While some physical health trends on TikTok include things like rice water hair, natural grains, and the famous 12-3-30 workout, the viral social media app is also home to a tremendous amount of mental health content.
People suffering from almost any mental health issue can find other users on the site who describe their symptoms, self-described “TikTok therapists” who tout advice, or influencers who swear by certain trends like “syndrome.” of the lucky girl.”
However, given that TikTok content about mental health is often full of misinformationIt’s important to know how to analyze inaccurate or potentially dangerous items.
Below are the top nine mental health trends circulating on TikTok and whether they are based on real evidence or spreading misinformation.
1. Let intrusive thoughts win
TikTok tends to make taboo topics less taboo – and so is a new trend around so-called “intrusive thoughts.”
Users upload videos titled “letting intrusive thoughts win” in which they act impulsively, whether it’s breaking the ice on an open car window or pressing the button. alarm button in a hotel elevator.
Yet it seems TikTokers are confusing intrusive thoughts with impulsive thoughtswhen the term “intrusive thoughts” is usually linked to certain mental health problems like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
In these cases, intrusive thoughts are persistent, unwanted, anxiety-producing obsessions that people often seek to engage in a compulsive behavior or ritual to get rid of, according to Mayo Clinic. They often cause distress, require therapy or treatment, and should not be confused with impulsive urges to suddenly get a tattoo or cut yourself, for example.
2. “Stupid Mental Health”
End of 2021, TikToker Nina Laevski posted a video that showed her reluctantly stepping out of her door in the winter and taking a walk, accompanied by text that read: “Taking a stupid walk for my stupid sanity.”
The video was a success, garnering nearly 9 million views and almost a million likes.
Others have since followed the trend, showing that they force themselves to take daily walks or do yoga because they know it will be good for them in the long run.
That doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be easy yet, but it’s still good to laugh about it.
3. POV: This is what it looks like…
TikTok has become famous for being the social media platform that, in many ways, is the most honest.
Contrary to Instagramwhich is often filled with happy facades and vacation images, young people on TikTok tend to be a little more direct about their personal struggles and mental health issues.
The POV – or point of view – type of video is extremely popular. Many POV videos are humorous, but some are raw and honest depictions of what life is like for people with certain mental or physical health conditions.
4. The phenomenon of self-diagnosis
While POV videos can be helpful in many ways, such as helping people struggling with mental health issues not feel alone or isolated, they can also fuel a significant amount of misinformation.
According to a recent study, nearly 84% of mental health videos on TikTok are misleading. Recently, experts have sounded the alarm that the large amount of videos describing the symptoms of certain mental health disorders have led to an increase in the number of self-diagnoses.
Dissociative identity disorder, OCD, bipolar disorder, and borderline personality disorder (BDP) are all examples of conditions commonly discussed on TikTok.
However, experts have noted that this may be a harmful activity. Many of these conditions are rare and can only be diagnosed by a certified healthcare professional. Yet TikTok can convince people that they have a disorder when in reality they don’t.
5. Bright planes
“Glow-up” refers to a positive physical, spiritual and mental transformation that allows a person to become the best version of themselves.
At the start of 2023, many TikTokers were sharing their step-by-step plans on how they were going to shine.
Many of these include healthy daily rituals that involve positive affirmations, journaling, self-care, exercise, and therapy.
6. Hot girl walk
The “hot girl walk” trend may seem more complicated than it is.
The trend took off in 2021, when women on TikTok touted the benefits of a daily walk for mental and physical health.
These mental and physical health benefits, in some way, make you “hot.” The term is meant to put a positive spin on following a daily mental health routine.
7. “Lucky girl syndrome”
Positive affirmations, positive self-talk, and “protests” have all been trending in TikTok conversations for years now. Manifestation, for example, is essentially the idea that if you believe that your dreams or goals will come true, they will come true over time.
“Lucky girl syndrome” is a new trend that has emerged in 2023 and is similar in many ways to its predecessors. In short, the idea is that positive thinking can lead to positive results. If you think you’re lucky, for example, lucky things start happening.
Since the term became popular, countless people have posted videos claiming that lucky girl syndrome really works — and some people even attempt to explain the neuroscience behind this phenomenon.
Several news agencies have also picked up the trend by publishing articles that questioning the validity of lucky girl syndrome.
Some psychology experts have noted, as in this article from The Washington PostThis lucky girl syndrome can be helpful because it encourages positive thinking – which has been shown to be constructive for mental health and motivation – while being aware that lucky and magical events can be closer to coincidence.
Others have noted that positive thinking is not always enough to bring about change; positive actions are, in some ways, more important.
8. #Mascara
Recently, TikTokers have been posting videos under the hashtag #mascara, not to discuss makeup, but rather to discuss serious topics like suicide, trauma or sexual abuse, while avoiding TikTok’s censorship filters.
Code words like #mascara are often used on TikTok to avoid the platform banning certain words.
The trend originally started with mascara referencing the partner, but later evolved into a code word for darker topics like trauma and abuse. Since then, mental health experts have become more concerned that the trend could be triggering, dismissive and re-traumatizing for some viewers.
9. Digital Detox
More and more people are touting the benefits of a “digital detox“, or find various ways to reduce the time spent on screens, whether it’s your phone, TV, iPad or laptop.
TikTokers suggest different steps for doing this, from charging your phone in a separate room to limiting the length of apps to even taking complete two-week breaks from your phone. Many TikTokers trying digital detoxes say the benefits include decreased anxiety, greater productivity, and better sleep.
Good news for TikTok: it’s actually something backed by science. Research has shown that stepping away from digital devices and the internet can improve concentration and sleep, the study found. Cleveland Clinic.
