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Cited by 59Psychosomatic Disorders and Their TreatmentsImpact of Technology on AdolescentsBody Image and Dysmorphia Studies

The tic in TikTok and (where) all systems go: Mass social media induced illness and Munchausen’s by internet as explanatory models for social media associated abnormal illness behavior

Giedinghagen, Andrea·2023·Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry
DOI 10.1177/13591045221098522
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Abstract

This paper explores the recent phenomenon of adolescents presenting en masse (both online and in clinical settings) with symptoms seemingly acquired from viewing illness-related content posted by social media influencers. The most frequently reproduced illnesses have included Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and Tourette Syndrome. It discusses evidence that the recent spate of new-onset, severe tics are a form of Mass Psychogenic Illness facilitated by social media networks (a phenomenon labeled Mass Social Media Induced Illness). It then suggests that many of those self-diagnosed with DID may be manifesting a similar, technologically-facilitated conversion phenomenon. It then explores another explanatory model: that these simulacra of DID and Tourette Syndrome may also arise via a mechanism more closely resembling social media facilitated Factitious Disorder. Similar presentations, of individuals falsifying cancer, have previously been labeled Munchausen’s by Internet. It then proposes an overarching construct, Social Media Associated Abnormal Illness Behavior (SMAAIB), that is agnostic regarding phenomenology. Within this framework, it explores the ways in which de-commodifying attention, connection and care (measured once in appointments and admissions, now in ‘likes’ and ‘shares’) and obtaining a full picture of the patient’s psychological, sociological and cultural grounding can offer deeper understanding and ultimately a path to wellness.

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Authors
Giedinghagen, A.
Affiliations
Washington University in St. Louis (US)
Corresponding author
Giedinghagen, Andrea
ORCID
Giedinghagen, Andrea
Venue
Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Published
2022-04-27
Volume
28
Issue
1
Pages
270-278
ISSN
  • 1359-1045 (ISSN-L)
  • 1461-7021
DOI
10.1177/13591045221098522
OpenAlex
W4225001715
Cited by
59
References
25
Citations by year
2026: 15 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 11
FWCI
7.17
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/text-and-data-mining-license (tdm)
Locations
  • Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Psychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Body Image and Dysmorphia Studies
Keywords
mass psychogenic illness, factitious disorder, dissociative identity disorder, Tourette syndrome, tics, social media influencers, adolescents, self-diagnosis, conversion disorder, attention economy
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Tourette Syndrome, Humans, Munchausen Syndrome, Tics, Illness Behavior, Social Media

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