Latest news with #BelleGibson
Irish Times
12-07-2025
- Irish Times
Why is everyone around me obsessed with the Australian mushroom murder case?
Are we okay? I ask this because water-cooler chat in Australia has changed in recent times from the AFL (Australian Football League), Survivor, the Australian Open and Married at First Sight to: 'Yeah, nah, she definitely did it, didn't you hear about the dehumidifier the cops found?' 'She literally served the beef wellington on an orange plate, everyone else had grey plates, it's sooo obvious.' READ MORE 'She pretended to have cancer, that's so Belle Gibson .' I once pretended to like AFL (although I hate sport) to connect with potential Australian mates, why not a mushroom murder case? I googled details from the above snippets and began to weigh in. I ran out of steam promptly. Frankly, I believe I'm above true crime as a source of entertainment. It's ethically ambiguous at best and downright abhorrent at worst. Podcast hosts, series makers, book writers always start their piece with something along the lines of: 'Remember that the victims were real-life people, okay.' One of the top five podcasts in Australia, Mushroom Case Daily, began its series with: 'We know people are obsessed with this case, it's really captured the imagination of so many people, it shouldn't be forgotten that three people died, and all the people that loved them in the community are devastated by their loss.' By episode eight of Mushroom Case Daily, the hosts gleefully finish proceedings with, 'We got some plans to catch up with some pretty 'fun guys'.' So begins the reality-TV-esque content marketing wheel. Interviews with biologists, foragers, prosecutors, defence lawyers, one individual who had served on a jury in Texas that one time. True crime as entertainment can only prosper if we maintain a safe distance from those most affected. We mustn't think too deeply about the victims to really enjoy it. It doesn't matter how reverently anyone approaches this subject matter, it's all about profit, ratings, ad spend. Erin Patterson on trial: Latest in mushroom poisoning murder case Listen | 26:35 Three days before Erin Patterson was found guilty of three counts of murder and one of attempted murder, it was reported that the Mushroom Case Daily podcast producers received the green light for a new drama series called Toxic which will be based on the true story of Patterson. It's a media frenzy, a multimillion-dollar industry with a primed audience. Some 53 per cent of Australians engage with true crime content and the lion's share of the audience are female, reports B&T, which describes itself as Australia's leading news publication magazine for the advertising, marketing, media and PR industries. The reasons for such high engagement with the genre have been studied to some extent. One psychological study, Out of the Dark – Psychological Perspectives on People's Fascination with True Crime by academics at the University of Graz, Austria, cites morbid curiosity, defensive vigilance and emotional regulation. [ Death cap mushrooms: Are they in Ireland and how do you spot them? Opens in new window ] Melbourne-based clinical psychologist at Integrate Therapy and Psychological Services, Mel O'Shea, unpacks these concepts: 'Cases like Patterson's allow us to psychologically stare into the abyss and get close to events that are shocking and unthinkable in a safe way. Essay author Hannah Kingston, a freelance writer living in Melbourne since 2020. 'Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Carl Jung theorised that we have a 'shadow self' which is a part of our selves that holds thoughts, feelings and impulses that are unacceptable and shameful and that we deny and disown. Keeping an eye on the Erin Patterson case allows us to project our own shadow self impulses on to someone else and means that we can explore our own hidden feelings like rage and envy and control without acting on them.' There's more, and it's primal: 'From an evolutionary psychology perspective, humans have a desire to pay attention to people who violate social rules and norms as a way to protect ourselves by internalising what not to do. 'It means that we can protect our place in the group – society – and reinforce group norms and safety and keep the population populating. This stuff harks back to caveman days when our very survival meant relying on being part of a group, and conforming to group norms as there was safety in numbers against all those predators we faced in our early existence.' According to a study by Pennsylvania State University, sci-fi movie watchers fared better during Covid-19 because they had effectively lived and relived their new reality many times before. The study states that 'after factoring out personality influences, which were actually quite strong, we found that the more movies about zombies, alien invasions and apocalyptic pandemics people had seen prior to Covid-19, the better they dealt with the actual, current pandemic.' Mural by street artist Jarrod Grech of Erin Patterson - now stamped with a guilty sign - after she was found guilty of murdering three members of her husband's family with a toxic mushroom-laced beef Wellington lunch. Photo by William West/AFP) O'Shea says: 'There is a level of preparedness that comes with the engagement. Exploring true crime helps us identify what the risk factors were of victims, and more closely understand the modus operandi of perpetrators so that we can make adjustments and ensure our own safety. True crime engagement easily and readily gives us a long list of red flags that we can draw on to keep ourselves safe.' I cast my mind back to waking up on a couch one Saturday morning at a friend's house. I have The Fear, and I think it's caused by Pinot Noir until I notice that there's a podcast about Ivan Milat (commonly known as the Backpacker Murderer) softly playing in the background. My friend needs gore to sleep. She can't exactly put her finger on it, but she says it helps her to relax. For me, not so much. Milat had pierced my veil of sleep, leaving me full of anxiety before I even started the day. Who needs to be making a concerted effort to feel anxious when the majority of us already spend our lives in fight or flight, because we have access to the internet? I need to know why everyone around me is obsessed with the 'mushroom case', why one of my best friends who offers only kindness and light loves the gritty details. I ask O'Shea for details on the function of true crime. She says: 'I think the level of engagement in true crime by Australians speaks to that morbid curiosity and collective fascination with the darker parts of human nature. With disbelief also comes a desire to understand those who are unable to inhibit and control the shadow parts of themselves. 'At one point in our lives, we'd all like to tell a boss or a family member what we really think of them, but we disavow this and we repress it so that we can maintain our jobs, meet our basic needs, and maintain our connection to kin. When we engage in true crime, we really let the Jungian shadow self come out to play and we can look into the mirror of another who shows us what it would really be like for us should we let our inhibitions go. True crime reinforces to us why we repress those dark parts of ourselves along with our own moral position of never letting the shadow of ourselves creep out.' Would it not be better that we swap society's current insatiable appetite for brutal content that will entertain us, with empathy for a wider brutal reality that begs for, deserves, our attention? True crime is steeped in reality. Is that where the crossover comes from, the selective detachment from those affected? I think of reality TV shows centred around love and dating; the ones where you get to see someone's full naked body before deciding if they're the one for you; the one where you don't see them until you're standing at the altar; the partner-swapping one; the island one. There's no denying that reality is a ripe market but don't be silly enough to forget that while Machiavellian brands clean up on the misery of others, the families and friends of the individuals will need to relive the horror afresh with each new repackaging of their real life, through each hot-take and TikTok video. What bearing does this have on our collective future? Is it time for a risk-benefit analysis? O'Shea says: 'Constant exposure can activate the brain's threat system, making it a little more sensitive and resulting in increased hypervigilance, anxiety and mistrust. This might become a problem if it impairs functioning such as not going out after dark, which has implications for social and occupational functioning if you have to work the night shift as part of your regular routine. 'On the other hand, constant exposure to murder case details and true crime might actually result in a bit of a desensitisation. When we are desensitised we can become apathetic. If nothing shocks us any more, that apathy can lead to a learned helplessness and may stop us from believing that our actions matter, maybe making it less likely for us to intervene or speak out or show empathy when others are hurt. These are constructs that we call bystander effect and compassion fatigue.' Bystander effect and compassion fatigue? The data keeps the score, as this graph comparing online searches in Australia for true crime and the situation in Gaza shows. I asked as many people as I could why they think they care about the mushroom case. The majority of them 'don't know', just think 'it's mad', or were hooked because 'everyone's talking about it'. I believe I'm well versed to comment on this case because I know everything about it. They got me. I even tuned in while I was on the way to a Palestine protest. Would it not be better that we swap society's current insatiable appetite for brutal content that will entertain us, with empathy for a wider brutal reality that begs for, deserves, our attention? I'm saying this because this case, the frenzied excitement around it and the detachment from its devastating realities , makes me wonder if we as a society are okay, that's why I asked. Hannah Kingston is a freelance writer living in Melbourne since 2020
Wales Online
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Parents accidentally picking serial killer names for their babies
Parents accidentally picking serial killer names for their babies Baby naming experts say dark popular culture is quietly influencing the top baby names of 2025 Parents are choosing dark names without even realising it in the top baby name trend of 2025 Parents are being inspired by true crime podcasts and cult documentaries when it comes to naming their babies in 2025, and many may not even know it - according to experts. BabyCentre UK has announced its Top 100 Baby Names of 2025, and found many of them are the names of people who have been featured in chilling podcasts and Netflix series. BabyCentre naming expert and author SJ Strum said: 'These names aren't being chosen because of crime. More often, parents are unconsciously absorbing popular culture, and these names creep into our minds via gripping TV, podcasts and viral content. It's a fascinating lens on how culture shapes language, and by extension, baby names.' True Crime-inspired names in BabyCentre's top 100 baby names making headlines in 2025 are: Anna – The 'Fake Heiress' Anna Delvey – The 'Fake Heiress' Anna Delvey Arthur – Arthur Lee Allen, Zodiac Killer suspect – Arthur Lee Allen, Zodiac Killer suspect Bella – Inspired by Belle Gibson, wellness scammer – Inspired by Belle Gibson, wellness scammer Erin – Erin Patterson, dubbed 'The Mushroom Cook' – Erin Patterson, dubbed 'The Mushroom Cook' Freddie & Rose – The story of Fred and Rose West – The story of Fred and Rose West Joseph – A nod to 'Joe Exotic', Tiger King – A nod to 'Joe Exotic', Tiger King Luca – From the viral doc Don't F** with Cats* – From the viral doc Don't F** with Cats* Teddy – A surprisingly soft spin on serial killer Ted Bundy – A surprisingly soft spin on serial killer Ted Bundy Ruby – From viral doc 'Devil in the Family', Ruby Franke – From viral doc 'Devil in the Family', Ruby Franke Ronnie & Reggie – The Kray twins And it isn;'t just factual TV and audio providing inspiration. Inspired by the rise of high-society TV dramas like Succession and The White Lotus, there is a resurgence of names that carry aristocratic weight. Think Elodie, Nathaniel, Zara, and Sebastian. Succession Chic names rising this year include: Article continues below Girl's Names: Amelia - Striving Ada – Nobility Alice – noble Aria – Noble Melody Elodie – wealth Freya - Lady Gianna – gracious Penelope - Weaver Zara – Princess/Lady Boy's Names: Albie - Noble Eli – Ascension Ibrahim – Father of many Nathanial – God has given Otis - Fortune Reuben – Behold a son Rory – Red King Sebastian – Revered Theodore – Gift Beyond the world of murder, scams and other crime parents are looking to the heavens for baby name inspiration this year. Celestial baby girl names are soaring in popularity. Names like Luna, Nova, Aurora and Maryam are booming. Cosmic-inspired girl's names trending in 2025: Arabella – Beautiful like a star – Beautiful like a star Ayla – Moonlight – Moonlight Aurora – Goddess of the dawn – Goddess of the dawn Eliana – Helios sun god – Helios sun god Layla – Night beauty – Night beauty Luna – Moon – Moon Maryam – Start of the sea – Start of the sea Nova – New star – New star Nur – Light – Light Thea – Goddess of light And while letters X, Y and Z may be at the back of the alphabet, this year, they've leapt to the front of the Baby Naming Charts. Girls' Names: Anaya – Free Ayra – Noble Emily - Rival Hazel – Hazelnut Maya – Mother Robyn – Bright Ruby - Red Zoe – Life Boys' Names: Dylan – Of the sea Enzo – Home ruler Ezra – Helper Max – Greatest Syed – Lord Yahya – Gracious Zane - Beauty Zion – Highest place Article continues below SJ Strum said: 'Names flow in and out of style, and popular culture plays a huge role in shaping the baby names we see rising. We often choose names in tune with what's happening in the world around us as we welcome our little ones. For example, Evie, the newest addition to Peppa Pig's family, is a perfect short and sweet vintage pick that's now soaring in popularity. 'We've also seen an uplift in names honouring the late Queen, like Eliza, Elsie, and Elizabeth. Royal-inspired names remain strong year-on-year: from Charlotte, Zara, and Mia, to George, Harry, William, Charlie, and Archie. Even Princess has seen a surprising comeback, as the nation rallied around Princess Kate during her recent cancer treatment.' Faye Mingo, Chief Marketing Officer at BabyCentre, said: 'Baby names often serve as a time capsule of the world babies are born into, so it's fascinating to watch how these trends unfold each year, and even more so when unexpected influences, like true crime, begin to make an impact.'
West Australian
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
The 11 best TV shows of 2025 so far: Adolescence, The White Lotus, Severance, The Pitt, Dept Q, Andor
There have been a plethora of great TV series hitting screens this year — and it's only June! From brilliant local productions like The Narrow Road To The Deep North and Apple Cider Vinegar to international mega-hits like Adolescence and The White Lotus, here are 11 of the best . . . so far. Inspired by the wild-but-true story of wellness scammer Belle Gibson, this local series stars US actress Kaitlyn Dever doing just about the best Aussie accent you'll ever hear. The show has only grown in popularity as more have discovered it. Some fantastic performances and a strong story rooted in reality make this must-see television. Give Dever all the awards! Not only is this series, co-created by UK actor and creator Stephen Graham, an urgent examination of adolescent mental health and the toxic online 'manosphere', it's also a feat of technical brilliance. Each episode is shot in one take, forcing viewers to stay with the action and not turn away from the story's more confronting aspects (and there are plenty). Put simply — it is a work of genius. Creator Mike White knocked it out of the park for the third series of his Emmy Award-winning show, this time set in Thailand. Right from those strange new opening credits, something felt different about season three — but in a good way. Performances from the key cast got everyone talking, and by the explosive finale, there wasn't a viewer out there not 100 per cent invested in seeing how everything ended. What a show! Without a doubt, this superb series from Dan Erickson and Ben Stiller is the best TV you'll see this year. In season two, the creators took the story in wholly new directions, further fleshing out characters while still leaving us with plenty of questions ahead of next season (hurry up, dammit!). Discover why TV fans are losing their minds for this ridiculously good show. This comedy just gets better — no wonder it keeps scooping the pool at the Emmys. Season four could well have been Hacks' last, with episode eight potentially wrapping things up beautifully. But good news: it has been greenlit for another season, so we'll get to spend even more time with Deborah (Jean Smart) and Ava (Hannah Einbinder). Though whether either still has a career remains to be seen . . . The second season of this superb ER-esque medical drama has just begun filming, which gives you a pretty good indication of how well received it was first time around. Starring Noah Wyle as an under-the-pump doctor, each episode plays out as an hour of his very long shift, giving us some genuinely gripping storylines and exceptional performances. Can't wait for more. This one seemingly came out of nowhere and quickly gained a devoted following for its grisly premise and darkly compelling story. Set in Edinburgh and starring Downton Abbey's Matthew Goode as a disaffected Detective Inspector, this psychological crime thriller had us hooked from the opening episode, not letting up until that surprising finale. Here's hoping there are more seasons on the way. Tina Fey's newest creation, based on the 1981 movie from Alan Alda, is a midlife comedy about a group of friends in their fifties who catch up every few months. Sounds dull, right? Trust us: it's not. Fey has played it (relatively) straight for the laughs this time, but the show still has some hilarious moments and a stack of brilliantly relatable performances from the central cast. Good news — it's back for another season! At last, a Star Wars spinoff worthy of the hype. The second season of this Rogue One prequel has been roundly praised by critics, with some even uttering the 'm' word. Yep, critics and fans alike are bandying the term masterpiece about. Diego Luna continues to anchor the tightly written series, which feels more urgent by the day given what's going on in the world right now. If you've not discovered this one yet, seek it out. Think of yourself as a cinephile? You won't want to miss this excellent series starring Seth Rogan. He plays a Hollywood exec battling to maintain his sanity while kowtowing to his corporate bosses and trying to stay afloat in the cutthroat movie-making world. This is a great peek behind the curtain. Equal parts cringe and captivating, it's a lot of fun for movie fans. Find out how the sausage is made! This locally produced series is based on the award-winning novel by Richard Flanagan and is brought to the small screen by esteemed filmmakers Justin Kurzel and Shaun Grant. They're the duo behind Nitram and Snowtown, which gives you an idea of its calibre. This devastating series is beautifully shot and has a dreamlike quality to it, and Jacob Elordi and Ciaran Hinds are fantastic as younger and older versions of the same character. Hauntingly great.
South China Morning Post
22-06-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Morning rituals that rule: say goodbye to elaborate wellness routines with no basis in fact – these habits come complete with breathwork, meditation, movement and mindful matcha
By now, Netflix's Apple Cider Vinegar has probably left anyone clutching celery juice or sprinkling adaptogen powders into their oat milk latte second-guessing their morning choices. The streaming giant's dramatised retelling of Australian influencer Belle Gibson 's wellness empire (built entirely on a fabricated cancer diagnosis) is an unsettling reminder that good intentions can quickly be overshadowed by seductive misinformation. Gibson's followers famously swapped chemotherapy for kale smoothies, trusting alternative methods over science – all because an influencer packaged fantasy more beautifully than reality. Warm lemon water at dawn, anyone? Photo: Trunk Archive Of course, most wellness trends today don't exactly involve high-level deception, but there's still a blurry line between routines that genuinely work and those that simply photograph well. Take, for example, the simple act of sipping warm lemon water at dawn, a ritual so beloved you'd think Gwyneth Paltrow had recommended it herself. While scientific support for its detoxifying or metabolism-boosting claims remains modest, lemons do reliably offer hydration, gentle digestive support and a welcome boost of vitamin C. At the very least, it's a pleasant, harmless way to brighten the all-important start of the day. Advertisement Morning wellness enthusiasts often sing the praises of elaborate routines, but for the busiest among us, simpler strategies can hold equal power. Navi Hughes, psychiatric nurse practitioner and founder of Empower Mental Health, regularly coaches women whose calendars read like impossible jigsaw puzzles, insisting that even minimal efforts pay dividends: 'You can get to work a little earlier and go for a walk to set your intentions for the day. You can wake up just 15 minutes earlier or block time in your calendar for mind resets,' she says. Hughes also points out how even one or two minutes of gentle stretches, jumping jacks or brisk walking can upgrade a chaotic morning. 'Stepping outside for 30 seconds for fresh air, deep breaths and sunlight can truly set the stage,' she adds. Lumie wake-up lights simulate natural dawn and dusk. Photo: Handout And Hughes isn't exaggerating the transformative powers of movement. Any physical activity, however low-key, can flush anxiety from your system, lowering cortisol and boosting dopamine. Think of it as a spa day for your brain, minus the fluffy robes and cucumber water. 'The effects are phenomenal – it lifts your mood, brings clarity, energy, creativity, and increases productivity. And all it takes is 10 minutes of walking,' Hughes explains, adding that fresh air and sunlight – or even its chic alternative, luxury wellness lamps from brands like Lumie – can genuinely enhance our mood and mental clarity. For those craving more tranquillity than physical movement alone provides, breathwork and meditation have emerged as scientifically grounded practices. 'Both breathwork and meditation have been shown to help with regulating our stress levels in a sustained way, and the mechanisms behind these results are well understood,' says Anoushka Shenn, a London-based breathwork, meditation and Pilates teacher, and founder of the Office Yoga Company. She describes breathwork as a body-first approach, meaning it influences the body before it reaches the brain – either by slowing the heart rate or activating the calming parasympathetic nervous system. Journalling and intention setting have emerged as powerful rituals backed up by research. Photo: Handout Meditation, on the other hand, tackles stress head-on (quite literally). 'Meditation primarily works by affecting the circuitry of the brain – for example, by reducing activity in the amygdala or strengthening the prefrontal cortex,' Shenn says. With regular practice, these rituals deliver more than temporary relief; they effectively train the brain and body to handle stress. Additionally, journalling and intention setting have emerged as powerful rituals with surprisingly solid credentials. On one side, journalling provides a structured space to process emotions, fostering mindfulness, alleviating stress and offering clarity for the day ahead. Similarly, intention setting comes highly recommended by Hughes: 'Take a moment to set the tone for your day. What do you want to accomplish? How do you want to feel? How can you make the most of today? Starting with intention gives you direction and purpose,' she says.
Scottish Sun
21-06-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Chilling rise of TikTokkers peddling dangerous ‘cures' for cancer & other deadly illnesses in sick bid to gain followers
It comes after wellness warrior Belle Gibson was exposed as a fraud who lied about her battle with cancer WHAT THE TOK? Chilling rise of TikTokkers peddling dangerous 'cures' for cancer & other deadly illnesses in sick bid to gain followers Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) INFLUENCERS are peddling animal dewormer and other dangerous alternative medicines as "cures" for deadly illnesses like cancer in a sick bid to gain followers. Experts have slammed the tips given out on social media as "scary" and dangerous, warning people not to blindly follow influencers. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 10 TikTok has deleted many of the videos flagged by The Sun 10 Some influencers are peddling dog dewormer as a cancer cure 10 Experts have said such videos can be dangerous Many people have tried out the bizarre "hacks", such as the "migraine meal" of drinking coke and eating McDonald's chips that went viral recently. But some TikTokkers are claiming to fix serious and life-threatening illnesses with a quick and easy "magic potion" you can whip up at home. Videos seen by The Sun have influencers confidentially telling their followers that taking dewormer for dogs or horses - which is harmful to humans - gets rid of cancer. Others posted recipes for homemade herbal teas, such as soursop tea, saying that they drank it every day for two weeks and it cured various diseases. Many influencers promote supplements that contain the ancient Indian herb ashwagandha - also saying it helps cure anxiety and a poor sex drive. Hundreds of social media users flocked to the comments sections, begging for more information, with experts worried many people will take such advice as gospel. Cancer sufferers are even among the commenters asking for recipes and recommendations to fight their deadly disease. When The Sun contacted TikTok about the videos peddling alternative cancer cures, those that we flagged were removed. VIRAL DOESN'T MEAN VALID Michael Baah, who is a cancer rehab coach, said it is "scary" people are relying on TikTok and social media for health advice. He explained: "The health advice I see on TikTok lately is wild. One minute it's 'walk 10k steps,' the next it's 'eat pickles to cure cancer' or 'bite a lemon to stop anxiety.' "And the scary part? People are actually giving it a go. "I coach cancer rehab clients every week, and I always tell them, if you're considering any supplement or remedy, speak to your consultant first. "Your health isn't a trend, and it shouldn't be treated like one. "Some of these so-called cures like dog dewormer, fermented pickles, or herbal teas are dangerous when taken seriously. Your health isn't a trend, and it shouldn't be treated like one. Michael Baah, cancer rehab coach "Just because something is 'natural' doesn't mean it's harmless, and just because it went viral doesn't make it valid. "If anything, it shows how easy it is to spread false hope to vulnerable people." Often, the TikTok videos point to the online shop in the app where people can buy the supplements mentioned. This advice - mostly from people without any medical knowledge - could lead to patients turning away from vital treatment. 10 Mental health cures are also being peddled 10 tiktokers-cancer-cures-sipplied-via-1004321750 10 A post claiming horse dewormer can cure cancer 10 Some videos claim fruit is better than chemo Other herbs or supplements could also interfere with any ongoing cancer treatment. Cancer UK warns: "One of the biggest risks of seeking alternative therapy is postponing or declining evidence-based conventional treatment, which might otherwise prolong or even save a patient's life." Gen Z particularly vulnerable New research from City St George's, University of London, recently found that 81 per cent of cancer cures touted by content creators on TikTok are fake. It also found that Gen Z is particularly vulnerable to cancer misinformation, as TikTok is used as a search engine and is a key means of accessing health information for this demographic. TikTok told The Sun that the study had a small sample size and only represented a tiny percentage of the content on the app. It said it takes steps to counter misinformation - which is a problem across all social media, not just the video-based platform. If anxiety could be cured by Skittles or cold drinks, mental health professionals would be out of business. Michael Baah It's not just cancer cures being promoted online, but for a range of both physical and mental illnesses. Anxiety sufferers are told to eat an orange while in the shower. Influencers confidently tell those suffering from the mental illness to bite into a lemon or eat sour skittles or sour patch kids to shock their system out of a panic attack. Others said to eat ice, have a cold drink or an ice bath along a similar vein. Some even claimed that eating fermented pickles also helps. TikTok health advice: What to look out for Check credentials Do they have any relevant qualifications? Are they a certified trainer, registered dietitian, or licensed professional in their field? Real experts will usually highlight their credentials clearly, signposting where they qualified from Do your own research Verify the information they share -don't blindly follow their advice. Look for scientific evidence or expert opinions backing up their claims - there are many health studies online. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Keep and eye out for red flags Be wary if they are promoting extreme products, quick fixes, or other unrealistic hacks. Don't trust overly sensationalised or extreme claims. Are they signposting you to a shop online or a service? They could be benefiting financially from this. Michael added: "Things like eating ice or biting lemons are just sensory distractions. "They might offer a few seconds of relief, but they don't address the root of what someone's feeling. "If anxiety could be cured by Skittles or cold drinks, mental health professionals would be out of business. "As a professional, I think it's important we stick to what's proven: science-backed strategies, structured support, and good old-fashioned common sense. "That's what gets results. Not trending audio and a camera filter. It's spreading misinformation "The bigger issue is how polished and convincing these videos look. "It's easy to get sucked in. But behind the editing and engagement, there's usually no evidence, no credentials, and no real accountability. "So yes, enjoy your orange in the shower if it gives you a lift, but don't confuse that with a treatment plan. "Real health takes consistency, not gimmicks." Dr Kirstie Fleetwood-Meade, who specialises in anxiety, agreed. Many TikTok 'anxiety cures' oversimplify a complex mental health problem Dr Kirstie Fleetwood-Meade, anxiety specialist She told The Sun: "Some people may find regular cold exposure (ice baths or cold showers) are a helpful way to reduce anxiety, alongside input from a qualified health professional, as it can help to regulate the nervous system. "Many TikTok 'anxiety cures' oversimplify a complex mental health problem, misleading people into thinking quick fixes are effective treatments. "This can delay seeking proper care and invalidate real struggles of people who live with anxiety every day. "Because these 'health' influencers often lack professional credentials, they can spread misinformation widely without accountability, and sometimes encourage risky or harmful behaviours." TikTok, Instagram and YouTube are flooded with self-proclaimed "wellness experts" confidently informing their followers of their "credentials". Research published in 2023 discovered that 84 per cent of mental health advice on TikTok is misleading, with 14 per cent of videos containing content that could be harmful. It has been found that "personal narratives are often prioritised over research-backed content". A TikTok spokesperson said: "TikTok is a place where people can share their personal medical treatment experiences and build supportive communities. "We proactively provide trusted health information in-app from the World Health Organisation, partner with independent fact-checkers to verify content, and rigorously enforce policies— to remove any content which breaches this policy." They said that their Community Guidelines ban health misinformation that may cause significant harm and they remove this content from the platform when they find it. Some professionals are beginning to adopt the influencer style of content online - further blurring the lines and making it confusing about who to trust. 10 A federal court ordered Belle Gibson to pay a $410,000 fine plus $30,000 in legal costs for misleading and deceptive conduct - a fine she hasn't paid Credit: AP 10 Belle Gibson arrives at the Federal Court in Melbourne, Australia, June 20, 2019 Credit: AP APPLE CIDER VINEGAR One expert pointed to the case of Australian influencer Belle Gibson, who was the subject of Netflix documentary "Apple Cider Vinegar" last year. The wellness warrior pretended to have brain cancer, and falsely told her thousands of followers she had cured herself through alternative therapies and nutrition. She gained a huge following online in 2013 after blogging about her "battle with cancer". Gibson amassed 200,000 followers on Instagram when it was still a new social media platform - a large number back then. CANCER CON I was diagnosed with cancer at 19 and then was scammed by con artist Belle Gibson who said she could cure it By Leanne Hall Belle Gibson is the latest fraudster to have a TV show made on how she swindled people out of money by pretending healthy eating and green juices cured her brain cancer. However, it soon became clear that Belle's natural remedies didn't work and that she never even had cancer to begin with. Starting as a blogger in 2009, Belle claimed she was diagnosed with "malignant brain cancer" and given "six to eight months" to live. However, Belle said she had chosen to withdraw from chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment, and instead embarked on "a quest to heal myself naturally… through nutrition, patience, determination and love". With 200,000 followers on Instagram at the time, many of whom were cancer patients, she conned them into thinking she had found a cure. And one of those was fellow Aussie Bella Johnston. At the age of 19, Bella was diagnosed with a paraganglioma, a rare endocrine tumour, in 2009 and was surrounded by older people in the hospital leaving her feeling isolated. So when she found Belle's social media and saw she was roughly the same age and battling cancer too, she was hooked. Bella saw that the influencer had claimed to manage the disease with diet, exercise and alternative medicine and as a result, Bella wanted to follow in her footsteps. But unbeknownst to Bella, the cancer survivor she looked up to was a con artist who had never had the disease. She then released "The Whole Pantry", a health and wellness app. The fraudster claimed doctors told her she only has "six weeks, four months tops" to live - drawing in thousands of sympathetic followers. From there, she also published a cookbook and raked in $400,000 Australian dollars, pledging to donate a share to charity. In 2015, Gibson was exposed by journalists as a fraudster who lied about her medical records and diagnosis. A federal court ordered her to pay a $410,000 fine plus $30,000 in legal costs for misleading and deceptive conduct - a fine she hasn't paid. Her money-grabbing lies went on to inspire many documentaries. What's worse is that she is only one of a growing list of young, attractive and seemingly inspirational women who fake serious illnesses to make money. Sometimes the families themselves are in on the lie - as with the case of British teenager Megan Bhari. Not only were donors conned out of around £400,000, but they duped celebrities including Louis Tomlinson, Taylor Swift, even winning an award from Prime Minister David Cameron. Aged 15, her mother Jean told friends that her daughter - who already suffered from a disease causing a build-up of pressure on the brain - had been diagnosed with a brain tumour. They started a charity, Believe in Magic, a 'Make-a-Wish'-style organisation to bring hope to seriously ill children. Jean herself posted regular updates about her daughter's hospital visits - at one point even raising £120,000 in 48 hours for emergency treatment in the US, saying Megan's tumour had worsened. She even once claimed that Megan had severe sepsis and that doctors had given her only a 10 per cent chance of surviving the next week - but it was all a lie. An inquest later recorded she died of heart failure related to a fatty liver but there was no mention of a tumour on her medical records. The Charity Commission later launched an investigation into Believe in Magic before freezing its accounts following "multiple complaints." Her charity was dissolved after a probe found nearly £400,000 missing from its books. Police did investigate the complaints but said that there was insufficient evidence to take the matter any further. Do you know more? Email 10 The story of the world's most devious con-woman Belle Gibson and how her fraudulent business was finally uncovered was made into a Netflix series
