TikTok has a big ADHD problem

ADHD content has been trending on TikTok for a while. Unsurprisingly, much of it has been found to be misleading. 

A study published last week in the journal PLOS One found that fewer than half of the claims in popular ADHD-related TikTok videos aligned with clinical diagnostic criteria or professional treatment guidelines. 

Researchers also warned that the more ADHD content young adults consume on TikTok, the more likely they are to overestimate both how common and how severe ADHD symptoms are in the general population. Even those with an ADHD diagnosis struggled to separate reliable information from misinformation.

The sheer amount of misinformation becomes even less surprising when looking at the fact that about half of the TikTok creators analyzed in the study were using the platform to promote products like fidget spinners or services such as ADHD coaching. None of them were found to be licensed mental health professionals.

Researchers from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver acknowledged that, at its best, mental health content on social media can provide support to those suffering, especially for those who feel isolated or overwhelmed. However, they cautioned that TikTok’s fast-paced, attention-grabbing format makes it difficult to convey the nuance necessary for accurate and responsible discussions about ADHD.

Many ADHD creators on TikTok lean into comedy skits for content, prioritizing laughs and engagement over carefully sourced medical advice. While their intentions may be good, the need to feed the algorithm often overshadows the need for accuracy. Creators may start labeling perfectly normal behaviors as ADHD traits or exaggerating symptoms for comic effect, moving further and further away from clinical guidelines in chasing views. 

The study’s authors suggest that TikTok may also be contributing to an overdiagnosis crisis—an understandable concern given the rising rates of ADHD diagnoses (however, it’s worth noting that many consuming ADHD content will already have a formal diagnosis). 

“TikTok can be an incredible tool for raising awareness and reducing stigma, but it also has a downside,” warned lead author Vasileia Karasavva. “Anecdotes and personal experiences are powerful, but when they lack context, they can lead to misunderstandings about ADHD and mental health in general.”

View the full article