tiktok videos on adhd are misleading: ubc study

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researchers analyzed the 100 most-viewed tiktok videos about adhd and report that fewer than half the claims about symptoms are correct, according to clinical guidelines for diagnosing the disorder.

by karen hawthorne

published mar 20, 2025

2 minute read

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2 minute read

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researchers analyzed the 100 most-viewed tiktok videos about adhd and report that fewer than half the claims about symptoms are correct, according to clinical guidelines for diagnosing the disorder.

adhd is characterized by hyperactivity and impaired executive functions like time management and self-regulation. getty images

healthcare professionals worry about misinformation on health conditions and treatment flooding social media channels, misleading people and holding them back from getting proper care.

now researchers at the university of british columbia (ubc) have found that the most popular content related to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (adhd) on tiktok often does not match the views of mental health professionals. they analyzed the 100 most-viewed tiktok videos about adhd and report that fewer than half the claims about symptoms are correct, according to clinical guidelines for diagnosing the disorder.

“tiktok can be an incredible tool for raising awareness and reducing stigma, but it also has a downside,” vasileia karasavva, phd student in clinical psychology and lead author of the study told ubc news. the study was published in plos one, sparking reaction on social media and news outlets. “anecdotes and personal experiences are powerful, but when they lack context, they can lead to misunderstandings about adhd and mental health in general.”

the tiktok videos shared personal experiences of adhd, but didn’t clarify that symptoms don’t apply to everyone with the disorder and could happen to people who don’t have adhd. this leads to misinterpretations regarding symptoms and incorrect self-diagnosis.

what is adhd? tiktok videos don’t align with clinical guidelines

according to the centre for adhd awareness canada, adhd is a chronic neurodevelopmental disorder that affects five to nine per cent of children and three to five per cent of adults. it’s the most common neurodevelopmental disorder in children and doesn’t discriminate, impacting people from all ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds. the disorder is also highly hereditary. it’s characterized by hyperactivity and impaired executive functions, affecting the following:

attention
organization and time management
self-regulation and self-monitoring
impulsivity
working memory
processing speed
emotional regulation

the centre also points out misconceptions about adhd, noting these facts:

adhd is not a behaviour disorder
adhd is not an illness or a disease
adhd is not only a childhood disorder
adhd is not due to bad parenting
adhd does not affect your intelligence
adhd is not caused by too much screen time
adhd is not caused by too much sugar

the ubc study revealed that the more adhd-related tiktok content watched by a young person, the more likely they are to overestimate the prevalence and severity of adhd symptoms in the general population. they were also more likely to share the videos with others, promoting wider reach of unreliable information.

mental health professionals called to provide expert content about adhd

how do we solve this? the researchers are calling for clinical psychologists and other mental health professionals to play a role in tiktok discussions around adhd by providing expert content. there is a need to counter misinformation and offer young people access to reliable resources.

“some young adults turn to tiktok because of access barriers, or negative experiences they have had with mental health professionals,” dr. amori mikami, a professor of psychology at ubc and the study’s senior author told ubc news. “it is also our responsibility to address equity gaps in who can see a psychologist.”

the takeaway here is the importance of seeking professional guidance if you’re concerned about your health. reach out to doctors, therapists or other mental health services for information on adhd.

karen hawthorne

karen hawthorne worked for six years as a digital editor for the national post, contributing articles on health, business, culture and travel for affiliated newspapers across canada. she now writes from her home office in toronto and takes breaks to bounce with her son on the backyard trampoline and walk bingo, her bull terrier.