THE SOCIAL MEDIA MIRROR
Women's Health South Africa|May - June 2023
TIKTOK AND INSTAGRAM VIDEOS ARE LEADING MORE WOMEN TO SELFDIAGNOSE WITH FORMS OF NEURODIVERSITY SUCH AS ADHD AND AUTISM. BUT EXPERTS ARE WARY OF NUANCELACKING MENTAL HEALTH CONTENT MADE FOR VIEWS. WH REFLECTS ON THIS GROWING ISSUE.
LAUREN KROUSE 
THE SOCIAL MEDIA MIRROR

Throughout her life, Caitlin Manner, 39, has been surrounded by people whose brains work in unique ways. Her mom, dad, sister, brother and one of her sons all have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ADHD). Her oldest and youngest are on the autism spectrum. She thought she was the exception until she went on TikTok.

A busy mom in a military family, Caitlin struggled to manage her sons’ medical appointments on top of school, sports and the housework. She tried keeping open planners in her bedroom, office and kitchen to ensure she didn’t forget anything. But in the early months of 2021, she missed a crucial appointment that her oldest needed to continue speech therapy. The family’s health insurance company made them jump through all sorts of hoops to get coverage, and they’d already waited weeks for a coveted slot. Now, they'd have to wait three months to snag a new one. It was really frustrating because I knew how important it was and still couldn’t keep track of it,” says Caitlin. Despite her best efforts, her system wasn’t working.

It was mid-pandemic and, like many of us desperate for a social outlet during that time, Caitlin started spending more time on TikTok. It was a life preserver for those long days,” she says. Videos about ADHD began to pop up on her For You page FYP), recommendations pulled by TikTok’s algorithm. Caitlin found herself relating to others’ stories like how she could hop from chore to chore, never quite finishing any of them. And by the end of the day, my house is a fricking mess and I haven’t accomplished anything,” she recalls, quoting a video. When Caitlin heard that, she thought: This is me.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May - June 2023 من Women's Health South Africa.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May - June 2023 من Women's Health South Africa.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من WOMEN'S HEALTH SOUTH AFRICA مشاهدة الكل
Irreconcilable Differences?
Women's Health South Africa

Irreconcilable Differences?

You’re one-upping your partner on all health fronts and now your relationship has more tension than your new resistance bands. Here’s how to get over the hurdle of mismatched goals.

time-read
4 mins  |
July - August 2024
Hot And Bothered
Women's Health South Africa

Hot And Bothered

Inflammation is all the rage in health conversations right now and research is establishing it as a major player in all sorts of issues you don't want to deal with. But! You can safeguard yourself from the smokin' internal inferno with these smart strategies.

time-read
3 mins  |
July - August 2024
Self-esteem under the microscope
Women's Health South Africa

Self-esteem under the microscope

The term brings to mind positive-thinking memes with sunset backdrops and swirly lettering. But could I you sum up self-esteem when asked as part of a pub quiz? Didn't think so. And there's more at stake here than winning the points.

time-read
7 mins  |
July - August 2024
the reset
Women's Health South Africa

the reset

IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO START OVER

time-read
1 min  |
July - August 2024
Mind Over Muscle
Women's Health South Africa

Mind Over Muscle

Could you level up your strength training just by putting your mind to it?

time-read
2 mins  |
July - August 2024
ON BEING THE HEROINE OF YOUR OWN LIFE
Women's Health South Africa

ON BEING THE HEROINE OF YOUR OWN LIFE

Olympian. All-African Games winner. African champion. Record-breaker. Javelin athlete Jo-Ané van Dyk talks mental fortitude and what it takes to live up to your own hype. If there's one thing she can do, it's to throw down. And it's all about to reach peak levels.

time-read
4 mins  |
July - August 2024
Why Women Are Choosing to Be Child-Free
Women's Health South Africa

Why Women Are Choosing to Be Child-Free

The choice can be liberating, yet stigmas persist. Here, how to cut through the noise with clarity and confidence to make the decision that's right for *you.*

time-read
7 mins  |
July - August 2024
FUEL YOUR SKIN
Women's Health South Africa

FUEL YOUR SKIN

Inside your body, there's a crew of unsung protein heroes that scientists believe are the key to a healthy, glowing complexion. Heads-up: your routine is about to change for the better.

time-read
5 mins  |
July - August 2024
How To Be Decisive
Women's Health South Africa

How To Be Decisive

You could use a Magic 8 ball to help you make a choice. Or, while you're waiting to 'ask again later', let our experts explain the best ways to get unstuck.

time-read
5 mins  |
July - August 2024
Build A Strong Base
Women's Health South Africa

Build A Strong Base

You heard it here: the pelvic floor is the forgotten core - and you're selling yourself short by waiting for a specific life stage to train it. Your four-move workout is here.

time-read
1 min  |
July - August 2024