Study Finds Over Half of Top 100 TikTok Mental Health Videos Spread Misinformation

Over Half of Popular TikTok Mental Health Videos Found to Contain Misinformation, Study Finds

An investigation by The Guardian has revealed that more than 50% of the 100 most-viewed mental health videos on TikTok under the hashtag #mentalhealthtips contain misleading or inaccurate content, raising alarms among mental health professionals and UK lawmakers.

The analysis, conducted with input from psychologists, psychiatrists, and academic experts, found that 52 of the reviewed videos included some form of misinformation particularly around topics like trauma, anxiety, depression, and neurodivergence.

Among the misleading claims were overly simplistic “quick fixes” for mental health issues such as the suggestion that showering while eating an orange could alleviate anxiety as well as unverified claims about supplements like saffron and magnesium glycinate. Some videos inaccurately claimed that deep psychological trauma could be “healed” in under an hour, while others mischaracterized normal emotional experiences as signs of serious mental illness.

Dr. David Okai, a neuropsychiatrist at King’s College London, expressed concern about the misuse of clinical language online. He noted that the casual use of terms like “anxiety,” “mental disorder,” and “wellbeing” can lead to confusion about what truly constitutes a diagnosable condition.

Former health minister and NHS psychiatrist Dr. Dan Poulter criticized the trend of pathologizing ordinary emotions, warning that it risks trivializing legitimate mental health challenges. Clinical psychologist Amber Johnston also flagged trauma-related content as problematic, pointing out that many posts promote oversimplified and potentially misleading “universal solutions” to complex disorders like PTSD.

TikTok responded to the investigation by affirming that it removes harmful content and directs users to official NHS mental health resources when they search for terms like “anxiety” or “depression.” While the platform defends the right of individuals to share personal mental health experiences, experts argue that emotionally charged misinformation often gains disproportionate visibility due to the platform’s algorithm.

Chi Onwurah MP, chair of the UK Parliament’s technology committee, said the findings cast doubt on the effectiveness of the Online Safety Act in curbing harmful health misinformation. Several MPs joined her in calling for more robust oversight to protect users—particularly young people—from psychological harm caused by inaccurate content.

Mental health professionals emphasized that proper diagnosis of psychological conditions requires a thorough evaluation by qualified practitioners. They urged the public to rely on trustworthy, evidence-based resources provided by recognized health organizations.

The government has stated that the Online Safety Act is being implemented to pressure tech companies into addressing harmful content more effectively, especially content that could negatively impact children.

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