[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”|auto||80px||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.2″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Did the algorithm \u201cdiagnose\u201d you with autism, ADHD, etc.?<\/span><\/p>\n You are not the only one whose \u201cfor you page\u201d is suddenly flooded with short form videos about everything from mould toxicity to autism – that may or may not feel uncannily relatable. <\/span><\/p>\n The videos often claim things like: \u201cDid you know that sleeping with the TV on is actually an ADHD trait?\u201d. <\/span><\/p>\n It is easy to dismiss the claims presented by short videos as misinformation leading people astray. But at the same time social media fills a large gap of missing information about what life is actually like if you are an adult with autism and\/or ADHD. <\/span><\/p>\n But how can you tell what is right and what is wrong? In this insight you get advice on how to tell useful information apart from nonsense and thinly veiled advertising. <\/span><\/p>\n People suffer from poor mental health all over the planet. It is often difficult or impossible to get access to proper treatment. Instead, people turn to social media as a way to get help, community and – more often than not – simply an explanation to their suffering. <\/span><\/p>\n The most obvious – and in many ways the biggest – problem with social media is that no one is fact checking. You risk getting information that is completely false. <\/span><\/p>\n Misinformation is obviously a problem in and of itself. <\/span><\/p>\n But more often than not, the misinformation is used to sell you a service or a product. <\/span><\/p>\n Social media about mental health is often either false information – or facts that have been way oversimplified. A scientific study of TikTok videos about ADHD<\/a> revealed that about half of them contained misinformation or oversimplifications.<\/span><\/p>\n Is your TV on while you sleep? Or do you flinch when hearing a small sound? These quirks are sometimes presented as \u201csigns\u201d that you have this or that disorder or neurodivergence. It might be a smaller part of a large puzzle piece pointing to you having ADHD or PTSD. Or it might simply be just that, a quirk. The problem is a lack of nuance and expertise from the sources. Which is why it is very important that you take these nuggets of information with a grain of salt and do proper research if you suspect you might be neurodivergent. <\/span><\/p>\n Unfortunately, even seemingly trustworthy sources sometimes sell you oversimplified or downright unscientific information. A noteworthy example is Dr. Amen, a very popular psychiatrist in the US, who purports that there are \u201c7 types of ADHD\u201d<\/a>. A claim not supported by scientific studies.<\/a> Despite this, you can find several tests online that claim to show you which of the 7 types of ADHD you have. And Dr. Amen has a large following on social media. <\/span><\/p>\n In conclusion, it is vital that you use scepticism and seek out information from several different sources – and compare this information to scientific literature and diagnostic criteria. <\/span><\/p>\n Dr. Amen is just one of many people and companies turning a profit while seemingly helping people. Social media is full of people who target their products and services towards people with poor mental health. Some things might be helpful, a lot of them are not. <\/span><\/p>\n It might be actual products like magnetic bracelets, essential oils or dietary supplements. <\/span><\/p>\nWhy is mental health trending on social media?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Why is social media filled with so much misinformation?<\/span><\/h3>\n
Misinformation is ubiquitous<\/span><\/h3>\n
Neurodivergent or just quirky?<\/span><\/h3>\n
Need to be sceptical about popular sources<\/span><\/h3>\n
What are they selling you?<\/span><\/h2>\n
What exactly are they trying to sell?<\/span><\/h3>\n