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Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Health
- Express Tribune
Over half of top TikTok mental health videos contain misinformation, study finds
Listen to article More than half of the 100 most popular mental health videos on TikTok contain misleading or inaccurate information, a Guardian investigation has revealed, prompting concern from mental health professionals and UK MPs. The analysis examined top videos under the hashtag #mentalhealthtips, with input from psychologists, psychiatrists, and academic experts. Of the reviewed posts, 52 were found to contain some form of misinformation, particularly around conditions such as trauma, anxiety, depression, and neurodivergence. Examples of misleading content included simplistic 'quick-fix' advice, such as eating an orange in the shower to ease anxiety, as well as unproven claims about supplements like saffron and magnesium glycinate. Some videos promoted the idea that trauma could be 'healed' in under an hour or mislabelled everyday emotional experiences as symptoms of serious mental illness. Dr David Okai, a consultant neuropsychiatrist at King's College London, warned that misuse of clinical terms such as 'anxiety', 'wellbeing', and 'mental disorder' could lead to confusion about what constitutes a diagnosable mental health condition. Former health minister and NHS psychiatrist Dan Poulter said several posts pathologised normal feelings, risking the trivialisation of genuine mental illness. Psychologist Amber Johnston added that the trauma-related content oversimplified complex conditions like PTSD, often presenting misleading 'universal solutions'. TikTok stated that it removes harmful content and directs users to official NHS sources when they search for terms like anxiety or depression. The platform defended users' rights to share personal experiences, but critics argue that algorithms often amplify emotionally charged misinformation. Chi Onwurah MP, who chairs the Commons technology committee, said the findings raise 'significant concerns' about the efficacy of the Online Safety Act (OSA) in tackling false and harmful health advice online. Other MPs echoed calls for stronger regulation, warning of the psychological harm misinformation may cause. Experts emphasised that mental illness can only be accurately diagnosed by qualified professionals following a thorough assessment. They urged the public to rely on evidence-based guidance from trusted health institutions. The government says it is acting through the OSA to compel platforms to reduce harmful content, particularly material posing risks to children.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Mental health myths go viral on social media: Experts warn of potential risks
It's not fun and content anymore. More than half of the most popular TikTok videos related to mental health spread misinformation, posing a significant risk to users who are struggling with complex conditions, British experts have warned. A recent study conducted by The Guardian revealed, those seeking instant relief and solutions for issues like trauma, depression, or anxiety may find themselves feeling more distressed after following flawed advice they had gotten from the widely popular social media platform. What's happening? The study examined the top 100 videos posted under the hashtag #mentalhealthtips on TikTok, which were then reviewed by psychological professionals for accuracy and potential harm. Researchers identified 52 videos that provided misleading mental health advice on topics such as trauma, neurodivergence, anxiety, and depression. Some clips offered vague, ineffective advice. What are the experts saying? Amber Johnson, a psychologist accredited by the British Psychological Society, told The Guardian, 'TikTok is perpetuating misinformation by implying there are universal tips and truths that may actually worsen a viewer's feelings, making them feel like a failure when these suggestions don't provide an easy cure.' She added, 'Each video tends to suggest that everyone experiences PTSD in the same way, with similar symptoms that can be adequately explained in a 30-second clip. ' Dan Poulter, a psychiatrist with the National Health Service, stated, 'This misinformation can mislead impressionable audiences and trivialize the life experiences of individuals living with serious mental illness.' Experts criticized these videos for misusing therapeutic language, relying on personal anecdotes, and making sweeping generalizations that overlook the complexities of various mental health conditions. The experts cautioned that such dangerous tips could distort public perception of mental illness and urged government officials to implement stronger safeguards against the spread of harmful misinformation. David Okai, a psychological medical researcher at King's College London, mentioned, 'Short, attention-grabbing soundbites can sometimes overshadow the more nuanced realities of qualified therapeutic work. ' What does TikTok say about it? In response to these findings, TikTok defended its platform, emphasizing that it provides a space for millions to express themselves and share their 'authentic' mental health journeys. A spokesperson for the platform stated, 'There are clear limitations to the methodology of this study, which opposes free expression and implies that people should not be allowed to share their own stories. We actively collaborate with health experts from the World Health Organization and the NHS to promote reliable information and remove 98% of harmful misinformation before it is reported to us. ' While TikTok can offer insights and connect individuals seeking mental health information, it's generally not advisable to rely on it for professional advice, especially regarding mental health. It's crucial to approach TikTok mental health content with a critical eye and consult with qualified professionals for accurate diagnosis and treatment. The popular app is currently facing several lawsuits in the US, accusing it of harming children's mental health through addictive features and dangerous content, which have contributed to rising rates of depression and anxiety. Weekly Health News (May 20-26) One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
New York Post
3 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
Popular mental health videos on TikTok spread misinformation and pose a great risk, experts warned
More than half of the most popular TikTok videos about mental health peddle misinformation and pose a significant risk to users struggling with complex conditions, British experts warned. Users turning to the social media platform for instant relief and solutions to treat their trauma, depression or anxiety may end up feeling more distressed after taking the flawed advice, a recent study conducted by The Guardian revealed. 'TikTok is spreading misinformation by suggesting that there are secret universal tips and truths that may actually make a viewer feel even worse, like a failure, when these tips don't simply cure,' Amber Johnson, a British Psychological Society-accredited psychologist, told the outlet. 3 Videos on the platform may cause struggling users to feel even more distressed, a study conducted by The Guardian found. AFP via Getty Images Advertisement 'Each video is guilty of suggesting that everyone has the same experience of PTSD with similar symptoms that can easily be explained in a 30-second reel.' The study examined the top 100 videos posted under #mentalhealthtips on the platform, which were then reviewed by psychological professionals for accuracy and potential harm. Experts flagged 52 videos offering mental health advice on trauma, neurodivergence, anxiety, depression, and other serious disorders as misleading – with some clips dishing out vague and hollow fluff. Advertisement 'This is providing misinformation to impressionable people and can also trivialize the life experiences of people living with serious mental illness,' Dan Poulter, a National Health Service psychiatrist, said. 3 Experts cautioned that the dangerous tips could warp the public's understanding of mental illness. Natalia – Experts criticized the content for misusing therapeutic language, offering counsel rooted in personal experience, and making sweeping generalizations while also minimizing the complexities of certain mental health conditions, the outlet reported. They cautioned that the dangerous tips could warp the public's understanding of mental illness and urged government officials to implement stronger safeguards against the spread of harmful misinformation. Advertisement 'Short-form, attention-grabbing soundbites can sometimes overshadow the more nuanced realities of qualified therapeutic work,' said David Okai, a psychological medical researcher at King's College London. 3 Experts criticized the content for misusing therapeutic language and offering counsel rooted in personal experience. Andrii Yalanskyi – In response to the outlet's findings, TikTok boasted the platform for providing a space where millions of people can express themselves and share their 'authentic' mental health journeys. 'There are clear limitations to the methodology of this study, which opposes free expression and suggests that people should not be allowed to share their own stores,' a spokesperson told The Guardian. Advertisement 'We proactively work with health experts at the World Health Organization and NHS to promote reliable information on our platform and remove 98% of harmful misinformation before it's reported to us.' The popular app is currently facing several lawsuits in the US accusing it of harming children's mental health with addictive features and dangerous content and causing high rates of depression and anxiety.
The Guardian
3 days ago
- General
- The Guardian
What is the most common mental health misinformation on TikTok?
Thousands of influencers peddle mental health misinformation on social media platforms – some out of a naive belief that their personal experience will help people, others because they want to boost their following or sell products. As part of a Guardian investigation, experts established clear themes to the misinformation contained in videos posted with a #mentalhealthtips hashtag on TikTok. Several videos about borderline personality disorder suggest symptoms that are everyday experiences – such as feeling anxiety when people change plans, experiencing mood swings, a fear of abandonment and mirroring people's behaviour to be liked. Another video purports to show how depression manifests in the workplace as a lack of concentration, feeling tired, having low energy levels, a loss of appetite and irritability. 'While some of the 'symptoms' overlap with depression, these can be attributed to a range of afflictions and struggles,' said Liam Modlin, a therapist and psychology researcher at King's College London. One video said that people with bipolar disorder experience mood swings because their emotional pendulum swings more widely and rapidly than most. However this is a misunderstanding, since people experience extended mood changes over periods of weeks rather than rapid 'mood swings'. 'This is an example of misappropriating a mental health diagnosis to wrongly explain or justify behaviour,' said Dan Poulter, a former health minister and NHS psychiatrist. 'A person with bipolar disorder may find this trivialising of their experience of living with a debilitating and serious mental illness.' Another popular video suggests that when someone is about to die by suicide they become 'almost bipolar' – 'language [that] can further stigmatise mental health', said Prof Rina Dutta, a consultant psychiatrist and psychiatry professor at King's College London. Another video claims signs of abuse are constantly apologising; breaking down during small disagreements; needing reassurance; struggling to be open; being hypersensitive to criticism, and hiding feelings. 'The behaviours it describes, while potentially present in abusive dynamics, are not exclusive to abuse and may occur in a variety of other contexts,' said Modlin. 'By presenting these signs without sufficient context or diagnostic nuance, the video risks encouraging viewers to self-diagnose or mislabel complex relational struggles as abuse.' This was the most common form of misinformation contained in the videos. One video promotes a method it said was cheaper than therapy and had fewer side effects than antidepressants that could enable people 'to heal from trauma in an hour' and involved writing about the traumatic experiences for 15 minutes non-stop. 'No research suggests this is sufficient for cure, definitely not in an hour, and there is risk of independently forcing oneself back into this traumatic mindset without the support of an experienced therapist,' said Amber Johnston, an accredited psychotherapist. Another clip suggests that crying is self-soothing and good for processing emotions, including by stimulating the release of cortisol. 'Cortisol changes related to crying are complex and cannot be distilled down in this way,' said Amy Durden, a psychotherapist. 'Crying can bring relief but not always. It can be self-soothing but if the person crying judges their crying negatively, they do not experience this benefit and may feel acute shame.' Several videos featured glib quotations that the experts viewed as unhelpful such as: 'If you're not changing, you're choosing', while another popular quotation said: 'When you feel like everyone hates you, sleep. When you feel like you hate everyone, eat. When you feel like you hate yourself, shower. And when you feel like everyone hates everyone, go outside.' 'This is a huge oversimplification of how to address complex emotional states,' said Durden. 'It seems to be pulling from behavioural activation in CBT, but without any context or individualisation.' A specific breathing technique for treating anxiety was promoted in another video. 'There is no single, universally effective breathing technique that is helpful in all cases,' said David Okai, a consultant neuropsychiatrist. 'If performed incorrectly, the exercises can be the equivalent of hyperventilation, which can be extremely unpleasant and exacerbate anxiety.' Another video suggests depression is caused by alcohol, tobacco, MSG, caffeine, sugar and hydrolysed wheat. Modlin said that although lifestyle factors can contribute, 'this framing is overly simplistic and potentially misleading', since there are complex interwoven factors, including genetics and neurobiology, psychosocial stressors, childhood adversity, medical conditions and personality styles. Other clips promote supplements including saffron, magnesium glycinate and holy basil extract to ease anxiety. Although the psychiatrist Famia Askari said there are some studies showing benefits to some of these, there is not sufficient consensus for these to have become part of clinical practice – they are also manufactured supplements, in contrast to the 'natural' claims that featured. Two videos recommend admission to psychiatric units based on personal experience, including one suggesting someone had considerably improved after six days, and another offering a template for children to ask their parents to have them admitted. Poulter said this was 'misleading' and can 'create misconceptions' about the benefits of inpatient admission. 'Inpatient admission can in fact create and reinforce maladaptive coping mechanisms,' he said. 'It is also very rare that someone would be driving themselves into mental health hospital in the way depicted by the video.' Another video depicts someone in a hospital gown in what appears to be a psychiatric ward stating: 'I was too honest with my psychiatrist.' This could be harmful as it is 'potentially encouraging people to not be honest and open with healthcare professionals about their mental health', said Poulter. In another clip, a woman gives her strategies for managing anxiety, including eating an orange in the shower. 'There is no evidence-base for eating citrus in the shower as a means to reducing anxiety, and I would worry that this would lead on to an ever-increasing spiral of unusual behaviours,' said Okai.
