Latest news with #BritishPsychologicalSociety
Jordan News
3 days ago
- Health
- Jordan News
Experts Warn: Over Half of Mental Health Content on TikTok Is Misleading - Jordan News
Experts Warn: Over Half of Mental Health Content on TikTok Is Misleading British experts have warned that more than half of the most popular videos on TikTok related to mental health promote misleading information, posing serious risks to users dealing with complex psychological conditions. اضافة اعلان A recent study conducted by The Guardian revealed that users turning to TikTok for instant relief and solutions to deal with trauma, depression, or anxiety may end up feeling worse after following inaccurate advice. Amber Johnson, a psychologist accredited by the British Psychological Society, told the newspaper: 'TikTok spreads misinformation by suggesting the existence of universal secret truths that can make viewers feel worse, as if they're failing—when, in reality, the advice is overly simplistic and ineffective.' She added: 'Each video wrongly suggests that everyone experiences PTSD the same way, with symptoms that can be easily explained in a 30-second clip.' The study analyzed the 100 most popular TikTok videos under the hashtag #mentalhealthtips, which were later reviewed by psychology professionals to assess their accuracy and potential harm. Experts classified 52 of these videos—offering advice on trauma, neurodivergence, anxiety, depression, and other serious disorders—as misleading. Many clips contained vague claims and lacked any real therapeutic value. The experts criticized the content for misusing clinical terminology, offering advice based on personal anecdotes, making sweeping generalizations, and downplaying the complexity of mental health disorders. They warned that such advice could distort public understanding of mental illness, and urged government regulators to enforce stricter safeguards against the spread of harmful misinformation. In response to the study, TikTok claimed to offer a platform for millions of users to express themselves and share their 'authentic' mental health journeys. A spokesperson for the company told The Guardian: 'There are clear limitations to the methodology of this study, which appears to oppose freedom of expression and implies that people shouldn't be allowed to share their personal stories.' — Al Arabiya
Time of India
5 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Mental health myths go viral on social media: Experts warn of potential risks
It's not fun and content anymore. More than half of the most popular TikTok videos related to mental health spread misinformation, posing a significant risk to users who are struggling with complex conditions, British experts have warned. A recent study conducted by The Guardian revealed, those seeking instant relief and solutions for issues like trauma, depression, or anxiety may find themselves feeling more distressed after following flawed advice they had gotten from the widely popular social media platform. What's happening? The study examined the top 100 videos posted under the hashtag #mentalhealthtips on TikTok, which were then reviewed by psychological professionals for accuracy and potential harm. Researchers identified 52 videos that provided misleading mental health advice on topics such as trauma, neurodivergence, anxiety, and depression. Some clips offered vague, ineffective advice. What are the experts saying? Amber Johnson, a psychologist accredited by the British Psychological Society, told The Guardian, 'TikTok is perpetuating misinformation by implying there are universal tips and truths that may actually worsen a viewer's feelings, making them feel like a failure when these suggestions don't provide an easy cure.' She added, 'Each video tends to suggest that everyone experiences PTSD in the same way, with similar symptoms that can be adequately explained in a 30-second clip. ' Dan Poulter, a psychiatrist with the National Health Service, stated, 'This misinformation can mislead impressionable audiences and trivialize the life experiences of individuals living with serious mental illness.' Experts criticized these videos for misusing therapeutic language, relying on personal anecdotes, and making sweeping generalizations that overlook the complexities of various mental health conditions. The experts cautioned that such dangerous tips could distort public perception of mental illness and urged government officials to implement stronger safeguards against the spread of harmful misinformation. David Okai, a psychological medical researcher at King's College London, mentioned, 'Short, attention-grabbing soundbites can sometimes overshadow the more nuanced realities of qualified therapeutic work. ' What does TikTok say about it? In response to these findings, TikTok defended its platform, emphasizing that it provides a space for millions to express themselves and share their 'authentic' mental health journeys. A spokesperson for the platform stated, 'There are clear limitations to the methodology of this study, which opposes free expression and implies that people should not be allowed to share their own stories. We actively collaborate with health experts from the World Health Organization and the NHS to promote reliable information and remove 98% of harmful misinformation before it is reported to us. ' While TikTok can offer insights and connect individuals seeking mental health information, it's generally not advisable to rely on it for professional advice, especially regarding mental health. It's crucial to approach TikTok mental health content with a critical eye and consult with qualified professionals for accurate diagnosis and treatment. The popular app is currently facing several lawsuits in the US, accusing it of harming children's mental health through addictive features and dangerous content, which have contributed to rising rates of depression and anxiety. Weekly Health News (May 20-26) One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Overwhelmed by company? Five introvert-friendly ways to hang out
When I arrive at a gathering I tend to announce my departure in the same breath as my greeting. 'Hi! I brought some wine, where do you want it? Just letting you know I can only stay an hour because I start work really early on Sunday mornings.' Then I might throw in a little yawn and stretch. Restaurants aren't much different: my leg's likely to be jiggling before the order has been jotted down. The last mouthful of dessert sounds a last-drinks bell in my head. It's not that I don't love my friends. I've just got a window of tolerance for face-to-face activities, and then the agitation kicks in. I've been so fascinated by social reluctance that I wrote a book exploring it, The Introvert's Guide to Leaving the House. In my 30s, I'd embarked on a five-year mission to become more outgoing, figuring out which situations I could be comfortable in, and setting myself exercises in social etiquette, empathy and positive reframing. These techniques became second nature by the time I hit my 40s, so I decided to share what I'd learned. Related: In my family, introvert-extrovert pairings are common. But I had to get to 36 to learn which one applied to me | Jessie Cole It seems timely. When discussing the book with non-introverts, I realised that social overwhelm has massively broadened in recent years. Whether you blame lockdowns, news-cycle malaise or digital-era disconnect, we're less likely to commit to an outing. But I've learned it's possible to engineer low-key hangs that charge an introvert's social battery – or at least don't drain it as quickly. The three-second rule doesn't just apply to dropped food. As reported by the British Psychological Society, a 2016 study of nearly 500 participants found the vast majority felt most comfortable with eye contact that lasted just over three seconds. Business blogs from Throughline Group to Inc will tell you that's the optimal eye gaze time because you're showing engagement without becoming unnerving. That's why shoulder-to-shoulder activities are such a relief. These are activities we do alongside each other rather than face to face, such as going to a gallery, playing pool, a games night, joining your local chapter of the Silent Book Club or taking a simple walk – cheapest hangout ever. Men tend to naturally go shoulder to shoulder more than women; in fact, the Australian Men's Shed Association slogan is 'Men don't talk face to face, but shoulder to shoulder'. I prefer to know in advance how many people are coming. A newish friend once suggested we go on holiday overseas. I agreed, we made an itinerary, then she announced that another woman, who I didn't know, would be joining us. 'The more the merrier!' said the friend. Worst holiday ever. The maths is simple: the more bodies there are in a social pile-up, the more overwhelming it becomes. A single person is possible to read. A scenario with two people requires split concentration to accommodate them both. More than two people means second-guessing what everyone is thinking, so knowing what is most appropriate to say is absolutely impossible. It can help to know who's coming in order to take a moment beforehand to recall the last time you met each person and what was going on for them. Having a one to one side-conversation with someone about something that interests them is infinitely better than aimless group small talk. You could even make notes in your phone contacts whenever you've had an interesting chat. It's not stalking, it's anthropology – you're studying your community. What if you don't know the people? I like to gamify a situation I'm not looking forward to. In this scenario the game could be: figure out who in this group could potentially be your new BFF. Find common ground. Many introverts take the scraping of chair legs across a cafe floor extremely personally. We're sensitive to loud, unscheduled noises (at kids' parties, balloons were a nightmare for me), so venues with the acoustics of a concrete cube are best avoided lest we fritz our synapses. For anyone with sensory processing issues or simply of an irritable nature, a table of six people talking at once sounds like a beer hall during Oktoberfest. Worse, there's probably going to be cross-talk, where more than one conversation is competing for our brain's attention. In these social gatherings I often fall silent. People must think I have the consumptive constitution of a 19th-century muse. If it's just you and a friend, you could likely get away with suggesting a venue change because you're dying to hang on to their every word but can't hear them. If it's a larger group you could try wearable tech – the fancy term for earplugs. Brands such as Happy Ears, Earjobs or Loop earplugs reduce background noise while still allowing conversation to cut through. Related: Earplugs as fashion items? I gave Loop's hit accessories a festival test Every year I fly back to the UK for a week-long family holiday by the seaside, but despite wanting to see my family, I find being fully present during this intensive period a real struggle. After each trip my cousin Adam posts a big album of photos to Facebook. Without fail I'm only in about two photographs, because all week I've been 'just going back to the house', 'just off to get something' or giving them a head start to the beach hut and promising to catch up. Eventually. One year, I decided I would consciously opt to skip certain activities and fully participate in others. Of course, I chose to commit to shoulder-to-shoulder activities. For instance, I opted out of sitting and chatting in the beach hut, but committed to a board game in the evening. Think of the next lengthy get-together you've got coming up and consider what elements you'll sit out and what you'll commit to. Then make sure you're in the photos. Now you've committed to a hangout, give yourself time to self-regulate, since your mood has an effect on others. That means no sighing on arrival or being distant. Introverts can find it harder than most to communicate what's going on for us, but developmentally, managing our spillage is something we ought to be on top of by the time we leave school. If we're still killing everyone's buzz as adults, then it's something we've given ourselves permission to do, hoping people will just make allowances. If your modus operandi has always been Wallow Now, Apologise Later, a good way to behaviour-check yourself is to ask: am I likely to send an apologetic text to this person later? If the answer is yes, try to tackle your behaviour in the moment instead. You might acknowledge your mood and say you're going to reset. You could even half-jokingly ask the other person to help you out by giving you an update on their news while you're 'rebooting'. Better still, take a few minutes before a meet-up to focus on your positive relationship with the person and what might be going on in their life. Ultimately, the best way to get out of your own head is to consider another person's needs. Jenny Valentish is the author of The Introvert's Guide to Leaving the House (Simon & Schuster, A$36.99)
The Sun
23-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
Psychologist reveals how to walk in, sit and what to say in ANY job interview… and 4-second rule for a big advantage
I THINK we can all agree - job interviews are nerve-wracking. Psychologist Ian MacRae tells The Sun exactly how to walk in, sit down, and the golden words to say in any interview. 3 Because - as the UK's job market continues to weaken and wages remain stagnant - it's never felt more important to nail that first impression. How to walk in "Be confident when you enter, and when you are speaking - but don't be overconfident or aggressive when the other person is speaking," says MacRae, a member of the British Psychological Society. "Aim to be confident in your own approach and your own answers without dominating the conversation." While humbleness is generally considered a good quality - and is absolutely necessary in some jobs, such as caring roles - it's not a good idea to talk down your achievements. "False humility is rarely well received," explains MacRae. "If you're talking about your accomplishments, be confident about them." There is a balance to be struck between being confident and warm. Confidence can easily be mistaken for cockiness if it's overdone, according to MacRae. "Research shows both confidence and warmth significantly improve social perceptions, so don't overdo the confidence so much that you fail to listen to the other person, or respond to them respectfully," he says. "Show that you're confident you can do the job, but that you're receptive to learning." Anger is a natural response to seeing an ex move on and have a baby, says tv psychologist 3 How you should sit Now you might not think you need tips on something as simple as sitting in a chair - but posture is important. According to MacRae, "it influences both how you are seen and how you feel". To really give off the best impression, MacRae suggests relaxing your shoulders, keeping your feet grounded and your hands visible. Try not to hunch forward. With your hands visible, you may be less likely to fidget. If you tend to fidget, don't take along props that you are more likely to fidget with. Ian MacRaePsychologist Most people fidget, especially when they're nervous. But "pronounced, loud and exaggerated" fidgeting can be a distraction to an interviewer, according to MacRae. "If you tend to fidget, don't take along props that you are more likely to fidget with," he says. "The last thing you want to be doing is spinning around a vape pen or constantly checking a mobile phone during an interview - this goes for remote interviews too. "If you tend to fidget, be very careful what you place around you on the desk. If your hands need to be busy, take notes." MacRae also suggests modelling your posture on whoever is interviewing you - without being an obvious copycat, of course. "Generally, when you are attentive to the other person's body language, you naturally mimic it to a certain degree," he says. "So don't consciously try to mirror their actions but pay attention to their posture, facial expressions and body language to pick up more clues and context about the questions they are asking." 3 The advert trick Now nobody can tell you what to say to win over an interviewer - not even ChatGPT. But there are some golden phrases you can use, quietly given to you by the hiring company through the form of a job advert. "Good job adverts - not all adverts - will give you some important clues and keywords about what matters," explains MacRae. "Learn the keywords and what they are often code for." Though preparation goes a long way in an interview. The best thing you can do is to demonstrate that you understand what's required for the role, what kind of challenges there will be, and that you have the capacity to solve those problems. As MacRae notes, there is no "set of magic words" that is going to secure you a job offer. But preparing some general talking points and questions relevant to the job will put you in better stead. "The best thing you can do is to demonstrate that you understand what's required for the role, what kind of challenges there will be, and that you have the capacity to solve those problems," MacRae adds. "Asking questions that demonstrate you understand what is required in the role can really help." These days, people have to go through multiple rounds of interviews to land a job offer. Another tip up MacRae's sleeve is to ask the recruiter what the next interviewer is looking for. "They'll often tell you," he says. "And that can really help you prepare. Write down what they tell you." MacRae continues: "If they can't or won't tell you, that's also an important piece of information if they don't really know what they're looking for." Try to practice common interview questions with a friend or family member to make any surprise questions feel less intimidating. The 4-second rule It's the big day - you've done all the preparation you can, all you need to do now is walk into the job interview and shine. But those pesky nerves creep in, and you're afraid your mind might go blank at a crucial moment. According to MacRae, mental prep helps just as much as prior notetaking about the role. He suggests a simple four-second rule that can help "reset your system" by quickly slowing your heart rate and lowering your cortisol - the stress hormone. "There is strong evidence that techniques like box breathing works, in for 4, hold for 4, out for 4, hold for 4," says MacRae. "Just a few rounds before the interview can help you relax." If you want this technique to be really effective - it's best to start practising it now. "The more you practise calming techniques before you need them, the easier they are to activate under pressure," MacRae explains.
Wales Online
15-05-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
Number of children waiting for gender care up 12 per cent in a year
Number of children waiting for gender care up 12 per cent in a year 157 of those on the waiting list are under 10 years old A girl paints a heart in the colours of the rainbow The number of children awaiting gender care in England and Wales has risen by 12% in a year, with 157 of those on the waiting list aged under 10. Average waiting times have also grown to more than two years for a child to get a first appointment at a specialist NHS clinic. There were 6,225 children on the national waiting list at the end of March – up from 5,560 at the same point a year earlier, data obtained by the PA news agency showed. The British Psychological Society said the numbers show that 'demand is currently outpacing supply' and warned it is 'essential' for children to get professional care and support 'before they reach crisis point'. Health Secretary Wes Streeting last year branded waiting times 'unacceptable', acknowledging the 'enormous distress' they can cause. Responding to the latest figures, NHS medical director for specialised services Professor James Palmer said he understands it 'can be really difficult' for children and their families waiting to be seen. Two children's gender hubs, led by London's Great Ormond Street Hospital (Gosh) and Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool, opened in April 2024. This followed the closure of the Gender Identity Development Service (Gids) run by the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust. A third service has since opened Bristol while another is planned for the East of England 'later this spring', according to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). The aim is for there to eventually be up to eight specialist children's gender clinics covering the seven NHS regions in England. Of those on the national waiting list – which covers England and Wales because the latter does not have its own dedicated children's gender clinic – 157 children were aged under 10, according to a Freedom of Information request by PA. Article continues below Fewer than 10 children were aged under five years old, NHS England said, adding that it would not give an exact number as this could breach confidentiality because of people being potentially identifiable in smaller groups. There is no minimum age requirement for gender care, with the NHS previously saying they want to ensure parents of very young children are given support where necessary. Waiting times for a first appointment have also risen, to an average of 116 weeks at the end of March from an average of 100 weeks at the end of May last year. Dr Roman Raczka, president of the British Psychological Society, said: 'It is essential that children, young people and their families can access the professional care and support they need, before they reach crisis point. 'Demand is currently outpacing supply. This contributes to a range of broader challenges which face children and young people's services that require further investment.' Some 250 patients transferred from Gids have been seen by new services, and it is understood each of the new clinics is designed to see 25 patients a month. Following the Cass Review last year which concluded children had been let down by a lack of research and evidence on medical interventions in gender care, NHS England announced a new plan which requires new referrals into the clinics to have been seen by a GP and mental health specialist or paediatrician first. Guidance expected to be published later this month will see the health service move away from a 'medical model' in favour of a 'holistic' approach to children's gender care, as per recommendations from the Cass Review. According to leaked plans reported last month, children who have gender dysphoria will be tested for neurodevelopmental conditions including autism and ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder). Prof Palmer said: 'We know it can be really difficult for children and young people and their families who are waiting to be seen by our new holistic gender services, and that's why it has been so important that we put a new system in place to ensure that, while they're waiting, they can access mental health support if they need it. 'The NHS is now almost halfway through its planned expansion of regional services, and we are seeing significantly fewer referrals as children are first assessed by paediatric or mental health experts and provided with care in NHS services that are more appropriate to their needs.' Puberty blockers are not prescribed on the NHS to children for the treatment of gender dysphoria, after a ban last year was made permanent in December with the agreement of devolved governments across the UK. Plans remain in place to set up a clinical trial into the use of puberty blockers this year, although no patients have yet been recruited while ethical and regulatory approval is awaited. Article continues below A DHSC spokesperson said: 'We are working with NHS England to reform children's gender services in line with the recommendations from the Cass review, to provide children with timely, holistic support. We've opened three new children and young people's gender services with a fourth anticipated to open later this spring. These new services will increase clinical capacity and reduce waiting times, so patients can be seen sooner and closer to home.'
