In recent years, social media platforms such as Tiktok have become a central space for information, entertainment and social interaction. However, a new analysis by Tiktok gives concern about the impact of the app on the understanding of teenagers on mental health, in particular with regard to attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Parents watch out, because this new teen trend may be falsely diagnoses your teenager with ADHD.
ADHD is a neurological disorder that is characterized by symptoms such as inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. It affects millions of children and adults worldwide, and its diagnosis requires careful evaluation by medical professionals. With the rise of the “mental health” content of Tiktok, however, an increasing number of teenagers turn to the app to seek answers to their questions about ADHD. Although some content can offer valuable insights, much of it is based on generalized or incorrect information, which leads to misconceptions.
“Self -diagnosis is a risky dilemma that goes around social media,” said Charles Sweet, MD, MPH, a psychiatrist and medical adviser for Linear Health in a recent interview with Parents.com. ‘[People can] Convince themselves that they have ADHD or another condition without the opinion of a good doctor. A child can go underlying fear, trauma or simply through puberty. On the other hand, children who have ADHD can watch these videos and reject their symptoms because they do not match what Tiktok shows. “
A study conducted by experts in mental health care analyzed a sample of Tiktok videos with regard to ADHD, aimed at content that resulted in a high involvement of users. Many videos simplified the symptoms of ADHD or presented inaccurate information, which often promote self -diagnosis. This trend is particularly alarming considering the wide range of the app at adolescents. The Tiktok algorithm ensures that popular videos appear on the ‘users’ ‘pages for you’, so that teenagers are exposed to potentially misleading or harmful content.
“Psychiatric diagnoses can be nuanced and much of the training to be a psychologist, emphasizes heavily the ability to distinguish between overlapping circumstances,” has Daniel Huy, Psyd, a child psychologist with Hackensack University Medical Center on the outlet. “Self-diagnoses based on social media can be risky for several reasons, and it leads to over-pathology and potential stigma of what an expert could consider benign and benign.”
A common problem with the use of these videos on TIKTOK for diagnosis is that they often use personal anecdotes or humorous skits to display ADHD symptoms that can trivialize the condition. These videos can emphasize certain characteristics, such as forgetfulness or restlessness, which are sometimes wrongly associated with ADHD. The lack of context about the complexity of ADHD symptoms can cause teenagers to have the condition, without fully understanding the clinical criteria needed for an accurate diagnosis.
Even than ever, professionals in mental health care increasingly warn about the dangers of self -diagnosis, in particular through social media. Although online communities can offer support, they are not allowed to replace professional evaluations.
If you are worried that you or your teenager are worried that they may have ADHD, it is important to remember to consult a doctor. According to the CDC, there is no test that can be given to diagnose ADHD, especially not from Tiktok.
