Summary: A new study found that popular ADHD-related content on TikTok often misaligns with clinical guidelines, potentially influencing how young adults perceive the disorder. Researchers analyzed the top 100 ADHD videos and found that less than half of the claims matched professional diagnostic criteria.
Young adults who consumed more of this content were more likely to overestimate ADHD symptoms and recommend videos with misleading information. Experts emphasize the need for mental health professionals to engage in social media discussions to ensure accurate, evidence-based resources reach viewers.
Key Facts:
- Widespread Misinformation: Less than 50% of ADHD claims on TikTok align with clinical guidelines.
- Impact on Perception: Frequent TikTok viewers tend to overestimate ADHD symptoms.
- Expert Engagement Needed: Mental health professionals can help counteract misinformation.
Source: University of British Columbia
The most popular ADHD-related content on TikTok often does not match mental health professionals’ views, potentially influencing how young adults perceive the disorder, a new University of B.C. study has found.
An analysis of the 100 most-viewed TikTok videos related to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) revealed that fewer than half the claims regarding symptoms made in those videos actually align with clinical guidelines for diagnosing ADHD.
“TikTok can be an incredible tool for raising awareness and reducing stigma, but it also has a downside,” said Vasileia Karasavva, lead author of the study published today in PLOS One and a PhD student in clinical psychology.
“Anecdotes and personal experiences are powerful, but when they lack context, they can lead to misunderstandings about ADHD and mental health in general.”
In the videos, many TikTok creators shared personal experiences without indicating that they don’t necessarily apply to everyone with ADHD, and might even occur for people who don’t have the disorder. This lack of nuance may lead viewers to misinterpret symptoms or incorrectly diagnose themselves.
ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders diagnosed in childhood, and often continues into adulthood. It is characterized by having difficulty paying attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behaviour. It is estimated to affect about three to seven percent of adults worldwide.
How TikTok influences perceptions
The study found that the more ADHD-related TikTok content a young adult consumes, the more likely they are to overestimate both the prevalence and severity of ADHD symptoms in the general population. Participants who watched more of this content were also more likely to recommend the videos—despite the unreliability of the information.
Researchers had two clinical psychologists evaluate the top 100 most-viewed TikTok videos under the hashtag #ADHD for accuracy, nuance and overall quality. Then, 843 undergraduate students were surveyed about their TikTok habits and asked to rate 10 videos: the five highest-rated and five lowest-rated by the psychologists.
The results showed a clear difference in how each group assessed the content:
- Clinical psychologists gave the more accurate ADHD videos an average rating of 3.6 out of five, while young adults gave them 2.8.
- The psychologists rated the least reliable videos at 1.1 out of five. Young adults rated them significantly higher at 2.3.
This suggests that misinformation may be slipping through unnoticed by most young people.
The need for professional engagement on social media
Clinical psychologists and other mental health professionals could play a more active role in TikTok discussions around ADHD, the researchers say. By providing expert-backed content, they could help counter misinformation and ensure young people have access to reliable resources.
“Some young adults turn to TikTok because of access barriers, or negative experiences they have had with mental health professionals,” said Dr. Amori Mikami, a professor of psychology at UBC and the study’s senior author.
“It is also our responsibility to address equity gaps in who can see a psychologist.”
A balanced approach to ADHD information
The study underscores the importance of seeking professional guidance when considering an ADHD diagnosis. While TikTok can be a valuable tool for community building, it should not replace evidence-based resources. The researchers advise young adults to:
- Cross check TikTok information with reputable sources such as medical websites, books and healthcare professionals.
- See doctors, therapists or university mental health services for guidance on ADHD and other concerns.
- Consider whether stress, anxiety or cognitive overload could be contributing to difficulties before assuming you have ADHD.
About this ADHD and social media research news
Author: Erik Rolfsen
Source: University of British Columbia
Contact: Erik Rolfsen – University of British Columbia
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original Research: Open access.
“A double-edged hashtag: Evaluation of #ADHD-related TikTok content and its associations with perceptions of ADHD” by Amori Mikami et al. PLOS ONE
Abstract
A double-edged hashtag: Evaluation of #ADHD-related TikTok content and its associations with perceptions of ADHD
We aimed to assess the psychoeducational quality of TikTok content about attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) from the perspective of both mental health professionals and young adults across two pre-registered studies.
In Study 1, two clinical psychologists with expertise in ADHD evaluated the claims (accuracy, nuance, overall quality as psychoeducation material) made in the top 100 #ADHD TikTok videos.
Despite the videos’ immense popularity (collectively amassing nearly half a billion views), fewer than 50% of the claims about ADHD symptoms were judged to align with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
In Study 2, 843 undergraduate students (no ADHD = 224, ADHD self-diagnosis = 421, ADHD formal diagnosis = 198) were asked about their typical frequency of viewing #ADHD content on TikTok and their perceptions of ADHD and were shown the top 5 and bottom 5 psychologist-rated videos from Study 1.
A greater typical frequency of watching ADHD-related TikToks was linked to a greater willingness to recommend both the top and bottom-rated videos from Study 1, after controlling for demographics and ADHD diagnostic status.
It was also linked to estimating a higher prevalence of ADHD in the general population and greater challenges faced by those with ADHD.
Our findings highlight a discrepancy between mental health professionals and young adults regarding the psychoeducational value of #ADHD content on TikTok.
Addressing this is crucial to improving access to treatment and enhancing support for those with ADHD.
