3 days Ago
WASHINGTON: Popular TikTok videos on ADHD are laced with misinformation, according to new research that has found inaccurate claims in about half of top 100 most-watched TikTok videos about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The study, published in the journal PLOS One in March, found that young people (particularly those with self-diagnosed ADHD) significantly overestimate the prevalence of the condition in the population. They often also feel encouraged by TikTok videos to believe they have ADHD themselves.
ADHD is associated with a disrupted dopamine metabolism in the brain, typically beginning in childhood. Research suggests that genetics play the most significant role in its development. The condition is characterised by three primary symptoms: inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity, which can manifest in varying degrees and combinations.
Early signs of ADHD can appear in toddlers, but the symptoms typically become more apparent around the ages of five or six. 2% to 3% of people have ADHD Medical experts estimate that ADHD consistently affects 2% to 3% of the population. While the prevalence of the disorder has not increased, public awareness appears to be growing, as evidenced by the rising number of online self-tests and the popularity of hashtags like #ADHD, which is among the ten most-used health-related tags on TikTok.
The research team led by Vasileia Karasavva from the University of British Columbia focused on 98 particularly popular TikTok videos about ADHD. These videos, averaging about 40 seconds in length, were watched nearly half a billion times altogether, the researchers say. All were in English, with half of the creators promoting products such as workbooks, fidget spinners or coaching services, and some soliciting donations.
Often misleading, rarely helpful Two psychologists assessed the videos for accuracy, finding 52% to be misleading and only 21% to be helpful. None were deemed universally recommendable. Most videos focused solely on ADHD symptoms, such as "My ADHD makes me do this," without addressing treatment options.
Over half of the symptom descriptions were considered unrelated to ADHD by the psychologists, often reflecting normal human experiences or symptoms of other conditions. In a second experiment, over 800 students aged 18 to 25 were shown the five best and worst-rated videos from the initial analysis. Participants with self-diagnosed ADHD significantly overestimated the condition's prevalence in the population, believing it affected 33% of people.
The videos further reinforced their belief that they had ADHD. Kathrin Karsay from the University of Vienna, who was not involved in the study, said that social media algorithms favour entertaining or emotional posts that drive interaction, often at the expense of accuracy. She suggested that more content from professionals is needed on platforms like TikTok to meet the high demand for reliable information.
– dpa.
