Social media has changed how young people learn about mental health. A few seconds of scrolling can now introduce them to information about conditions such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
However, experts warn that increased awareness can also create confusion. A viral video, symptom checklist or personal story may encourage young people to label ordinary forgetfulness, distraction or restlessness as ADHD without consulting a qualified professional.
Social Media Can Raise Awareness But Cannot Diagnose ADHD
Psychiatrist Dr Tahmeena Yasir said self-diagnosis through social media is not a healthy approach.
She explained that young people often identify with online descriptions of forgetfulness, poor concentration, impulsive behaviour or procrastination. They may then conclude that they have ADHD.
However, these symptoms can occur for many different reasons. Stress, anxiety, poor sleep and other difficulties can also affect concentration and behaviour.
Dr Tahmeena said a proper assessment requires a person’s medical and developmental history. It must also consider how long symptoms have continued and how seriously they affect everyday life.
She acknowledged that social media can play a useful role in creating awareness. However, it should never replace professional evaluation.
She also warned that excessive exposure to symptom-related content could increase anxiety. Young people may begin interpreting normal lapses in concentration as signs of a serious disorder.
Experts Warn Against Online Treatment Claims
Homeopathic specialist Dr Hamza also advised young people against making treatment decisions based only on social-media content, testimonials or online claims.
He said people experiencing persistent problems with concentration, memory, anxiety or emotional well-being should seek proper assessment first.
Personal experiences shared online should not automatically be treated as medical evidence. A treatment that appears helpful for one person may not be suitable for another.
Dr Hamza stressed that treatment decisions should follow professional evaluation rather than viral claims or individual testimonials.
Polyclinic spokesperson Dr Jabbar Bhutto said around 50 to 60 percent of people with ADHD may have one or more coexisting conditions.
These may include learning disorders and other behavioural or mental-health difficulties.
He noted that ADHD symptoms are more commonly identified in boys during childhood. However, the condition can affect both boys and girls.
He stressed that concentration problems, hyperactivity and impulsive behaviour should not be considered separately from a person’s wider circumstances.
ADHD and Autism Require Careful Assessment
Dr Naveed Ashraf, Head of the Paediatrics Department at Polyclinic, said ADHD can involve persistent difficulty maintaining attention, excessive activity, impulsive behaviour and problems with organisation or completing tasks.
However, occasional forgetfulness or restlessness does not automatically indicate ADHD.
He said symptoms must be considered alongside a child’s age, developmental history and everyday functioning.
Dr Naveed also discussed autism, explaining that some children may experience differences in social communication and interaction. Others may show restricted or repetitive behaviours, interests or activities.
He stressed that every child is different. Symptoms can vary considerably, making professional assessment important.
The paediatrician particularly warned parents against relying only on social-media videos and online checklists when identifying developmental conditions.
A Viral Video Is Not a Medical Diagnosis
For young social-media user Memona Mumtaz, online ADHD content became a personal experience.
After repeatedly watching videos about ADHD symptoms, she began relating some of her everyday experiences to the condition. She wondered whether she might also have ADHD.
Memona said social media made her more aware of her behaviour and concentration patterns. At the same time, she realised how easily relatable content could encourage people to label themselves.
Her experience reflects a wider challenge facing young social-media users.
A platform can provide valuable mental-health information within seconds. But the same content can also create fear and uncertainty when complex medical conditions are reduced to short videos and simplified checklists.
ADHD should not simply be associated with occasional distraction, procrastination or forgetfulness.
A proper assessment must consider the pattern of symptoms, developmental history and their impact on education, work, relationships and daily activities.
Families and teachers also have an important role. Persistent difficulties should not simply be dismissed as laziness. At the same time, children should not be diagnosed based on internet content.
When difficulties continue to interfere with daily life, professional assessment can help identify the underlying concern and determine what support may be appropriate.
The message for young people is straightforward. A relatable video is not a diagnosis. A symptom checklist is not a medical assessment. A trending treatment claim is not automatically reliable medical evidence.
Social media can help reduce stigma and encourage people to seek support. But awareness becomes harmful when medical information turns into entertainment and symptoms become online identities.
As ADHD becomes more visible in Pakistan’s digital culture, the goal should not be to stop awareness. The priority should be responsible awareness.
Reliable information, professional assessment and qualified guidance remain essential. Behind every viral label is a real person, and reducing a complex condition to a social-media trend can make it harder for people to find the answers they genuinely need.
