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Malaysian Reserve
23-05-2025
- Health
- Malaysian Reserve
TikTokers are self-diagnosing. That's not all bad
More people are unfortunately turning to social media because neuropsychological tests are costly. But there is a silver lining 'MY ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)? I figured it out on TikTok,' a new patient told me proudly. She hadn't turned to social media for answers because she wanted to; she just couldn't afford the cost of a formal psychiatric evaluation. Appointments for neuropsychological assessments, the gold standard for diagnosing conditions such as ADHD, are increasingly hard to come by. Many are also expensive and can run anywhere from US$800 to over US$10,000 (RM43,700), depending on the complexity of the tests. Even when the patient has insurance, it often doesn't cover the costs or, worse, denies reimbursement after the fact, deeming the evaluation 'not medically necessary'. Is it harmful that social media platforms are filling an accessibility gap? The answer isn't always 'yes', and the complexity of that deserves more discourse. In my patient's case, she'd only landed in my office because her new job came with decent coverage. But as I reviewed her story, something didn't add up. The symptoms she described didn't match the diagnostic criteria for ADHD as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), which sits on every mental health professional's shelf. In fact, they weren't even close. Yet, despite receiving a diagnosis of anxiety, not ADHD, from two separate professionals, she struggled to move away from what Dr TikTok told her. She is hardly alone. More and more people are turning to social media for instant opinions on what ails them. The 'put a finger down if…' mental health trend, in which a person holds up 10 fingers and puts one down each time they think a symptom applies to them, is increasingly popular. Cost is one reason, but the anonymity of the Internet can be attractive, too. Even those not recording themselves are taking part in the trend behind closed doors. Another draw is that patients can retrofit their preferred answers to their symptoms. If they 'want' to have ADHD or any other condition, they can find confirmation somewhere online. It's no surprise, then, that social media platforms have increasingly supplanted actual doctors. For clinicians like me, this shift is alarming. If WebMD ushered in the age of armchair diagnosis, TikTok has kicked the door wide open. By being fast-paced, algorithm-driven and emotionally compelling, the mental health content on these platforms often simplifies, distorts or completely redefines actual science-based research. The videos create a version of mental illness that feels relatable but often doesn't line up with medical reality. One 2023 study of 600 people showed a growing disconnect between how everyday people and professionals define what counts as a 'disorder'. They found that many people thought that some sets of symptoms are mistakenly left out of the DSM while others are there but should not be. The researchers concluded: 'The public's concept of disorder is not in lockstep with organised psychiatry.' Similarly, a recent study published in Nature found that those who claimed high levels of autism traits in online questionnaires didn't much resemble people formally on the spectrum in a clinical setting. In fact, there was so little overlap between these individuals' self-assessments and professional assessments that they might have described different people. In short, self-diagnosis is often way off the mark. And that matters because once someone goes from curiosity to self-diagnosis, the risks multiply. TikTok-style checklists and unverified quizzes don't come with effective treatment plans, so checking boxes and answering questions in this format can lead people to self-medicate. These actions can also prolong unnecessary suffering since algorithms can trap users in a loop of increasingly intense content that may worsen their mental health. There are also privacy concerns for those who upload videos about their struggles — online spaces aren't bound by Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Still, I don't believe the solution is to reject social media altogether. Social media platforms have opened up conversations about mental health in ways that traditional medicine never could. They've given people — especially those who've been dismissed or ignored by professionals — a space to feel seen and supported. As a trauma therapist, I've worked with many women who were invalidated by the healthcare system, and I see how powerful it is when people find community and language for their experiences online. I don't believe that only mental health professionals should get to talk about mental health. But neither can we ignore the flood of misinformation online. Instead of being adversaries, perhaps clinicians and content creators need to work together. Right now, we're not only in different lanes; we're on completely different highways. What if social media could be an on-ramp instead of a cul-de-sac? What if people started learning about mental health on TikTok but were then connected to actual treatment from trained experts? Yes, there's always a risk of misinformation. But there's also huge potential for spreading good, science-backed knowledge — if we find ways to collaborate instead of isolate. The real issue is that mental health professionals aren't trained to succeed in the world of social media. Doctors are not taught in graduate school how to make attention-grabbing videos or explain complex ideas with emojis, lip-syncs or colour-coded infographics. People such as Dr Becky Kennedy who translates mental health concepts grounded in science into bite-size morsels for the lay audience while cooking and folding laundry are the exception, not the rule. But that needs to change, at least a little. My peers need to venture forth from the safety of our clinical settings into the wild world of social media and plant our flag there. We have to put ourselves where we are most likely to be seen. Then, perhaps slowly, we can begin to meet misinformation with fact and wild speculation with sober advice. Who knows? Maybe the next time one of my patients goes online to seek a diagnosis, she'll find me there. — Bloomberg This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. This article first appeared in The Malaysian Reserve weekly print edition
Malay Mail
20-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Silicon Island reclamation to take 10-15 years, says Penang exco
GEORGE TOWN, May 20 — Reclamation works to create Silicon Island off the southern coast of Penang island are projected to take between 10 and 15 years to complete, the state legislative assembly was told today. State Infrastructure, Transport, and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the reclamation for the 930-hectare island will be in two phases. 'The first phase will involve reclamation of 510 hectares, while phase two will cover the remaining 421 hectares,' he said in reply to a question from Muhamad Kasim (Bersatu-Telok Bahang) on the project's progress and the number of residents affected. 'As at April 30 this year, 60 hectares (150 acres) of land have been reclaimed, meaning the reclamation is 6.5 per cent complete since works commenced in September 2023,' he stated. He clarified that the reclamation works for Silicon Island itself do not involve any land acquisition as they occur entirely at sea. However, the construction of Phase One of the Pan Island Link 2A (PIL2A) highway, connecting Batu Maung to Silicon Island, necessitated land acquisitions in Permatang Damar. Zairil said 13 land lots, 17 residential houses, two business premises, one welfare home, and one place of worship were acquired for the PIL2A project. 'The land acquisition process was approved by the authorities on May 8 last year and gazetted on July 11 last year under Section 8 of the Land Acquisition Act 1960,' he said. He said premise owners received appropriate compensation based on valuations by the Valuation and Property Services Department (JPPH). 'A majority of the stakeholders received compensation exceeding RM1.5 million for each lot of land, while three individuals received ex-gratia payments of RM43,500 each,' Zairil added. He confirmed that the total compensation for land acquisition for the PIL2A project amounted to RM24,154,948.73, with ex-gratia payments totalling RM130,500.
The Star
08-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Fundraising run for cancer research returns to KL on May 18
THE Terry Fox Run will be held in Kuala Lumpur for the third consecutive year, on May 18. The 5km charity race will be flagged off at 7am at the Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur where it will also conclude. Participants will run along Kuala Lumpur City Hall's Sunday morning car-free route. The event is organised in support of Cancer Research Malaysia and is open to participants of all ages. Four Seasons regional commercial director Nelson Hilton said the hotel was proud to continue its support for the cause. 'We're privileged to lead this important event for the third consecutive year and help raise funds for cancer research in the local community. We hope to see families, friends and colleagues come together in support of this worthy cause,' he said. Last year's event drummed up over RM43,000 and organisers are hoping to raise more this year. All funds collected from the sale of official Terry Fox Run T-shirts, available on the hotel's website, will go directly to Cancer Research Malaysia. The hotel's staff members are also expected to take part in the run. The Terry Fox Run began in 1981 in memory of Canadian athlete Terry Fox who lost a leg to bone cancer at age 18. In 1980, he attempted to run across Canada to raise awareness and funds for cancer research. He covered 5,374km before his deteriorating health forced him to stop. Fox died the following year but not before raising CAD24mil for cancer research. Four Seasons founder Isadore Sharp helped organise the first Terry Fox Run which attracted over 300,000 participants. Registration for the Kuala Lumpur event is available online or by scanning the QR code provided by the hotel. For details, call 03-2382 8888 or email
Malay Mail
01-05-2025
- Malay Mail
Thailand warns travellers of fake Digital Arrival Card website charging US$10 for free entry form
BANGKOK, May 1 — Thai authorities have issued a warning about a fraudulent website imitating the newly launched Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) portal for foreign travellers. The fake site, which claims to represent an official third-party service provider, asks users to pay a processing fee of US$10 (RM43) even though the real service is free, the Bangkok Post reported. The TDAC, which came into effect today, replaces the traditional paper TM6 form and is now required for all foreign nationals entering Thailand by air, sea or land. 'The system is fully ready, and backup measures are in place to ensure smooth operations,' said the Ministry of Tourism and Sports in a statement. 'During the initial phase, travellers who encounter any issues can temporarily use a paper immigration form,' the ministry added. Travellers must fill out their details on the official TDAC website and will receive a confirmation email to present upon arrival. The Immigration Bureau has also clarified confusion about the application timeline. Applications can be submitted up to three days before arrival but not earlier, contrary to earlier reports suggesting they had to be filed at least three days in advance. Computer terminals are available at Suvarnabhumi Airport's Immigration area for travellers who need to complete the TDAC on arrival.
Malay Mail
01-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Indian billionaire Adani pauses US$10b chip venture with Israel's Tower, sources reveal
BENGALURU, May 1 — Indian billionaire Gautam Adani's group has paused discussions with Israel's Tower Semiconductor for a US$10 billion (RM43 billion) chip project as it did not make strategic and commercial sense for the group, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters. India's western Maharashtra state in September announced approval for Adani and Tower to set up a facility which would produce 80,000 wafers per month and create 5,000 jobs, helping Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ambition of making India a chipmaking hub. Adani Group had previously said the project was being evaluated, but the talks with Tower have been now been put on hold after the Indian conglomerate's internal evaluation found there was still uncertainty about how much demand — especially in India — the business can generate, said the first source with direct knowledge of the matter. 'It was more of a strategic decision. Adani evaluated it and decided, let's wait,' said the source, adding there is a possibility talks can resume at a later date. A second source briefed on the matter said Adani Group was not satisfied with the amount of financial contribution Tower was willing to make into the partnership, without disclosing details. Tower was to provide technological expertise in the deal, but 'Adani wanted Tower to have more skin in the game' in financial terms, the person added. Adani and Tower did not respond to Reuters queries. The sources declined to be identified as the decision has not been made public. The Israeli contract chipmaker makes analogue and mixed-signal semiconductors used mainly in automobiles. The re-think in plans by Adani, who oversees a sprawling business with a significant presence on the global stage, could be another setback for Modi's 'Make in India' plans for promoting the semiconductor industry. Modi has made chipmaking a top priority for India's economic strategy in pursuit of gaining a greater geopolitical edge in electronics manufacturing. Still, India does not yet have an operational chipmaking facility. A proposed US$19.5 billion joint venture between Indian conglomerate Vedanta and Taiwan's Foxconn fell apart in July 2023, amid concerns raised by New Delhi about project costs and delayed incentive approvals. The most high-profile projects currently under development include a US$11 billion chipmaking and another chip testing plant by the Tata Group, and a US$2.7 billion chip packaging unit by US-based Micron. Adani's assessment about the sector's outlook ascertained that chipmaking, then packaging it for end use and then selling it to potential customers, may not generate as much demand locally, which happens in bigger manufacturing hubs like China, said the first source. The group was of the view the project 'required further evaluation about how does India make sure chips manufactured are sold in India,' the source added. 'The market is still nascent.' UBS this month estimated United States and China are the biggest markets for global semiconductors end-demand, together accounting for a 54 per cent share. India's share this year will be 6.5 per cent. — Reuters
