"When You’re Diagnosed with Autism—by TikTok" by Lucy Kross Wallace
Published on August 3, 2021 When You’re Diagnosed with Autism—by TikTok written by Lucy Kross Wallace Do you ever seek reassurance, overspend, get angry over small things, fear abandonment, or pretend to be happy? If so, you might be suffering from anxiety , self-harm , ADHD , a wounded inner child , and something called “ smiling depression ”—at least according to the gurus of the video-sharing site TikTok, where the hashtag #selfdiagnosis has accrued over 13.5 million views. In many of the most widely surfed parts of the online world, it turns out, having a psychiatric condition isn’t just acceptable; it’s quirky, trendy, even desirable. It offers a victim-based identity, an excuse for one’s shortcomings, and a source of moral authority. I’m not talking about reputable social-media accounts, including those run by doctors and therapists, which shed light on stigmatized conditions and aim to educate the public. Some