Online misinformation about ADHD and autism a ‘significant public health risk’, nurses warn
Nurses warn they are having to “constantly” battle misinformation spread on social media
Nurses warn they are having to “constantly” battle misinformation as social media muddies public understanding of ADHD and autism, damaging morale and leaving staff on the “front line of confusion, fear and scepticism".
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While social media has helped break down some of the stigma surrounding ADHD and autism, nurses have warned it is also fuelling widespread misunderstanding about what the conditions really are.
Speaking at the Royal College of Nursing’s annual congress, nurses said long waiting lists, complex symptoms and an unstable political climate were pushing patients towards unreliable online sources for clinical advice.
They warned the spread of misinformation was having a direct impact on frontline staff, with one RCN nurse describing the constant need to correct false claims as “emotionally exhausting and time-consuming”.
Charlotte Glynn, chair of the union’s Women’s Health Forum, told delegates: “While myths and misinformation have always existed in healthcare, the speed and reach of online information today means that false and sometimes dangerous claims can spread to large audiences almost instantly.”
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Mental health nurse Clare Manley highlighted that social media has created a surge in demand for services in autism and ADHD.
She said platforms such as TikTok and Instagram have helped people have “open conversations and reduced stigma” but also “heightened expectations” and in some cases have led to a “misunderstanding of what ADHD and autism truly are”.
“This inflammation of public perception places strain on stretched services and individuals,” Ms Manley said.
“Nurses navigate longer waiting lists, complex presentations, and a growing pressure to deliver rapid answers in a system designed for thoughtful, evidence-based assessment. It affects morale, retention, and the emotional labour that we carry.
“For patients, social media can shape expectations in ways that don’t always align with clinical reality. Many arrive hoping for instant diagnoses or instant treatment, and more importantly, instant transformation.”
Annafleur van Mourik Broekman, who works in public health education specialising in vaccination, told delegates she deals with the impact of misinformation “every single day”.
She also stressed that nurses are also members of the public and are “not immune” to misinformation.
“I think we’re seeing the tip of the iceberg now, and I fear we’re not prepared for what is to come,” Ms Mourik Broekman said.
“AI-generated misinformation content has been identified as a significant risk to public health in multiple scientific studies, and has potential to deliver personalised information and advice. I think this is a threat we should take really, really seriously."
Responding to the debate, Professor Lynn Woolsey, chief nursing officer at the Royal College of Nursing, said: “There has been a worrying rise in health misinformation online and via social media in recent years, which is a direct threat to patient safety.
“Patients are being misinformed and left confused, while nursing staff are too often having to correct misinformation. It is leading to dangerous consequences for patients, including vaccine hesitancy and refusing evidence-based treatment.
“Nursing staff are highly educated clinical experts, but they need support in challenging the rise in health misinformation. It cannot be left to nursing staff alone to push back on dangerous narratives and misinformation.”
Peace Yaa Akorli, of the RCN’s eastern region, said: “Nurses are increasingly placed on the front line of confusion, fear, and public scepticism.
“As nurses, we are often the first person patients turn to for reassurance and clarity. But constantly correcting misinformation can be emotionally exhausting, time consuming and, at times, damaging the trust between the healthcare professionals and the community.
“This has a direct impact on the nursing workforce; increased stress, burnout, verbal abuse, and frustration contribute to low morale and staff retention challenges.
“Nurses are expected to not only provide safe clinical care, but also to fight an ongoing battle against myths and false narratives.”
However, Ms Akorli said the situation is also an “opportunity” for nurses, who can “rebuild the trust and empower patients too with accurate information”.