HQ Team
March 22, 2025: Social media misinformation, especially regarding mental health issues, is a rising problem. Platforms like YouTube and TikTok attract billions of visitors, some of whom use them as self-diagnosis tools.
Nearly 2.5 billion users visit YouTube every month, and 1.8 billion monthly users spend an average of 95 minutes daily on TikTok. These platforms have become a go-to hub for entertainment, education, and community.
Pew Research Center reports that 80% of adults search for health information online, with YouTube being a top source. But when it comes to health information—especially about complex conditions like ADHD—their reliability is under fire. A study from the University of British Columbia (UBC) warns that viral ADHD content on TikTok is rife with inaccuracies, risking public understanding and care.
Personal anecdotes
Researchers analyzed the 100 most-viewed TikTok videos tagged #ADHD, collectively amassing nearly 500 million views. Shockingly, fewer than half aligned with professional diagnostic criteria. Most posts centered on personal experiences, oversimplifying symptoms and ignoring critical nuances, such as how ADHD manifests differently across individuals.
“TikTok can raise awareness and reduce stigma, but unchecked anecdotes can mislead,” says lead researcher and UBC clinical psychologist Vasileia Karasavva. “Without context, these videos risk distorting perceptions of ADHD—and mental health broadly.”
The team tested the disconnect between expert and public perceptions. Ten videos—five deemed “most accurate” and five “least accurate” by psychologists—were shown to 843 psychology undergraduates. While experts gave the top videos an average accuracy score of 3.6/5, students rated them just 2.8. The least accurate clips scored 1.1 from experts but 2.3 from students, highlighting a troubling trust gap.
Worse, students who consumed more ADHD content were likelier to share it and overestimate ADHD’s prevalence—a pattern seen in misinformation about autism and other conditions on social media.
The algorithm’s role in spreading myths
The study underscores how platforms like TikTok reward engagement over accuracy. Creators often prioritize relatability and humor, sidelining evidence-based information. This fuels a cycle where misleading content gains traction, while expert voices struggle to compete.
“Young adults turn to TikTok due to access barriers or negative experiences with healthcare systems,” explains UBC psychology professor Amori Mikami. “But when personal stories overshadow science, it jeopardizes care.”
Consequences of crowdsourced care
Misinformation isn’t harmless. A 2023 JMIR study linked social media self-diagnosis to overdiagnosing, delayed treatment an sometimes trivialization.
A 2022 study in JMIR Mental Health analyzed 300 YouTube videos about autism. Researchers found that 44% contained inaccuracies or oversimplified symptoms.
The researchers aren’t dismissing TikTok’s value—its ability to build communities and destigmatize mental health is unparalleled. However, they urge platforms to amplify credible creators, such as clinicians and advocates, while encouraging users to cross-check claims with reputable sources like peer-reviewed studies or medical organizations.
ADHD isn’t alone. Similar studies have flagged misinformation about autism, anxiety, and depression on social media, where oversimplified “symptoms” go viral (e.g., “autistic traits” like disliking loud noises). Without nuance, such content can lead to self-diagnosis errors or trivialize serious conditions.
A 2023 American Psychological Association (APA) survey found 55% of Gen Z and 45% of millennials use social media to research mental health symptoms. As TikTok evolves into a primary information source for Gen Z, the study serves as a critical reminder: approach viral health content with skepticism. True mental health literacy requires balancing personal stories with professional insights—and knowing when to log off and consult an expert.
For reliable mental health resources, visit organizations like CHADD (Children and Adults with ADHD) or the National Institute of Mental Health.