Though it’s useful to help Raise Awareness of the Issues about Disability and Mental Health
Just recently there were a couple of articles that I came across online which were about whether social media platforms like TikTok are being used for the diagnosis of things like ADHD. Now this is something that has actually got me asking questions, as well as completely puzzling me.
First and foremost why would anyone feel this need to look for a possible diagnosis on social media platforms full-stop?
Now I know that one of the plus sides to this is that those with the disability. And also neurological disorders are trying to use them to educate people on it. However, I admit that’s great, but it’s not that straightforward. I mean yes, you may well suspect that you have ADHD. And are looking for signs of it but there will be other conditions that also have similarities. If not, the exact same symptoms.
I myself am Autistic, something that I have occasionally spoken quite openly about. But I’m not an expert and certainly don’t pass myself off as one. Yes, I grew up in life with a Neurological Disorder. And also in one of my jobs, I support people with similar problems. One of the things that I do occasionally get asked about someone they know is whether I think they’re Autistic. Yes, I do get asked that. My simple reply is along the lines of ‘look, I’m not an expert. And I can’t fake what I don’t fully get. You’d be better talking to an actual professional’.
Here is another reason as to why self-diagnosis rather than professional can lead to potentially risky, if not dangerous consequences. When asked, clinical professionals mentioned that the process of self-diagnosis without actually knowing the facts can become highly problematic. As some people can end up getting medication that they don’t need.
For me though, if you would have asked me this, let’s say 10 years ago when only a few social media platforms were still in their infancy I’d have genuinely thought this as probably crazy. I mean I happily talk about Autism and Aspergers but I don’t take to social media to discuss it for the simple fact that I don’t want to spread the wrong message about it. Talking about my own individual experiences I have no problem with, would be more than willing to share. But I’m not going to say things that I’m not 100% about. Hell, I wouldn’t even do it if I was only 99.9% about it
But let’s step back a second to look at what it is that is actually going on here. You have people who have accounts on video-sharing platforms like TikTok. And all they are doing is sharing stories about life for them growing up with Neurological Disorders like ADHD. You can just as easily have ones for Autism and Aspergers, and why not. I mean it’s equally as valid a subject. However, this is where the trap of misinformation can fall into place here, and completely without even realizing it. Symptoms get mentioned and before you know it you have people who are looking for information who pick up on a couple of things and then believe that they’ve got it.
My only advice to anyone taking to TikTok to talk about this issue is to be absolutely careful as to what it is they put out there. Otherwise, it’s acting on information that isn’t accurate or does not sound
Let’s look at the examples that are causing this;
Multiple reasons why you do certain things because of your Neurological Disorder. Is that the reason though or is it because you’re solely a creature of habit?
What type of questions you could ask someone to determine whether they have ADHD or not. Well firstly are they the right questions and do you know enough about them to make that call?
If there was this final bit of advice that I would recommend it would be this; just how much is it that the individuals on the platform actually know about the condition? Unless they have actually been diagnosed how do they know they’ve officially got it?
