Are “Am I Crazy” Quizzes Good Or Bad For Our Mental Health?
If you’ve been doing online research because you’re concerned about your mental health, you may have stumbled on quizzes that claim to tell you if you’re “crazy” or “losing your mind.” Unfortunately, many of those have very little basis in actual psychological research. Mental health professionals don’t generally use this type of vague, stigmatizing language, and they wouldn’t usually recommend online quizzes in place of a professional diagnosis.
However, there are some useful resources online that may help you get a better understanding of your mental health challenges.
This article can direct you to some of those more reliable options and provide insight regarding where you can go next if you think you need research-based psychological assistance.
Why “am I crazy” quizzes can do more harm than good
Thanks to tools like Google and Wikipedia, many may have gotten used to the idea that we can find information about any topic with a few clicks. With this in mind, many may want to turn to the internet for information regarding sensitive medical conditions. Surveys published in BMC Psychiatry suggest that at least 70% of internet users look online for content related to mental health—with estimates projecting numbers that may be likely to grow as internet usage expands worldwide.
“Am I Crazy” quizzes or tests typically don’t align with current research
Unfortunately, the internet isn’t generally subject to the same rigorous, evidence-based standards as licensed mental health professionals. When you click on a random online quiz, there’s usually no guarantee that it’s based on controlled clinical research. The person creating it may be more interested in selling you something or showing you advertisements than in giving you reliable information.
Additionally, these researchers may not have a complete or up-to-date understanding of what they’re referencing when discussing mental health conditions. In many areas, licensed mental health practitioners are required to continue educating themselves throughout their careers. This can help to ensure that they’re aware of new developments and discoveries in clinical research, generally empowering them to give their patients care that’s up to current standards.
How to spot an unreliable mental health quiz
You may be wondering: Is there a way to figure out if an online test will tell you something useful about your mental health? Mental health is far more complicated than a quick questionnaire can capture, so it’s usually best to be cautious about taking any internet quiz results at face value—but the following red flags may be particularly concerning.
They use slang terms like “crazy” in referring to mental illnesses
As we mentioned above, trustworthy sources about mental health generally avoid calling people “crazy”. This term conveys very little clinical information, and can play into negative stereotypes about mental illness. The same goes for words like “nuts”, “psycho”, and “mentally challenged”.
They use broad generalizations
If the quiz you’re looking at makes vague, sweeping claims (such as: “Bipolar people generally...” or “All people with eating disorders do...”—it may be based more on stereotypes than science.
They lack sources to back their claims
Sites that are careful about doing their research might also tend to be careful about how they cite it. If a mental health resource provides no links or references to psychological studies backing up its claims, you may want to take what it says with a grain of salt.
They offer a definitive diagnosis.
Diagnosing psychiatric conditions often requires a detailed assessment of a patient’s physical health, life circumstances and behavior from a knowledgeable practitioner. You may choose to be skeptical of any website claiming that you have a particular mental health condition based on a simple or single questionnaire.
The absence of the warning signs listed above doesn’t necessarily mean that a particular website is legitimate. If something you’ve read online has made you suspect that you have a mental health condition, it’s generally best to follow up with a licensed professional.
How to find reliable mental health resources online
Despite everything we’ve said above, it can be possible to find helpful information about mental health on the internet. Many conscientious researchers, clinicians and professional associations have created useful resources to help educate the public about psychiatric practice and psychological research.
One generally reliable way to locate reliable information is to look for publications by trusted organizations. The following groups may provide a wide variety of mental health-related information based on peer-reviewed research and widely accepted clinical standards:
- The American Psychiatric Association (APA). The American Psychiatric Organization is generally known as a professional organization for practicing clinical psychiatrists. This group publishes the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), which is regarded by most as the most widely used handbook for classifying and assessing mental health Conditions.
- Academic Sources. It would be impossible to list every academic organization here, but in general, accredited universities can be good sources of research-based tools for assessing your mental health.
- The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Dedicated to improving the lives and communities of people with mental illness, this advocacy group can offer some helpful information about recognizing and seeking treatment for psychological conditions.
- Mental Health America (MHA). This is another nonprofit organization that works toward many of the same goals as NAMI. MHA has a number of mental health assessment tools that can help you figure out if you’re experiencing symptoms that are known to be consistent with certain mental disorders.
What questionnaires do mental health professionals use?
You may be aware that some standardized questionnaires have been developed to help clinicians assess the mental health of their patients. Some of these tools are available to the public, though many might be copyrighted or require payment.
You may find them interesting or helpful in assessing your own mental well-being, but it can be important to remember that they’re meant to be administered and interpreted by trained mental health caregivers. We don’t recommend using them for self-diagnosis.
Some commonly used psychological questionnaires include:
Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)
The original MMPI was generally believed to be an attempt to create a standardized tool that could provide a broad overview of a person’s personality and mental health. Though there is some controversy about its effectiveness, it’s still commonly used in situations such as job applications, court-ordered psychological evaluations and everyday clinical mental health care. The latest version of the MMPI, and related training materials, can be purchased online.
Duttweiler Internal Control Index (ICI)
This scale was generally developed to attempt to measure the degree of the test-taker’s internal locus of control — also known as their tendency to believe that their success or failure was mostly the result of their own actions. The locus of control is a personality metric that may have important implications for how a person approaches their goals and responds to setbacks. The original paper describing the scale can be viewed online, though it may require purchase or institutional login.
Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)
As you may be able to guess from the name, this tool generally aims to evaluate a person for common symptoms of depression. High scores on this measure aren’t usually sufficient to diagnose a person with a depressive disorder, however, they may be an indicator that it’s worth talking with a therapist regarding one’s experience. It’s viewable for free here.
Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)
This is a complement to the BDI designed to assess anxiety disorder symptoms (such as frequent panic attacks or consistent dread). Both of these tests are fairly quick, constituting just 21 questions each, and can be self-scored. If you’re interested in taking the BAI, you can find it here.
Licensed therapists can help you evaluate your mental health
No matter how useful an online assessment may be, they are generally not a substitute for a conversation with an accredited mental health caregiver. If you have concerns about your psychological well-being, it’s can be best to seek evaluation and treatment from a professional.
Statistical analysis of follow-up studies suggests that those who receive psychotherapy have better mental health afterward than 75% of people who don’t.
How Could Online Therapy Support Those Living With Mental Health Conditions?
Some clients may be more comfortable engaging in therapy over the internet. Remote therapy, also known as telemental health, is becoming more widely available to most. It can be more convenient than in-person therapy— especially for those who may experience difficulty leaving the home as a result of their symptomatic experience. Many people also feel more comfortable opening up to their therapists due to the increased sense of control and distance.
Is Online Therapy Effective? Current research suggests that online therapy works quite well. A recent reviewof the psychological literature published in Cureus found that internet-based therapy was “effective in the treatment and management” of a wide variety of psychological challenges, including depression, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at (800) 662-4357 to receive support and resources. Support is available 24/7.
Takeaway
How do I accept that I'm mentally ill?
Receiving a mental illness diagnosis can be distressing for some people. It might disrupt how they think about themselves, their relationships, and their overall worldview. With acceptance, however, often comes healing and moving forward. Below are some tips on how to accept your mental illness and care for yourself.
- Become educated and move beyond the stigma
Learn about the mental illness to cultivate a better understanding of its causes, symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options. Education about mental illness can diminish stigma and develop more empathy and understanding from others and from yourself—partner with your mental health professional for information and resources.
- Learn to recognize the things that impact your symptoms.
It may help to understand when, where, and why symptoms emerge. If you can identify how the disorder affects you in the moment, you may gain some acceptance and insight into any limiting or stigmatizing beliefs you might have.
- Cultivate supportive relationships.
Relationships with others who recognize the issue and offer understanding and acceptance can help you find greater self-acceptance. This may include trusted friends, family, or peers who can provide overall support and a listening, non-judgmental ear.
- Engage in behaviors that support acceptance.
Attending therapy sessions, taking medications as directed (if applicable), and connecting with support groups are all things you can do to encourage acceptance. Participating in activities you enjoy, like a hobby or sport, is a form of self-care that can also cultivate more acceptance and identity beyond your mental health disorder.
- Allow yourself to experience challenging emotions.
Research suggests that repressing emotions can be harmful to your physical and mental health, but it can also hinder your path to accepting that you have a mental health issue. When you pay attention to and "make space for" feelings like shame, grief, anger, or guilt, it often paves the way for resolving and moving on from them.
Why do I think I'm crazy?
It isn't necessarily out of the ordinary for individuals to ask themselves, "Am I crazy?" Only you can answer for sure why you think you may be "crazy," but there are several factors that contribute to one's perception of their own mental health. For example, being in an unhealthy relationship with someone who engages in gaslighting behavior or experiencing an overwhelming life change. Here are a few signs that may point to a mental health issue:
- Intense feelings of fear and dread without an apparent cause.
- Constant worry
- Extreme feelings of guilt without cause
- Withdrawal/isolation
- Inability to enjoy activities you once liked to do
- Feelings of mistrust/paranoia
- Hearing voices that aren't there
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Low mood
- Extreme mood swings
- Absence of emotions
- Physical symptoms accompanied by overwhelming anxiety like sudden stomach pain, headaches, tremors, sweating, dizziness, increased heart rate, and difficulty breathing are typical of panic attacks.
If you're experiencing such symptoms, reach out to a mental health professional. When left unaddressed, they can develop into a more serious mental health issue. Seek treatment immediately if you are experiencing thoughts of suicide or self-harm.
Do I have a mental illness, or am I overreacting?
If you are concerned about having a mental illness, understand that your feelings are valid and address them with a mental health professional. While overreacting happens occasionally to most people, if it's accompanied by feelings of severe panic and fear and physical symptoms like trembling, dizziness, trouble breathing, heart palpitations, and sweating, it could be a sign of a panic attack. If you are unsure, seek assistance from a professional— ongoing feelings of overwhelm can be a sign of something more serious.
How do I overcome insanity?
If you feel that you may have a mental health disorder, seeking assistance from a licensed professional is typically the first step in understanding and managing the symptoms you might be experiencing. There are several mental disorders that don't "go away" completely but are highly treatable with the right interventions.
What is the hardest mental illness to live with?
Different people experience mental illness in unique ways, so what is the hardest to live with for one person may not be as impactful to another. Some research suggests that Schizophrenia and personality disorders are the most disabling to live with, but that doesn't mean that individuals who have them aren't capable of living a happy, productive life.
What are the four types of insanity?
The "four types of insanity" refers to a set of rules used to determine if an individual can claim insanity as a legal defense:
- The M'Naghten defense
This rule states that an individual might be found not guilty if the defense can establish that they had a mental disorder when they committed the crime and were either unaware of what they were doing or didn't know it was wrong.
- The irresistible impulse defense
Under this rule, an individual may be found not guilty if the defense can prove that they were unable to control their impulses at the time of the offense. Unlike the M'Naghten defense, this rule applies even in cases when the individual knew the offense was illegal or morally wrong.
- The substantial capacity defense
According to the substantial capacity rule, a defendant can be found legally insane if they lacked the capacity to understand the wrongfulness of their actions at the time of the offense or to conform their actions according to the requirements of the law.
- The Durham insanity defense
The Durham rule states that the jury may determine if a defendant is not guilty by reason of insanity because the crime was the product of a mental disorder. It is no longer used in most states because it was determined that the rule gives psychological and psychiatric experts an imbalanced influence on an insanity ruling.
Is insanity fixable?
Most mental illnesses are chronic disorders, meaning they cannot be cured. However, many of them can be treated effectively to reduce the negative impacts of symptoms on an individual's daily life.
What mental illness has no cure?
Most mental illnesses have no cure but, again, are highly manageable with treatment. However, there are a few that require lifelong treatment, including, but not limited to:
- Bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Some forms of depression
- Some anxiety disorders
- Some eating disorders
What is the deadliest mental illness list?
There is no official list of the deadliest mental illnesses, and whether or not a mental illness is considered deadly typically depends on individual experiences. However, a multitude of studies have counted mortality rates in individuals with eating disorders among the highest. Research also indicates that substance use disorders are responsible for high premature mortality rates and are considered among the deadliest of mental disorders.
Who suffers most from mental illness?
Who is the most impacted by mental illness depends largely on the type of condition and other factors like age and gender. For example, according to recent statistics, women are more likely to be diagnosed with certain mental conditions like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. At the same time, men are more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Living with mental health issues can be highly distressing for the individual experiencing it. However, it can also impact the individuals they engage with in daily life, such as family, friends, loved ones, coworkers, peers, and neighbors.
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