What did the University of Toronto study find?

The study found that mental health education can trigger a mistaken belief in young adults that common issues like tiredness and irritability are symptoms of ADHD.

How did the 'nocebo effect' impact ADHD self-diagnosis?

A lesson on the 'nocebo effect' - where negative expectations can worsen symptoms - cut false ADHD self-diagnosis rates in half among study participants.

What is the current ADHD referral trend in the UK?

ADHD referrals in the UK increased by 13.5% in the past year, reaching up to 20,000 new assessments in March 2025, raising concerns about overdiagnosis.

Home / Health / Nocebo Effect Halves False ADHD Self-Diagnosis in Young Adults, Study Finds

Nocebo Effect Halves False ADHD Self-Diagnosis in Young Adults, Study Finds

13 Nov

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Summary

Study finds mental health education can trigger mistaken ADHD beliefs
Lesson on 'nocebo effect' cuts false self-diagnosis rates in half
ADHD referrals in UK up 13.5% in past year, raising overdiagnosis concerns

Nocebo Effect Halves False ADHD Self-Diagnosis in Young Adults, Study Finds

According to a study published in 2025, researchers from the University of Toronto have found that while mental health education is crucial, it can also trigger a mistaken belief that common issues young adults face, like tiredness and irritability, are symptoms of ADHD.

The study's lead author, Dasha Sandra, explained that believing you have a disorder can help make sense of confusing experiences, but a false self-diagnosis could prevent someone from getting an accurate diagnosis or addressing real challenges in their life. It also diverts resources from those who need help due to an underlying neurodevelopmental condition.