Research Shows TikTok ADHD Content Lacks Accuracy

Study Finds TikTok ADHD Videos Frequently Contain Misinformation

A recent study has found that a significant portion of ADHD-related videos on TikTok contain misleading or inaccurate information, making it difficult for viewers to identify trustworthy content.

Many ADHD Videos Do Not Align with Medical Standards

The study, published in PLOS One on March 19, examined the most popular ADHD videos on TikTok and found that fewer than half provided information that matched professional diagnostic guidelines or treatment recommendations.

Even participants who had been diagnosed with ADHD struggled to distinguish between accurate and misleading content. Additionally, about 50% of the creators studied were promoting ADHD-related products or coaching services, despite none of them being licensed mental health professionals.

Concerns About Self-Diagnosis and Oversimplified Symptoms

According to lead researcher Vasileia Karasavva, a doctoral student in clinical psychology at the University of British Columbia, ADHD content on TikTok often lacks context. She noted that while videos frequently highlight symptoms such as difficulty focusing, they rarely mention that these could also be associated with conditions like depression or anxiety.

“Our goal is not to discourage people from sharing their experiences,” Karasavva said. “However, self-diagnosing based on misleading information can prevent people from getting the right treatment.”

This study aligns with similar findings from 2022, which also concluded that half of the ADHD-related videos on TikTok contained misinformation.

TikTok ’s Algorithm and Public Misconceptions About ADHD

Researchers reviewed the 100 most-watched ADHD videos from January 2023, with two licensed clinical psychologists assessing their accuracy based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). If a video’s claims were inconsistent with the DSM-5, the psychologists determined whether they aligned with another disorder or were simply a common experience unrelated to ADHD.

Over 840 undergraduate students also participated in rating the videos. Those who frequently engaged with ADHD content on TikTok were more likely to recommend both the most accurate and the most misleading videos, suggesting that repeated exposure affects perception of credibility.

Karasavva explained that TikTok’s recommendation system likely reinforces misinformation. “When you repeatedly see the same claims, it becomes easier to believe they must be true,” she said.

The study also found that many participants significantly overestimated ADHD’s prevalence, further highlighting the impact of social media misinformation.

Margaret Sibley, a psychiatry professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine, cautioned that TikTok’s algorithm can amplify misleading voices. “The loudest voices often gain the most visibility, even if they don’t present the full picture of ADHD,” she said.

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