complicated than that

We get it: We’ve been at home for months, the government is doing more BS, and we’re in the middle of a pandemic – our mental health is bound to get affected.

But along with our boredom ushers in a new series of ‘open psychometrics’ tests that have been gaining traction online.

Aside from the fact that the recently rampant Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) is a Westernized test made 25 years ago, simply diagnosing yourself online poses as a red flag.

https://ift.tt/3hbQ3fc I see a lot of friends taking the DASS. Although I am happy that more…

Posted by Glenmark Villanueva on Monday, August 17, 2020

 

I’d hate to use the ‘Psychology major’ card, but if there’s one thing that learning about mental health has taught me, it’s that it’s highly nuanced and takes some serious years of learning.

That’s why people get licensed, take Masters, and get licensed again to make sure they’re eligible for the job.

Tests are also just half of the work, as only licensed professionals who have observed you, talked to you, and make sure you’ve met a criterion can give the diagnosis.

Professionals spend years upon years applying the DSM-V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), and even that almost 1,000-page book (on its fifth edition, mind you) has been met with criticisms for ‘medicalizing‘ patterns of behavior.

What more us internet explorers?

To be clear, we’re not saying to not trust yourself when it comes to your mental health, but these free-for-all online Psychology tests aren’t the end-all, be-all of the journey.

You can’t just take one measly test that says you’re experiencing Depression or Anxiety and call it a day. More often than not, those 3 can be symptoms or comorbidities of more nuanced types of diagnoses.

Psychology and mental health are ultimately a Science – and like any other branch, we have to uphold its integrity.

Let’s talk about mental health, but let’s make sure we’re talking about mental health right

 

If you need help or someone you know does, call Hopeline, a 24/7 suicide prevention hotline, at (02) 804-HOPE (4673) and 0917 558 HOPE (4673) or text 2919 (toll-free number for all GLOBE and TM subscribers). Know more at http://www.ngf-hope.org/contact-us.

The post <b> Online Psychology tests aren’t the end all, be all of your mental health </b> appeared first on WE THE PVBLIC.

Source: we the pvblic