Teens’ TikTok Self-Diagnoses Alarm Experts
Mental health content thrives on TikTok and other social platforms—but so does misinformation. Psychologists say teenagers increasingly self-diagnose conditions like ADHD, OCD, or multiple personality disorders after viewing brief, oversimplified videos. Many creators aren’t qualified professionals, and some even sell products or services linked to the diagnoses they promote. Studies reveal up to half of top-viewed mental health videos on TikTok contain inaccuracies, potentially leading teens to adopt unwarranted labels or miss correct diagnoses. Healthcare providers worry that while the platform can foster community, it also trivializes serious conditions, emphasizing that professional evaluation remains crucial.
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Key Entities
- • TikTok: A short-form video platform with over a billion users worldwide, featuring trending hashtags and quick “edutainment.”
- • ADHD, OCD, Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID): Commonly cited conditions in viral videos, often oversimplified.
- • Licensed Therapists & Psychologists: Provide structured assessments and personalized diagnoses, contrasting with one-size-fits-all social content.
- • Parents & Educators: The frontline for guiding teens toward validated health information and professional care.
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