Study Highlights Misinformation in TikTok ADHD Videos

Study Reveals TikTok ADHD Content is Often Misleading

A new study has found that many ADHD-related videos on TikTok contain inaccurate or misleading information, making it difficult for users to differentiate between factual and unreliable content.

Many TikTok ADHD Videos Lack Medical Accuracy

Published in PLOS One on March 19, the study analyzed some of the most popular TikTok videos about ADHD. The findings revealed that fewer than half of these videos provided information aligned with professional diagnostic guidelines or treatment recommendations.

Even individuals diagnosed with ADHD struggled to determine which videos were accurate. Furthermore, about 50% of the content creators examined were using their platforms to promote ADHD-related products or coaching services, but none were certified mental health professionals.

Oversimplification of Symptoms and the Risk of Self-Diagnosis

Lead researcher Vasileia Karasavva, a doctoral student at the University of British Columbia, noted that ADHD symptoms are often presented without sufficient context on TikTok. For example, difficulties with focus—commonly highlighted in videos—are rarely explained as symptoms that can also stem from anxiety, depression, or other conditions.

“We want to encourage people to share their experiences,” Karasavva stated. “But if someone self-diagnoses based on incomplete or misleading information, they may not seek the right help for their actual condition.”

These findings echo a 2022 study that also found 50% of ADHD-related TikTok videos to be misleading.

The Influence of TikTok ’s Algorithm on Perception of ADHD

To conduct their research, scientists reviewed the 100 most-viewed ADHD TikTok videos from January 2023. Two licensed clinical psychologists assessed the accuracy of the content using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which serves as the standard guide for diagnosing mental health conditions. If a video’s claims did not align with the DSM-5, the psychologists evaluated whether the described symptoms were more reflective of another disorder or common human experiences.

Additionally, over 840 undergraduate students were surveyed to rate the videos. The study found that participants who frequently watched ADHD-related content on TikTok were more likely to recommend both the most credible and the most misleading videos—suggesting that repeated exposure to certain narratives influences how people judge credibility.

Karasavva pointed out that TikTok’s algorithm plays a significant role in reinforcing misinformation. “When you repeatedly see the same message across multiple videos, it becomes easier to assume that it must be true,” she explained.

Furthermore, the study highlighted that many participants significantly overestimated the prevalence of ADHD, indicating how social media content can distort public perception.

Margaret Sibley, a psychiatry professor at the University of Washington, warned that TikTok’s algorithm often amplifies certain voices, regardless of their accuracy. “The most engaging content isn’t always the most factual, and that can lead to widespread misconceptions about ADHD,” she said.

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