When Algorithms Replace Awareness

Ritu couldn’t sleep.

Her mind was racing—replaying a 15-second Instagram reel she’d seen earlier that evening.

It said: “If your partner doesn’t make you feel emotionally safe, they’re a narcissist. Leave.”

She looked at her husband, fast asleep next to her, and suddenly felt… unsure.

Was she in the wrong relationship?

Had she missed red flags?

Just last week, another reel told her that constant fatigue meant suppressed trauma. One more said if you’re not “healing” daily, you’re emotionally stuck.

Each one felt true.

Each one left her more confused.

Each one made her question parts of her life she’d never doubted before.

This is the new silent storm I’ve been seeing more frequently in therapy sessions: People are outsourcing their self-awareness to strangers on the internet.

And I understand why.

✅ The content is fast.

✅ It feels good.

✅ It’s comforting to hear words that resonate—even if briefly.

But there’s a difference between resonance and reality.

Validation is not the same as understanding.

A feeling is not always a fact.

We are now consuming mental health the way we consume viral trends—quick, aesthetic, and dangerously unfiltered.

But mental health isn’t a vibe. It’s a science. And more importantly—it’s deeply personal.

So, What’s the Harm?

Ritu isn’t broken. She’s just overwhelmed by the noise. She hasn’t lost herself—she’s just being told too many conflicting things about who she should be.

Here’s how I help my clients cut through the noise.

When you come across content that claims to “diagnose” or “define” you, ask yourself:

✅ Is this creator qualified? Can I find their credentials, or are they just popular?

✅ Is this content prompting reflection—or assigning me a label? Am I being asked to explore myself or being told who I am?

✅ Does this make me feel clear—or momentarily comforted?

✅ Am I growing—or stuck in a mental health echo chamber?

If you’re unsure on most, the answer is simple:

🛑 Pause. Log off. Breathe. Reflect.

The Right Way to Use Online Insights

As a psychologist and coach, I believe in using content as a spark—never a substitute.

🔹 If something hits hard, don’t scroll past it.

🔹 Sit with it. Journal about it.

🔹 Talk to someone qualified.

Healing doesn’t live in hashtags—it lives in honest conversations and compassionate spaces.

✨ Let social media guide curiosity, not create identity.

✨ Let peace come from within, not from a reel.

Inspired by my article in The Times of India: 📰 “One should not outsource their self-awareness to strangers on the internet.”

💬 Have you ever second-guessed your reality because of something you saw online?

Let’s talk in the comments.

With regards,

— Dr. Sheetal Nair

The Peace Enabler