Gen Z's Influence on Therapy Language Through Social Media

When 19-year-old Aanya walked into her first therapy session last month, she introduced herself by saying, 'I am looking for someone to lore drop on,' before adding she has 'an avoidant attachment style.' This shift in language among Gen Z patients, as noted by Dr.

Gorav Gupta, a senior psychiatrist at Delhi's Tulasi Healthcare, reflects a new way of discussing emotions, moving from broad terms like 'stress' to specific psychological language. Dr. Hvovi Bhagwagar, a psychologist based in Mumbai, explained that terms like 'gaslighting' and 'emotional dysregulation' are now commonly used by young clients, which complicates therapy.

She emphasized that much of her initial sessions involve clarifying what these terms mean to her clients before working to provide accurate interpretations. Psychologists are noticing an alarming trend where Gen Z is self-diagnosing based on social media content, leading to potential misinterpretations of their mental health.

For instance, Dr. Astik Joshi described a case where a 14-year-old boy believed he had gender dysphoria due to social media influencers, while his distress was linked to anxiety. Similarly, a 16-year-old girl mistook academic stress for PTSD.

Many young patients arrive with preconceived diagnoses, stating things like, 'I'm bipolar' or 'I'm trauma-bonded.' This phenomenon raises concerns about the dilution of clinical terms through sensationalized online content.

As a result, therapists are adapting their practices to bridge the gap, ensuring they speak the language of their clients while also reframing it in clinically accurate ways. The increase in psychological content on social media has encouraged Gen Z to seek therapy independently, breaking down previously held stigmas.

As noted by Ayushi, a 21-year-old from Noida, therapy is now viewed as essential self-care, akin to going to the gym for mental health. This linguistic evolution is reshaping therapy sessions, as both clients and therapists work together to navigate the complexities of modern mental health language.