2024/09/27 by Lupton, Deborah, Southerton, Clare
#ADHD #TikTok #autism #digital cultures #digital media #health #identity #platform #self-diagnosis #self-optimisation #sociology
paper · doi:10.12759/hsr.49.2024.29
In recent times, the micro-video sharing platform TikTok has become extremely popular globally, especially among young people. Psychological and medical topics are among the diverse array of issues addressed on Tik-Tok, sometimes sparking controversies over how “accurate” or helpful the information is. One such issue concerns TikTok content relating to self-diagnosis of neurodivergent conditions such as autism and ADHD. A dominant portrayal of this phenomenon focuses on the possibilities for self-optimisation such diagnoses can offer. In this article, we discuss these is-sues from a sociomaterial perspective, recognising the gatherings of hu-mans, digital platforms, content, and the affective and relational connections that comprise TikTok assemblages. Digital sociology is brought to-gether with health sociology and the sociology of diagnosis to explore how TikToks about self-diagnosis of ADHD and autism contribute to broader discourses and practices related to self-optimisation. In particular, the so-cioeconomic and cultural dimensions of health and identity issues on Tik-Tok are highlighted. We delve into the contestations over power and au-thority as they receive expression both in TikToks and off the platform in medical/“psy” apparatuses of expertise. In so doing, both the possibilities and the limitations for digitised and algorithmic self-optimisation related to self-diagnosis via digital media are identified.