Children and adolescents are reaching out to their peers in all sorts of ways these days in an effort to normalize their experiences, feelings, and the like. The following is a chart from the January 2016 edition of Journal of Adolescent Health (J Adolesc Health. 2016 Jan;58(1):78-84), which highlights alternate profile names your child may put on their Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, SnapChat, TikTok, or other social media pages if they are experiencing any mental health issues. The chart is adapted from the #MySecretFamily download icon on Instagram. If you see any of these alternate names under their list of profile names, talk with them about the meaning. If you’d like to talk with one of our providers about social media behavior or any of these observed pseudonyms, call us at (804) 282-4205.
Disorder Girls Boys
Anorexia Ana Rex
Bulimia Mia Bill
Paranoia Perry Pat
Anxiety Annie Max
ADD/ADHD Addie Andy
Obssessive-Compulsive Disorder Olive Owen
Borderline Bella Ben
Schizophrenia Sophie Skip
Insomnia Izzy Isaiah
Eating Disorder not otherwise specified Ellie Ed
Self Harm Cat Sam
Depression Deb Dan
Suicidal Sue Dallas