BETWEEN POSTS, LIKES AND SYMPTOMS: THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON THE SELF-DIAGNOSIS OF ADHD AND ASD

Abstract

With the popularization of the internet and the widespread dissemination of mental health content, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a rise in self-diagnosis practices based on information shared on digital platforms. Therefore, this study investigated the impact of social media on the perception and self-diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The study, which was socially descriptive and quantitative in nature, was conducted through an online questionnaire administered to 113 participants, all over 18 years of age, who used social media for at least one hour daily. Although not the majority of respondents, the data indicated that a high number of participants reported self-diagnosis, although most acknowledge that the information provided by social media is insufficient for this purpose. Terms such as "hyperfocus," "attention deficit," and "hyperactivity" are widely used, revealing the incorporation of technical concepts into everyday discourse. Most believe that constant exposure to content about ASD and ADHD can lead to the misinterpretation of common behaviors as symptoms, and also consider that social media contributes to the trivialization of these disorders. The conclusion is that, although social media can help disseminate information about mental health, the simplified and decontextualized way in which the content is presented encourages self-diagnosis and reinforces stigmas, highlighting the importance of multidisciplinary evaluation and ethical responsibility in the dissemination of psychological information.