Medical Memes Instead of Textbooks?
Fyi this is a very millenial POV
Hi 👋 friends,
It’s been a couple of weeks since I posted as I’ve had a much needed holiday, but am writing this before I board my flight home from Tokyo 🇯🇵. My recent Doctor REACTS YouTube 📹 video checking out some hilarious medical and mental health memes was my most successful video in some time and it’s got me pondering why? What is it about this format that intrigues people? Helps people? Gives them an outlet where if you don’t laugh about a situation you might cry? 😆😭
In the digital age , memes have become more than just a form of entertainment—they are a language of their own. These humorous, relatable, and often satirical images or videos have a unique way of encapsulating shared human experiences. One area where memes have had a significant impact is mental health awareness. For many people, scrolling through social media and encountering a meme that perfectly describes their emotions can be a moment of revelation (and after all, therapy is more about gaining clarity and understanding one’s mind rather than simply proble solving). But how exactly do memes help people understand their mental health? Here are 5 ways that I have found can make these viral pieces of content contribute to mental health awareness and self-reflection.
Who am I?
Hi 👋 friends, thank you so much for subscribing to my newsletter. I’m Elliott, a doctor and psychiatrist in the UK I make content about mental health 🧠 and mental illness 👨⚕️ trying to help improve our understanding of mental health and documenting my own personal and professional journey along the way. My hope is that by sharing what I have learned and what I continue to learn that it will also help you live mentally healthier happier and more productive lives.
1. Making Mental Health More Relatable
Mental health struggles can feel isolating. When individuals experience anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges, they may believe they are alone in their struggles. Memes act as a bridge that connects people through shared emotions. A simple image with a caption about overthinking at night or the struggle of getting out of bed in the morning can resonate deeply. This relatability helps normalize mental health discussions and reduces feelings of isolation.
2. Encouraging Self-Reflection
Sometimes, people don’t recognize their own mental health struggles until they see them reflected in a meme. They may not realise that something they’re living with for so long may not be a normal part of the human experience, whether its difficulties with mood, sleep or chronic exhaustion that cna be a telltale sign of burnout. By presenting mental health concepts in a digestible way, memes help introduce this to someone and guide them towards being curious about their own mind.
3. Reducing Stigma Through Humour
Humour has long been a tool for coping with difficult topics, and mental health is no exception. In fact, psychoanalysts consider humour as a mature defence mechanism (as opposed to more immature ones like splitting, projection and denial). Memes can make an otherwise intimidating topic feel less daunting.
4. Providing Validation and Support
Many people feel invalidated when their emotions or struggles are dismissed by others. Memes act as a form of validation, acknowledging that certain thoughts and feelings are common and that others might feel and think similarly to you. Seeing a meme that humourously portrays social anxiety or intrusive thoughts can reassure individuals that they are not alone in their experiences. Additionally, engaging with these memes creates a sense of community where people support one another through likes, comments, and shares.
5. Encouraging Conversations About Mental Health
Mental health memes spark conversations that might not have happened otherwise. A simple share or tag in a meme can lead to discussions about personal experiences with mental health. This openness fosters an environment where people feel more comfortable discussing their struggles and seeking advice or support from friends and family.
My Thoughts?
Before people can get treatment, they first need to take steps to seek help. Before they can do that, they have to recognise that there may be an issue. Memes are a surprisingly useful tool and cutting through the fear that so many people experience as part of a mental health condition or of seeing a mental health professional - a form of graded exposure if you will. They make knowlegde more accessible (and I’m a firm believer that knowledge is power) and give a healthy outlet that doesn’t involve avoidance of the core issue. In short, providing the content is informed, not misinformed, then I love them. Long live the self-depracating meme.
This weeks recommendations
Here are some of my recommendations to check out from the week. If you’re familiar with them or decide to explore them then I’d love to know.
Book: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck* by Mark Manson is a self-help book that challenges conventional positivity by advocating for a more realistic, values-driven approach to life. Manson argues that people should focus on what truly matters to them instead of trying to please everyone or chase superficial success. He emphasizes accepting limitations, embracing struggles, and choosing carefully where to invest one’s energy. I’m not a big one for self-help books, but the tone of this book and the consistent message throughout resonated with me.
Song: Rylan by The National
"Rylan" is a song by The National, featured on their 2019 album I Am Easy to Find. The song presents a character named Rylan, who grapples with feelings of isolation and societal pressure. The lyrics explore themes of depression, the struggle to conform, and the desire for authenticity in a world that often demands uniformity. The National are one of my favourite bands and they have such an evocative way of coveying intense and relatable emotional states.
TV: Better Call Saul
Better Call Saul is a Breaking Bad prequel that follows Jimmy McGill, a struggling small-time lawyer, as he gradually transforms into the sleazy criminal attorney Saul Goodman. Set in the early 2000s, the show explores Jimmy’s moral dilemmas, his complex relationship with his brother Chuck, and his descent into corruption. Chuck’s diagnosis of what is either a delusional disorder or functional neurological disorder is also fascinating.
Socials
Twitter (X): @elcarthy)
Instagram: @dr.elliott.carthy
TikTok: @drelliottcarthy (if it still exists…)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliottcarthy/
Before you go…
I’d love to know if any of this resonated with you. Leave a comment if you’re comfortable sharing x
Do check out my reaction videos watching some of these hilarious medical memes
Please do share this with anyone you think would like it.
Hi Dr Elliott
I always enjoyed memes and thought it was just my warped sense of humor, but there are so many out there I realized that others must be feeling like I do.
I have chronic illness which keeps me fairly housebound and memes have honestly become friends. There is one for every feeling on every day and sending them to other suffers of my condition or my support net work does more heavy lifting in explanations than a 2000 word essay.
Music - Pink Floyd The Wall. It sometimes just hits the right spot on total frustration
Book - David Mitchell, Unruly. His sarcasm is a wonder to behold and an incredible irrelevant look at royal history, personally I hope he does another covering the Stuart's and Georgian rules.
TV, History Time, Bronze Age Superpower. Long form doco/podcast but so well researched and incredibly interesting
Hi Dr Elliott, hope you had a nice time off in Japan! Did you try the KFC? I've never been but I heard it's much better than in other countries.
I think memes give instant gratification hits and when they're in a sequence, there's added fun of anticipation and surprise for what comes next within the comfort of a selected topic. This variety might also appeal to others.
App algorithms peppering specific psych conditions has been a sort of semi-self-selected mirror that's definitely contributed to finally committing to booking a professional appointment. Prior to the social media meme explosion, a family member got a diagnosis, and a couple friends that happen to be mental healthcare professionals dropped some rather strong hints to me (or at least I read them as hints). Looking forward to some clarity soonish.
The song "I'm in hurry" by Alabama has been a recent anthem of mine. I love how direct and cheesy country music can be.
The book "Raised by Wolves" by James Patterson initially seemed like a bit of fun plucked off the grocery store shelf, but it resonated deeply.