Study explores why teens self-diagnose mental health issues through TikTok content

New research looks at the psychological factors, including identity and belonging, that lead teens to self-diagnose their mental health issues after viewing TikTok content, providing new insights into this growing trend.

Study: Self-diagnosis inspired by TikTok and its implications for the practice of educational psychology. Image Credit: PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock.com

In a recent review article published in Educational psychology in practiceResearchers have explored the phenomenon of young people self-diagnosing themselves with mental health or neurodevelopmental issues after interacting with social media content.

Their findings highlight the complex reasons for self-diagnosis and the systemic barriers that limit access to adequate support for young people.

Self-diagnosis on social media applications

As of 2021, a popular social media app with 1.7 billion users that allows users to interact with short videos has appeared in the news as young people use its content to self-diagnose mental health issues . Self-diagnosis involves identifying with health problems without a professional diagnosis.

App content has been shown to influence self-diagnosis, particularly for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism. The algorithms used by the platform personalize content, potentially creating echo chambers and reinforcing existing beliefs through confirmation bias.

However, content about mental health and neurodiversity on social media varies in accuracy, with many videos spreading misinformation. Overly generalized or inaccurate content can mislead users about mental health issues, or idealize or glorify neurodiversity, thereby downplaying real challenges.

Researchers are concerned about the effects of misleading or incorrect information on young people. While some argue that the trend toward self-diagnosis results from misunderstandings and social contagion, others note that it ignores systemic barriers to health care and natural identity exploration during adolescence.

Why do young people self-diagnose?

From a neuroscience perspective, adolescents tend to value the opinions of their peers, such as those they interact with on social media, more than those of adults. Risky behaviors also increase during adolescence as the brain develops.

Adolescents may have poorer risk assessment skills but an increased response to rewards in the form of social approval, such as “likes” or “comments” on social media.

Theories of psychosocial development note that adolescence is a time when identity is formed by exploring different roles, with confusion arising if exploration is limited.

Social media provides platforms where young people can experiment with their identity and receive feedback that shapes this project. Movements like neurodiversity, which celebrate neurological differences, influence modern identity development.

Teenagers may also use social media content to compare themselves to others and sort themselves into social groups. As they become involved in these groups, membership provides them with a sense of identity and support. Young people may fear being “disconfirmed” by health professionals, which could discourage them from seeking a formal diagnosis.

While adolescents want to belong to social groups, they also want to be unique. One theory says that identifying with mental health or neurodivergent issues can provide a balance between uniqueness and belonging, with social media amplifying these desires since users can gain attention through these identities.

Identity theory notes that identity is linked to roles. Once a role is established, individuals may feel obligated to maintain it, and social media may make self-disclosure more permanent, thereby reducing the flexibility young people have to explore or change roles.

Many teens first explore their identity online before discussing it with close family or friends, because social interactions shape their identity.

Reducing stigma towards mental health can be beneficial, leading to more self-diagnosis and positive societal changes as acceptance and awareness of mental health issues increases. However, negative portrayals of self-diagnosis in the media can increase stigma.

Systemic and financial barriers to diagnosis

In response to a media article about the “self-diagnosis trend”, a well-known autistic social media personality argued that the increase in autism and ADHD diagnoses could be attributed to improved diagnostic accuracy and better awareness. In the comments, many people shared their personal experiences about systemic and financial barriers to formal diagnosis.

In the UK, waiting lists can delay the diagnosis of conditions like ADHD and autism, with waiting times ranging from 40 weeks to two years. Referrals for children and adolescents can take up to four years. However, many people cannot afford private health care, leaving them dependent on long waiting times for public health care.

In the United States, black children are more likely to be misdiagnosed than white children because they are told they have conduct disorder rather than ADHD. It is also well documented that girls are diagnosed with ADHD and autism later than boys, and often less accurately.

There are also effective barriers, as distrust of health care and fear of stigma can prevent young people from seeking help. Young people may avoid diagnosis, fearing that it will make no difference to their situation or constitute a traumatic experience.

Conclusions

Misleading and inaccurate mental health content on social media can be harmful to young people, highlighting the need for more credentialed professionals on these platforms to counterbalance misinformation.

Self-diagnosis can arise from limited access to formal health care and provide support and community. Further research into self-diagnosis is essential and should incorporate the perspectives of young people, parents and school staff.