© Mart Production
July 9, 2026
Christine Bürg & Marianne Waldenfels
A new study examines TikTok videos about ADHD, depression, and narcissism. A psychiatrist explains the risks of self-diagnosis
With
Prof. Dr. med. Andreas Menke
Find a DoctorSearch the network for suitable specialists and contact them directly
"ADHD is a superpower," "Narcissists are incapable of love," or "Spot ADHD in yourself in 30 seconds": claims like these rack up millions of views on TikTok and shape how many people understand mental illness.
A recent German study has now examined for the first time just how accurate this content actually is — with sobering results: only 19.2 percent of the videos analyzed were rated as factually correct.
Experts use the term "TikTok diagnoses" to describe the phenomenon of users believing they can identify mental illnesses such as ADHD, depression, autism, anxiety disorders, narcissism or post-traumatic stress disorder in themselves based on short social media videos.
Published in June 2026, the study was conducted by a research team from the University of Witten/Herdecke, LVR University Hospital Essen, the University of Duisburg-Essen, the University of Bielefeld, and Tokyo Medical and Dental University. The team analyzed 177 German-language TikTok videos, which together had accumulated more than 94 million views.
That enormous reach makes clear that this is no niche topic. For many young people, social media has become one of the primary sources of information about mental health.
The research team assessed the videos based on whether they portrayed mental illnesses in a professionally appropriate way, or whether they conveyed false, heavily simplified, or purely personal content with no medical basis.
"We expected to find problematic content," says Aaron Mroß, a research associate at the Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy II at UW/H, in a press release. "But the sheer number of videos spreading false information did surprise us."
The researchers frequently identified the following problems:
• Concentration problems as proof of ADHD: Videos frequently equate everyday difficulties with concentration directly with an ADHD diagnosis, even though such symptoms can have many different causes — from lack of sleep to stress.
• Narcissism rated worst: Not a single video on narcissistic personality disorder was rated as factually correct. Those affected were overwhelmingly portrayed in broad strokes as cold, manipulative, or incapable of relationships — a portrayal that does not reflect clinical reality.
A new study examines TikTok videos about ADHD, depression, and narcissism. A psychiatrist explains the risks of self-diagnosis
Christine Bürg & Marianne Waldenfels
With
Prof. Dr. med. Andreas Menke
"Feel good, live better" – In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Yvonne Ebel discusses herniated discs and knee osteoarthritis, exploring what can be achieved today without resorting to surgery.
Christine Bürg
An interview with
Dr. med. Yvonne Ebel
What are the most common reasons couples struggle to conceive? When is it time to seek medical help? Reproductive medicine specialist Dr. Bernd Lesoine explains fertility treatment, success rates and why men should be evaluated early
Christine Bürg & Marianne Waldenfels
A new US study found an unusually high rate of colon polyps among marathon and ultramarathon runners. What do the findings really mean, and should endurance athletes be concerned? A gastroenterologist explains.
Christine Bürg & Marianne Waldenfels
Carrot juice and coconut water are being hailed on TikTok as the secret to a natural summer glow. Beta-carotene can indeed alter skin tone — though not in the way many social media videos suggest. A dermatologist explains what the science actually shows.
Christine Bürg & Marianne Waldenfels
With
Dr. med. Timm Golüke
Artificial intelligence is taking over routine tasks and freeing up time for what truly matters: the relationship between doctor and patient. Prof. Dr. Dominik Pförringer explains why empathy is becoming the most important factor for success in medicine in the age of AI.
Prof. Dominik Pförringer
By
Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. Dominik Pförringer
• A clear quality gap by source: Content from doctors and psychotherapists was significantly more reliable and accurate than posts from self-proclaimed coaches or other laypeople, which were frequently poorly researched or misleading.
Prof. Dr. Andreas Menke, Medical Director and Chief Physician at Medical Park Chiemseeblick, offers a more nuanced view of the phenomenon than the study findings alone might suggest, drawing on his own inpatient practice. He regularly sees patients who have already done their own research online before their first appointment.
"Patients have some sense of what's going on, but they want an expert to put it into context. And that's actually not so bad. You don't have to start from scratch — you can begin from where the patient already is."
It becomes problematic, however, when patients bring false information or unrealistic expectations from social media. On questions of diagnosis or treatment options in particular, he often has to explain in conversation "why that doesn't quite fit" before real treatment can begin.
The study's authors explicitly warn against mental illnesses self-diagnosing on the basis of short social media videos. Misinformation can lead people to incorrectly assign themselves a particular diagnosis or to delay seeking necessary treatment.
From a psychiatric perspective, this reflects a well-known phenomenon: people often recognize themselves in descriptions that seem to capture their own experiences. That sense of recognition is understandable, but it says nothing about whether the suspected condition is actually present.
With mental disorders in particular, many symptoms overlap. Difficulty concentrating, for example, may point to ADHD, but it could equally indicate a depression, an anxiety disorder, sleep deprivation, or a temporary period of stress. Determining the actual cause requires a professional diagnostic process.
A short TikTok video is simply not capable of providing the necessary differential diagnosis. And emotionally compelling statements are particularly persuasive — which is precisely what makes them so problematic.
Prof. Menke notices a recurring pattern especially with depression: some patients want to believe their condition is "just" burnout or a temporary state of overload, something that can be fixed with a few lifestyle changes or dietary supplements.
He is careful to note: "You shouldn't underestimate lifestyle measures — they can be genuinely effective. Exercise, eating well, spending time with good people — all of that matters. But these things are not adequate for treating depression. They can support or enhance proper treatment, but they cannot replace it. That's something people often take too lightly."
With ADHD in particular, Prof. Menke regularly encounters people who first suspected they might be affected after seeing something on Instagram or TikTok.
"There are people who are led by Instagram or other social media to think they might have a condition. They then contact me, for example, at my private self-pay clinic. Many colleagues also report that people come to their practices because they saw something on Instagram.
ADHD involves certain symptoms that each of us experiences to some degree. Everyone gets distracted and isn't always equally focused. With ADHD, it's the full picture of symptoms and their severity that matters. A thorough assessment is needed before any diagnosis can be made."
In practice, Prof. Menke frequently finds that patients respond well to this kind of contextualization. When a suspected diagnosis is not confirmed, many are actually relieved — either because an alternative explanation for their symptoms is found, or because it turns out their symptoms fall within the healthy range.
Few terms are thrown around as loosely on social media as "narcissist." Prof. Menke stresses that a clear distinction must be drawn between narcissistic personality traits and narcissistic personality disorder: "Being narcissistic is also a trait, and it isn't necessarily a bad one. In a healthy context, it simply means that someone is self-confident and believes in their own abilities.
Healthy narcissistic traits are perfectly fine — even advantageous. The problem is that the word 'narcissistic' always sounds so severe, because the term comes primarily from the realm of psychopathology."
The narcissistic personality disorder in the clinical sense is something he distinguishes clearly: "It means someone considers themselves all-powerful, exceptional — exceptionally intelligent, exceptionally attractive, deserving of special treatment, someone who believes they should be given preferential treatment because of how great they are. These are people who manipulate others, exploit them for their own benefit, and show little empathy."
The condition is treatable in principle. However, those affected typically only seek help when secondary conditions or interpersonal conflicts cause them significant distress.
The study does not paint an entirely negative picture. The researchers emphasize that social media can also help make experiences visible and reduce the stigma surrounding mental illnesses — as long as personal experiences are not presented as universally valid medical facts.
The key difference, then, lies not in the medium itself, but in whether a video distinguishes personal experience from clinical diagnosis.
This is also where the study's authors see a responsibility for the professional community: they call on doctors and psychotherapists to become more active on social networks, countering the information gap with expert knowledge rather than leaving the space to coaches and laypeople.
Prof. Menke, who is himself active on Instagram, shares this view:
"It would be helpful if more and more professionals got involved and made themselves present on social media — because they don't spread dangerous half-knowledge, but rather well-founded information that people can actually use."
When it comes to mental illness in particular, this can help lower inhibitions. Many people still avoid visiting a practice out of fear of stigmatization. Reliable public education on social media can therefore help reduce those barriers and encourage people to seek professional assessment.
• A quick look at the profile will often reveal whether the person speaking is a qualified doctor or psychotherapist — or simply an account with no verifiable professional credentials.
• Phrases like "This is a clear sign of ADHD" or "If you do this, you definitely have depression" are a red flag. Legitimate diagnoses always require an individual assessment.
• Watch out for romanticization: "ADHD is a superpower" downplays real burdens and can discourage those affected from seeking the support they need.
• Distinguish personal experience from diagnosis: a personal account can be valuable and reassuring, but it is no substitute for professional assessment of one's own situation.
The study provides the first solid data on the quality of German-language TikTok content about mental illness. Its findings show that social media can raise awareness and foster greater engagement with mental health — while at the same time carrying a real risk of oversimplifying complex conditions or spreading misinformation.
For Prof. Menke, the takeaway is not to demonize TikTok, but to push for more professionally grounded information. Anyone who recognizes themselves in a video should treat it as a prompt to seek professional help — not as confirmation of a diagnosis.
Of the 177 German-language TikTok videos on ADHD, depression, autism, anxiety disorders, narcissism, and PTSD that were examined, just 19.2 percent were rated as factually correct by the researchers.
Videos on narcissistic personality disorder were consistently rated as professionally inadequate. Not a single video on this topic was considered accurate.
No. Experts explicitly caution against this, as misinformation can lead to incorrect self-diagnoses or delays in starting treatment. If a mental illness is suspected, assessment by a psychiatrist or psychotherapist is the appropriate course of action.
Yes. According to Prof. Dr. Andreas Menke, psychotherapy is possible even for narcissistic personality disorder — however, those affected rarely seek treatment on their own initiative, as they frequently do not experience significant personal distress.
