Recently, author Christopher Rufo tweeted an excerpt from a 2018 publication of the American Psychological Association citing a litany of outlandish terms, including “gender smoothies,” “gender prius,” “gender minotaur,” and more.  

In its typical cyber-censorship fashion, Twitter quickly attached a “fact-check” note that states these labels are only a list of “descriptions” offered by young patients, not actual diagnoses. However, the social media giant wrongly obscured Rufo’s legitimate concern, which is that the APA’s publication supports unquestioningly submitting to a child’s self-diagnosis and description. The authors write, “children will lead the way in carving out their own self-descriptions, categorizations, and assignations of gender.”  

Of course, anyone struggling with any mental health issue needs the space to describe his or her experiences and feelings. However, the goal of therapy is to bring their understanding of the world in line with reality. On no other issue are patients–especially children–allowed to self-diagnose. Twitter should have noted this. Denying reality is wrong and dangerous.