More than half of top 100 mental health TikToks contain misinformation, study finds

More than half of all the top trending videos offering mental health advice on TikTok contain misinformation, according to a recent investigation by The Guardian. The findings raise serious concerns about the quality of information available to vulnerable individuals seeking support online.

The investigation analyzed the top 100 videos posted under the #mentalhealthtips hashtag on TikTok and shared them with a panel of psychologists, psychiatrists, and academic experts for review. The results revealed that 52 of these videos contained some form of misinformation related to trauma, neurodivergence, anxiety, depression, and severe mental illness. Many other videos were deemed vague or unhelpful.

As more people turn to social media platforms for mental health support, they are increasingly exposed to questionable advice from influencers. Examples include recommendations to eat an orange in the shower to reduce anxiety, promotions of supplements with limited evidence such as saffron and magnesium glycinate, claims about healing trauma within an hour, and content that mischaracterizes normal emotional experiences as signs of borderline personality disorder or abuse.

David Okai, a consultant neuropsychiatrist and researcher at King’s College London who reviewed anxiety and depression-related videos, noted that many posts misused therapeutic language. “They use wellbeing, anxiety, and mental disorder interchangeably, which can lead to confusion about what mental illness actually entails,” he explained. Okai added that many videos offered general advice based on narrow personal experience that “may not be universally applicable.”

Dan Poulter, a former health minister and NHS psychiatrist, expressed concern about videos that “pathologise everyday experiences and emotions, suggesting that they equate to a diagnosis of serious mental illness.” He warned that such content provides misinformation to impressionable viewers while trivializing the experiences of those living with serious mental health conditions.

Psychologist Amber Johnston, who assessed trauma-related videos, pointed out that most contained “a nugget of truth” but oversimplified complex conditions. “Each video suggests that everyone has the same experience of PTSD with similar symptoms that can easily be explained in a 30-second reel,” she said. “The truth is that PTSD and trauma symptoms are highly individual experiences that require a trained and accredited clinician to help a person understand.”

The proliferation of mental health misinformation on social media has drawn attention from lawmakers. Chi Onwurah, a Labour MP who chairs a technology committee investigating misinformation, highlighted “significant concerns” about the effectiveness of the Online Safety Act in addressing harmful content. “Content recommender systems used by platforms like TikTok have been found to amplify potentially harmful misinformation,” she stated, calling for urgent action to address shortcomings in the legislation.

Liberal Democrat MP Victoria Collins described the findings as “damning” and urged government intervention to protect people from harmful misinformation. Similarly, Paulette Hamilton, acting chair of the health and social care select committee, emphasized that social media “tips” should not replace professional support.

Professor Bernadka Dubicka, online safety lead for the Royal College of Psychiatrists, acknowledged that while social media can raise awareness, it’s crucial for people to access evidence-based information from trusted sources. She stressed that mental illness can only be diagnosed through “comprehensive assessment from a qualified mental health professional.”

TikTok defended its platform, stating it is “a place where millions of people express themselves, come to share their authentic mental health journeys, and find a supportive community.” A spokesperson criticized the methodology of the study, saying it “opposes free expression and suggests that people should not be allowed to share their own stories.” The company claimed it works with health experts at the World Health Organization and NHS to promote reliable information and removes harmful misinformation.

The UK government responded that it is “taking action to reduce the impact of harmful mis- and disinformation content online” through the Online Safety Act, which requires platforms to tackle illegal content or material harmful to children.

As the debate continues, experts emphasize the importance of seeking professional help for mental health concerns rather than relying solely on social media advice.