Study Finds Over Half of ADHD TikTok Videos Contain Misinformation

More than half of videos about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) shared on TikTok contain misinformation, according to a comprehensive new study from the University of East Anglia.

The research, published in The Journal of Social Media Research, reveals that social media platforms are “awash” with misleading or unsubstantiated mental health content, with TikTok showing the highest rates of inaccurate information.

Researchers analyzed over 5,000 social media posts covering various mental health topics including autism, ADHD, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, eating disorders, OCD, anxiety, and phobias. The team examined content across major platforms including TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter).

The findings paint a concerning picture of mental health information online. On TikTok specifically, 52 percent of ADHD-related videos and 41 percent of autism videos contained inaccurate information. This represents the highest misinformation rate among all platforms studied.

“Our work uncovered misinformation rates on social media as high as 56 percent,” said Dr. Eleanor Chatburn from UEA’s Norwich Medical School. “This highlights how easily engaging videos can spread widely online, even when the information isn’t always accurate.”

The study marks the first comprehensive review of mental health and neurodivergence information across multiple social media platforms. The researchers found that YouTube averaged 22 percent misinformation, while Facebook fared somewhat better with just under 15 percent inaccurate content.

Content related to neurodivergent conditions like autism and ADHD consistently showed higher levels of misinformation than many other mental health topics. This is particularly concerning as these conditions have seen increased public awareness and discussion in recent years.

The potential consequences of such widespread misinformation are significant, according to the research team. Dr. Chatburn warned that misinformation can lead to misunderstanding of serious conditions, inappropriate self-diagnosis, delayed proper diagnosis, and the pathologizing of ordinary behaviors.

“When false ideas spread, they can feed stigma and make people less likely to reach out for support when they really need it,” Dr. Chatburn explained. “It can also make mental illness seem scary or hopeless, which creates even more fear and misunderstanding.”

The researchers noted that content created by healthcare professionals was consistently more accurate, but these professional voices represent only a small proportion of mental health content circulating on these platforms.

In response to the study’s findings, TikTok disputed the research, calling it “flawed” and claiming it relies on outdated information. A TikTok spokesperson stated, “The facts are that we remove harmful health misinformation and provide access to reliable information from the WHO, so that our community can express themselves about what matters to them and find support.”

The company highlighted its UK Clinician Creator Network, a group of 19 NHS-qualified clinicians who share medical expertise with over 2.2 million followers on the platform.

YouTube also responded to the findings, with a spokesperson saying, “We work with licensed medical and mental health experts to make it easier for people to find trusted health information on YouTube. We also have specific protections in place for teens, remove harmful medical misinformation, and age-restrict content that isn’t appropriate for younger audiences.”

The research team is calling for improved measures to address the issue, including better content moderation by platforms, standardized tools for assessing online mental health information, clearer definitions of misinformation, and more evidence-based content from health organizations and clinicians.

As social media continues to serve as a primary source of information for many young people seeking to understand mental health issues, the prevalence of misinformation represents a growing public health concern that requires coordinated action from platforms, healthcare professionals, and regulatory bodies.