What Social Media Gets Right and Wrong About ADHD
A recent study published in PLOS One sheds light on the influence of ADHD-related content on TikTok. The article, "A Double-Edged Hashtag: Evaluation of #ADHD-related TikTok Content and Its Associations with Perceptions of ADHD," examines how TikTok shapes public perceptions of ADHD and the risks of misinformation.
With Gen Z (64%) and Millennials (49%) citing TikTok as a primary source of information, it’s crucial to understand how content on the platform affects public understanding of mental health. Social media can be an accessible tool for learning, but it’s also a major source of misinformation, especially when it comes to health and science.
How TikTok Shapes ADHD Awareness
The study focused on two main aspects:
1️⃣ How ADHD information is presented, accessed, and evaluated on TikTok
2️⃣ How this content influences viewers' perceptions of ADHD
While social media has the potential to spread awareness, the study found significant risks related to misinformation, self-diagnosis, and overgeneralization of symptoms.
The Study Breakdown
The research was conducted in two phases:
Content Analysis of #ADHD TikTok Videos
Researchers analyzed the top 100 most popular videos under the hashtag #ADHD, assessing them based on likes and engagement. Clinical psychologists then evaluated these videos for accuracy, educational value, and whether they aligned with official ADHD diagnostic criteria (DSM-5).
The results were concerning. Less than half of the videos contained scientifically accurate information, and 93.9% of videos did not reference any source for their claims. Even more alarming, only 20.4% of creators shared their credentials. Of those who did:
83.6% cited lived experience as their qualification.
13.1% were life coaches.
1.6% were therapists or counselors, though they did not specify their license status.
1.6% were licensed at the MA level (e.g., licensed clinical social workers or marriage and family therapists).
None were licensed at the PhD, PsyD, or MD level (e.g., clinical psychologists or psychiatrists).
2. Survey of TikTok Users' Perceptions of ADHD
In the second phase, 843 undergraduate students were surveyed about their ADHD-related TikTok consumption. The findings revealed that frequent exposure to ADHD TikTok content led to overestimation of the disorder’s prevalence and severity. Many participants were more likely to self-diagnose or misinterpret normal behaviors as ADHD symptoms.
The study also found a confirmation bias effect, where users were more likely to trust and share content that aligned with their pre-existing beliefs, regardless of its accuracy.
The Double-Edged Sword of ADHD Content on Social Media
Social media has both benefits and risks when it comes to ADHD awareness.
On the positive side, TikTok has helped normalize conversations about ADHD, reduce stigma, validate lived experiences, and create accessible communities for those seeking support. Additionally, some individuals may recognize symptoms and seek professional help because of ADHD-related content.
However, the downsides are significant. Many ADHD TikTok videos oversimplify or exaggerate symptoms, leading to widespread misinformation. Because ADHD symptoms overlap with other conditions—such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD—self-diagnosis can result in people misunderstanding their mental health needs. Additionally, many ADHD symptoms are shared human experiences (like forgetfulness or losing focus), which can lead to the over-pathologizing of normal behaviors.
Another major issue is TikTok’s engagement-driven algorithm. The platform prioritizes entertaining and relatable content over scientifically accurate information, meaning misleading videos often go viral while accurate information remains buried.
Why Is Misinformation So Common?
Several factors contribute to the spread of ADHD misinformation on social media.
First, there’s the Echo-Chamber Effect—when users repeatedly see content that aligns with their beliefs, they begin to perceive it as more credible and are more likely to share it. This reinforces misconceptions and makes it harder for accurate information to gain traction.
Second, there’s no fact-checking or vetting process for mental health content on TikTok, allowing misinformation to spread unchecked. Many of the most popular ADHD-related claims on social media are based solely on personal experience rather than scientific evidence.
Lastly, ADHD symptoms are often overgeneralized, making it easy for people to see themselves in TikTok videos and assume they have the disorder. While lived experience is valuable, it should not replace professional diagnosis and medical expertise.
What Can We Do About It?
For Mental Health Professionals:
Engage with social media—Accurate, evidence-based ADHD content needs to compete with viral misinformation.
Fill the information gap—Many influencers discuss ADHD because there weren’t enough professionals making content in an accessible way.
For Social Media Users:
Be a critical consumer—Just because a video is relatable doesn’t mean it’s accurate.
Seek professional guidance—Don’t rely solely on social media for mental health advice.
For Social Media Platforms:
Prioritize fact-checking—Algorithms should boost medically accurate content rather than favoring engagement-driven misinformation.
Final Thoughts
This study highlights that TikTok is both a valuable tool and a source of risk when it comes to ADHD awareness. While it helps start conversations, reduce stigma, and build community, the spread of misleading content can lead to self-diagnosis, misinformation, and pathologizing normal behaviors.
If you're looking for ADHD information, don’t rely solely on TikTok. Instead, seek guidance from qualified mental health professionals and reputable sources to ensure accuracy.
If you’d like to do a deeper dive, the article can be found here: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0319335