Popular TikTok videos about ADHD are full of misinformation, new research warns
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Researchers warn TikToks are leading to major confusion about ADHD
Researchers warn TikToks are leading to major confusion about ADHD
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TikTok is full of tips and personal stories about ADHD, but what you're seeing might not be the full picture.
A new study has revealed that more than half of the claims on TikTok about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) don't line up with clinical guidelines, and this misinformation is shaping what young people understand about the disorder.
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The study, conducted by researchers at the University of British Columbia, Canada, looked at the 100 most-viewed ADHD videos on TikTok under the hashtag #ADHD, and found that many creators shared personal anecdotes without explaining that their experiences might not reflect the reality for everyone with ADHD.
Researchers warn this is leading to major confusion, especially among young adults who are turning to TikTok for information instead of seeking help from professionals.
a view of the app for TikTok on a phone screen
Researchers analysed TikTok videos under the hashtag #ADHD
The authors of the study even found a troubling pattern: the more ADHD TikTok content a young person consumes, the more likely they are to overestimate both the prevalence and severity of ADHD symptoms in the population. Even worse, they often rated misinformation-filled videos higher than more accurate ones.
Accuracy, nuance and overall quality of the videos was rated by two clinical psychologists, who gave them a rating out of five. Even their most accurate-rated videos only achieved a score of 3.6 out of five, whereas the least reliable videos were given a score of 1.1.
"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 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."
Teenager sending email from smart phone in her bed
The findings highlight how TikTok can warp perceptions, especially in young people
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that causes things like attention problems, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. It is believed to affect up to seven per cent of adults across the globe, according to a 2021 study.
The stark findings highlight how TikTok can warp perceptions, with the authors emphasising social media is not a substitute for expert advice. However, the authors acknowledge that young people seeking information about ADHD on TikTok is likely due to barriers to professional help.
“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.”
The authors recommend that anyone struggling with ADHD symptoms should cross-check TikTok information with trusted medical resources and, most importantly, consult a doctor or therapist.
Woman holding phone
Anyone struggling with ADHD symptoms should fact check TikTok information using trusted medical resources
In children and teens, ADHD is typically characterised by inattentiveness, hyperactivity or impulsiveness – or all three of these types of behaviour. According to the NHS, some of the symptoms associated with ADHD in adults include:
Carelessness and lack of attention to detail
Frequently starting new tasks before finishing old ones
Poor organisational skills
Inability to focus or prioritise
Frequently losing or misplacing things
Forgetfulness
Restlessness
Difficulty keeping quiet and often interrupting others
Experts not involved in the research have commented on the study. One scientist says "misinformation" about ADHD symptoms in the videos is not necessarily "wrong" but instead could reflect common parts of the lived experience with ADHD that aren't recognised in clinical guidelines.
Young Girl In Bedroom
The NHS says ADHD is characterised by inattentiveness, hyperactivity or impulsiveness in children and teens
"The other symptoms may not all be ‘incorrect’ but just not specific to ADHD," explains Prof Philip Asherson, Emeritus Professor of Neurodevelopmental Psychiatry at King’s College London.
"However, it is possible that this could lead some people to think they might have ADHD unless they also consider the full diagnostic criteria for ADHD."
Prof Asherson also warns that many ADHD are common in much of the general population. “Many people who do not meet full ADHD criteria may nevertheless struggle with some ADHD symptoms at times and seek information on better to manage this aspect of their lives. The videos are therefore of more general relevance than only adults meeting full ADHD criteria," he added.
The study was published in the journal PLOS One.