ADHD is Oversimplified: What I Learned from the #ADHDTok Event
by: Donal Buckley
Discussing topics like mental health is no longer taboo in 2026. In fact, it’s encouraged. Gone are the days where we fear being stigmatized for talking more openly about our personal issues and seeking the right tools to help address them. This was the crux of the conversation at Student Health’s “#ADHDTok: The Myths (and Facts) of ADHD” on Friday, April 10, 2026.
Per its name, the panel discussed common misconceptions of ADHD that exist (or have been perpetuated) largely thanks to social media. On TikTok, a subcommunity exists called “ADHDTok” that talks about all things ADHD. While this community has been helpful in addressing stigmas in talking about the brain difference, it has also spread misinformation about it as well. I’ve fallen victim to this too, so this event was a valuable learning opportunity for me.
Don’t Trust TikTok for Everything
The main argument of the panel was that we can’t trust everything off TikTok blindly. TikTok’s algorithms work where it gives you what it thinks you want to see. If you’re engaging with ADHDTok content — and believing you may have ADHD based on an influencer saying a sign is a short attention span — then TikTok is going to feed you more of it. And the thing about TikTok is that, at the end of the day, many creators are looking for you to engage with them so they can make money. While not true of all creators, it’s important to treat everything said with a grain of salt and go to professionals like clinicians and therapists for more accurate information. ADHD is a nuanced disorder that affects each person who has it differently.
ADHD Does Not Only Exist in School
One of the most common ways ADHD is discussed is in relation to academia. Having a shorter attention span or not being able to focus in class are traits often associated with having ADHD. But it’s important to remember that ADHD is a neurological condition and not a set of personality traits. While you may find yourself zoning out during a boring lecture, or your attention span has shortened with the rise of short-form content online, that’s not a one-stop diagnosis for ADHD. People who have ADHD are affected by it in all aspects of their life, not just in school. It is a persistent neurological condition that affects peoples’ relationships, careers, and everyday lives.
There is No One Solution to Tackling ADHD
Social media has a tendency to generalize everything. It’s why many people may feel like they have ADHD after watching a TikTok about it. And many creators have also created videos about how to manage symptoms of ADHD. Whether you have it or not, it’s important to take these videos lightly as well. The only person who can tell you how you can manage your ADHD is a licensed professional. ADHD is a deeply personal condition and there is no one way to manage it. Each person is affected in unique ways that require unique treatments. This is not just true of ADHD but of all things — I’ve looked to TikTok for tricks to get better sleep or managing stress, but not all techniques work for me. The same is true for ADHDTok.
Do Not Find Solutions Yourself
The panel made an important point about the rise of adderall use in college. It’s been found that many students purchase adderall from their friends in order to focus on important homework assignments. This is extremely unsafe and illegal! Using unprescribed medications of any form can have detrimental effects on your health. If you think you really need it, book an appointment with a professional instead of finding the solution yourself. USC hosts Drug Take Back Days every November and April. If you find yourself abusing these substances, you can dispose of them anonymously.
There Are Resources for You
That being said, there are ways for you to get professionally tested for ADHD. As a USC student, these resources are free and easily at your disposal. These include:
Counseling and Mental Health Services
Office of Student Accessibility Services (OSAS)
USC Student Health 24/7 Call Center at (213) 740-9355 (WELL)
And if we’re talking social media, you can also follow @USCTrojanHealthHub on Instagram for reliable information and upcoming events. Even if you aren’t diagnosed with ADHD, Student Health can still help with managing stress and finding specific habits that work for your unique life.
The Kortshak Learning Center also provides free psychoeducational assessments to students. These assessments have you list everything you’re struggling with, determine if these struggles may be linked to a disorder, and put you on a waitlist if their services will help. This three-step resource can help you from accidentally diagnosing yourself with something you don’t have.
Social media is notorious for spreading misinformation but it has also increased the conversation surrounding ADHD. If you truly think you have it, this article’s not meant to dissuade you from getting tested for it. I just urge you to be more cautious, because I, like many others, have been caught in the social media trap, too.
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The panel was hosted by USC Annenberg faculty member and USC News editor David Medzerian and featured Dr. J. Batra, Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs for Behavioral Health Services at Keck Medicine of USC; Dr. Jiyun Kang of USC Counseling and Mental Health Services; and Dr. Kelly Liao of the USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy.
