The 'symptom borrowing' phenomenon on TikTok: How do algorithms affect mental health?

Joseph Newton, who previously suffered from OCD and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and launched an app to combat health anxiety, called the phenomenon “symptom borrowing.”

He says that TikTok's smart algorithms show the user more clips similar to those he has watched or shown interest in. If he watches a clip about diagnosing a specific condition, dozens of similar clips will stream to him, fueling anxiety and making him search his body and mind for symptoms that may not even exist.

The warning comes months after a study by the University of East Anglia (UEA) warned that inaccurate posts about ADHD and autism on social media may encourage young people to believe they have the conditions. The study, which examined more than 5,000 posts on different platforms, found that “misinformation was consistently higher on TikTok compared to other platforms.”

A Canadian study also revealed that more than half of the TikTok clips about ADHD were misleading, and most of them were posted by non-specialized people.

Newton defines “symptom borrowing” as the process of observing, reinterpreting, and anticipating the sensations and behaviors a person witnesses online. He explains that attention, expectation, and anxiety can amplify physical feelings or everyday behaviors that previously went unnoticed.

He also warns that the platforms' recommendation algorithms may make rare disorders seem familiar and personally relevant.

Newton offers some signs that indicate that a person may have fallen into the trap of “metaphorizing symptoms,” including: noticing a behavior or physical sensation for the first time only after watching a video about it. Interpreting normal daily experiences (such as fatigue after going out, procrastinating at work, or shyness in gatherings) as evidence of a physical or psychological illness. The interpretation of the viewer itself differs depending on the content displayed. Fatigue may be attributed one day to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and another day to job exhaustion.

Newton believes that examining symptoms after watching educational content is normal, but warns that repetition may turn it into continuous monitoring that increases fear instead of dissipating it.

It is recommended to set a clear limit: write down concerns, stay away from the content of the symptoms, and consult a specialist doctor or a reliable source. He confirms that "one conversation with a doctor is more useful than spending an hour watching conflicting video clips."

The researchers stress that the phenomenon of “symptom borrowing” does not mean that the symptoms are imaginary or that the sufferers are pretending. Rather, increased awareness may make them focus on feelings that they previously ignored, but the real danger lies in the delay in diagnosing those who actually need medical help.

For its part, the TikTok platform defended itself, considering that the studies it criticizes are “flawed and based on outdated research,” stressing that it removes harmful content and provides reliable information from the World Health Organization.