People are turning to social media for mental health support as waiting lists for specialist appointments in New Zealand continue to grow.
ADHD and anxiety are both trending topics on video sharing platform TikTok, now boasting a combined 13.1 billion views.
Clinical psychologist Jacqui Maguire says increased awareness around mental health online is intensifying the demand for an already over stretched sector.
“There's also been a raised awareness for some individuals that may have historically gone under the radar in terms of diagnoses for ADHD, for example in women,” she says.
But there is a danger in people becoming “Doctor Google” for themselves and self-diagnosing, says Maguire.
She is concerned that a lack of resources across the psychology sector means people can’t get the help they need after becoming aware of their symptoms.
“I think we need to look at why people are turning to social media for this information.
“Are people needing to increase their awareness? Are they needing to feel validated? Are they needing to connect to people where their experiences might be shared?”
ADHD New Zealand Chair Darrin Bull says it is a natural human behaviour to turn elsewhere for support, if you cannot access what is on offer.
“If you're having trouble getting a diagnosis or understanding what's happening, you're going to look for info... It's a move from Doctor Google to Doctor TikTok,” he says.
Down the TikTok rabbit hole
TikTok tracks what users watch, showing them more of the content they interact most with. It means watching one mental health video could lead to a stream of similar content.
But experts are warning the information being fed through the app may not always be accurate.
“There's some very good TikTok videos out there which explain ADHD very well, but as with everything on the internet, you have to be aware of the source,” says Bull.
“Just because you've seen it on Google or TikTok it doesn't mean you have ADHD; you have to be diagnosed properly."
Wellington mum and TikTok creator Lisette Prende has been making videos to raise awareness around lesser known symptoms more commonly experienced by women.
“I thought ADHD was that hyperactive child jumping around the classroom, but it can equally be that kid who's staring out the window not finishing their work,” she says.
She was diagnosed earlier this year, at the age of 38.
With her symptoms slipping under the radar for most of her life, Prende has now set out to help others by sharing her experience on TikTok.
Her videos range from everyday things she didn’t realise were linked to ADHD, to debunking misinformation about the neurodevelopmental disorder which circulates on TikTok.
“I was really surprised with how many comments I got around ‘oh wow I have these symptoms, I'm gonna start looking into it, I'm gonna go do a self-screening checklist on a website and research some more,” she says.
Prende is a part of a wave of creators taking to the platform to try and spread awareness, with #ADHD gaining over 5.6 billion views.
“I left school feeling not good enough and like I wasn't able to achieve my full potential, and I don't really want other girls to go through that."
Diagnostic delays
After spending around 15 years in the mental health system herself, Prende says finally getting a diagnosis was an epiphany.
“The repercussions of not being diagnosed and then kind of making beliefs about yourself like you're not academic, so you must be stupid and that stuff leads to more depression and anxiety.”
But, raised awareness is adding to pressure on New Zealand’s mental health sector.
It can take up to a year to get an appointment for an ADHD diagnosis according to ADHD New Zealand.
“It is incredibly difficult, we are aware of some DHBs (District Health Boards) no longer providing diagnostic services,” says Chair Darrin Bull.
“If you are a child or a family with a child who you suspect of having ADHD for some places in New Zealand, it is impossible.”
The Ministry of Health told 1 NEWS there is now more demand for mental health services, with the number of people getting help about nine per cent higher in 2019/20, than in 2015/16.
It says DHBs are being supported to develop solutions that enable alternative treatment options.
Jackie Maguire says awareness from platforms like TikTok has led to demand for ADHD assessments, as well as for autism and bipolar.
She says there is under diagnosis in some areas due to being under-resourced.
“We need to look at how many psychologists there are, and if the number of people working in the mental health field that can diagnose, is that meeting demand."
She says currently, it is not.
SHARE ME