The Otago Daily Times recently visited the University of Otago campus, where students said they had "absolutely" seen this trend within their social circles.
While welcoming increasing awareness of mental health, academics are warning the trend could lead to misdiagnosis and students should instead be consulting medical professionals.
However, one researcher agreed social media influencers were filling a void caused by a lack of access to mental health professionals.
One student said members of their social circle wanted to have "ADHD or autism for some reason".
"Yeah, people around me are starting to say ‘I’m ADHD, depressed, autistic, have anxiety’, and they’ve decided that based on what they’ve seen on TikTok, but never actually went and got a diagnosis or anything like that.
"It’s a big trend to be mentally ill or have some kind of disorder at the moment," the student said.
According to the students, the rise of "mental health TikTok" — a community in the app built around content on the topic such as "five signs you have ADHD" — meant people were diagnosing themselves when they identified with symptoms mentioned in social media videos.
Cultural studies master’s student Charlotte Jolly, who is researching how people form individual and group identities around a "trending" disorder, said there had "definitely" been an increase in self-diagnosis using social media.
She believed the culture of self-diagnosis emerged from the uncertain world students were facing and a severe lack of mental health support and resources.
Women had also been historically underdiagnosed with both ADHD and autism.
Having a diagnosis could offer an empowering and affirming narrative through which people could understand their struggles.
"There is something seductive about diagnosis in that it can promise a sense of stability."
"I worry that the solutions presented on social media tend to create more work for the person who is struggling and stifle conversations around collective solutions."
Miss Jolly also said drawing a line between those who were struggling because it was "trendy" and those who were "genuinely struggling" was not helpful.
Clinical psychologist Brian Dixon said those being formally diagnosed with ADHD had increased over the previous five years.
He also believed the number of people self-identifying had increased.
However, he warned diagnosing ADHD was not as simple as social media influencers made out.
"There is a lot more to it than just ticking boxes for ADHD symptoms," he said.
University of Otago ADHD researcher Associate Prof Dione Healey said there were dangers in self-diagnosing.
"It’s not necessarily helpful to seek resources and treatment for a disorder that you may not have.
"The first step is usually to talk to your GP and be referred for an assessment."
Otago students can go to Student Health and seek an assessment.
However, there were difficulties in getting appointments for specialists.
A student said her sister, also a student, believed after watching videos she might have ADHD.
"She is actively trying to see a specialist, but getting a referral is one thing.
"You’re then chucked on a list that is months long."
Her sister eventually attempted to go private.
