A team led by researchers from the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada found that of the top 100 most-viewed TikTok videos tagged for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) content, fewer than half matched the professional diagnostic criteria for the condition.
The videos – which had collectively racked up nearly half a billion views in total – were largely based on personal experience and opinion. They often missed the nuances of ADHD, such as the way symptoms can differ between people.
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The implications are clear: there’s a significant gap between expert opinions on TikTok’s ADHD videos and those of casual viewers. Such potential for misinformation could interfere with the public’s understanding of the condition, which could affect how many are diagnosed and treated.
“Our findings highlight a discrepancy between mental health professionals and young adults regarding the psychoeducational value of ADHD content on TikTok,” write the researchers in their published paper.
“Addressing this is crucial to improving access to treatment and enhancing support for those with ADHD.”