TikTok is witnessing a disturbing new trend. This trend is unlike other trends such as the anti-vaxxer nonsense or the milk crate challenge, and doctors are concerned about children's neurological health.
Motherboard reported that TikTok users are becoming more disproportionately girls and young women, with tics similar to Tourette syndrome. Experts blame the stress of isolation, the COVID-19 pandemic, and exposure to other tics via social media.
According to Davide Martino, a University of Calgary neurologist, it is an epidemic in the pandemic.
Although it may seem unlikely that teens develop tics from just watching videos online, scientists are serious about the issue. Research published in the journal Movement Disorders last week shows an increase in tics in girls aged 12-25 during the pandemic.
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This highlights a key distinction between Tourette Syndrome (and what TikTok users experience) Tourette is more common in younger people, tends to affect boys and causes less severe tics. Many of those who reported these newer tics had also suffered from anxiety and mood disorders.
Scientists coined functional tic-like behavior to describe rapid onset of symptoms due to these differences. Experts told Motherboard that this difference doesn't make the symptoms less real.
Martino stated that they cannot stop and that they have witnessed it firsthand. We need compassion and dedication to help the families and patients we speak to.
