TikTok mental health comments show support, debate and calls for help

Researchers examined how TikTok users talked with one another in comment sections on videos about mental health, depression, anxiety, self-diagnosis and ADHD. ADHD, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, is a condition involving patterns of inattention, hyperactivity or impulsivity.

The team used TikTok’s application programming interface, or API, a tool that allows researchers to collect certain platform data. They then carried out an inductive thematic analysis. This is a qualitative research method in which researchers review material and identify recurring ideas or themes.

The abstract does not state how many videos or comments were included, who the commenters were, or the time period covered. It also does not provide demographic details such as age, location or whether people had a formal diagnosis.

The analysis identified six themes in the comments. People showed support and empathy toward video creators and other commenters. Many also said the content felt relatable, connected it to their own experiences, or used it to make sense of experiences they had had.

Some comments were described as indirect or direct cries for help. The researchers also found discussions about self-diagnosis. These ranged from comments affirming people who self-diagnose to comments explaining why someone might avoid a formal diagnosis. A further theme covered negative views of online self-diagnosis.

According to the researchers, commenters discussed reasons that may lead people toward self-diagnosis, including distrust of mental health professionals and perceived stigma. The study does not show how common these reasons are among TikTok users generally, or whether TikTok itself causes people to self-diagnose.

The findings point to a mixed picture. Comment sections may give people a sense that they are not alone and offer a place for support and shared experience. At the same time, the study’s authors say self-diagnosis remains controversial and note that relatable online content can be applied to oneself too quickly.

This research cannot tell us whether viewing this content improves or worsens anyone’s mental health. It did not test an intervention, compare groups of users, or measure health outcomes over time. Because it focused on comments, it also cannot capture the views of people who watched videos but did not post.

More research would be needed to understand how often these conversations occur, which users are most affected, and whether online discussions change decisions about seeking formal assessment. The authors say future work could also explore barriers to formal diagnosis that may prompt people to look for answers online.