04 December 2025

By Emma Davidson

Since the rise of social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, there have been changes in the way people look at neurodivergence (the different ways in which brains can function). 

Teenagers and young adults are exposed to a variety of online content, with topics ranging from home cooked meals up to personal stories from people with rare diseases or disorders. Social media has become a platform of empowerment where people feel open to sharing their personal troubles and struggles. 

Online safe spaces and visibility have led to an increase in content about mental health, with one of the most talked about disorders being ADHD (Attention Deficit/ Hyperactive Disorder). Masses of ADHD content are being spilled into TikTok and Instagram’s algorithms and exposing many of their (largely very young) users to the symptoms and ways of the disorder. 

ADHD is in fact one of the more common neurobehavioral diagnoses; however, exposure to related content could lead people to over-analyze and start labeling themselves (seems familiar?). This is of course in no way harmful, but you can’t give yourself an ADHD (or any other) diagnosis after seeing a few minute-long videos on Instagram and TikTok. Many young people with concentration problems or high energy don’t even meet the criteria for ADHD because quite a few of the symptoms are also just universal human experiences that happen to all of us.

On the other hand, there have been more ADHD diagnoses (real ones, done by professionals) since its online presence thanks to the effect it has had on the broad public (or at least on some people): acceptance.

While ADHD seems to be the topic of the moment, you may relax and stop worrying about your untidy bedroom and the dirty dishes- you are just human, like all of us. 

Source

https://www.discovermagazine.com/adhd-diagnoses-seem-to-have-increased-on-the-internet-is-it-really-that-47881

Further Reading:

Eagle, T. and Ringland, K.E., 2023, "You Can't Possibly Have ADHD": Exploring Validation and Tensions around Diagnosis within Unbounded ADHD Social Media Communities, ASSETS.