Are We All "Glitching," or Just Human? The Trend of Pathologizing Normal Emotions

The human experience is notoriously messy. We forget our keys, we get annoyed by loud chewers, and we sometimes argue with our partners. But scrolling through social media, you might be convinced these aren't just normal quirks of existence—they are severe clinical symptoms.

The trend of pathologizing normal emotions—treating standard, everyday experiences as symptoms of clinical disorders—has taken over our feeds. It's a fascinating phenomenon born out of a genuine desire for self-understanding, but it often replaces the nuance of real diagnostic medicine with generalized "symptom lists" that turn universal human feelings into rigid badges of identity.

Neurodivergence: The "Everyone is a Little..." Trap

It's entirely natural to want an explanation for why our brains occasionally stutter. On platforms like TikTok, creators frequently list common behaviors as definitive signs of ADHD or Autism, sometimes combining them into "AuDHD."

• "Glitching" or "Buffering": We've all walked into a room and completely forgotten why we're there. Online, this is frequently labeled as "executive dysfunction" or a "neurodivergent glitch." But the simplest answer isn't always a complex neurological condition; it's often just that the human brain gets distracted.
• Sensory "Icks": Disliking the texture of velvet or being profoundly annoyed by the sound of someone eating loudly is routinely pathologized as "Sensory Processing Disorder." While sensory issues are very real for neurodivergent individuals, simple personal preferences and pet peeves are universal.
• Hyper-Fixation on Hobbies: Losing a weekend to a brand-new project—a normal state of psychological "flow"—is often presented as a "symptom" of ADHD, glossing over the fact that neurotypical people also fall deeply down hobby rabbit holes.

When we look at the actual data, the picture becomes clear. Recent peer-reviewed studies on TikTok ADHD content reveal that over 50% of the most-viewed videos contain misleading information, frequently over-pathologizing behaviors that are completely common in the general population.

Relationship Dynamics: Weaponizing Therapy Speak

Relationships are inherently difficult. They require compromise, patience, and the ability to navigate friction. Lately, however, standard relationship friction is being labeled with clinical terminology that carries incredibly heavy baggage. We are taking the very real trauma of psychological abuse and misapplying it to ordinary disagreements. To avoid confirmation bias, we need to actively try to prove these labels wrong before applying them to our loved ones.

• "Gaslighting" for Disagreements: "Gaslighting" is now commonly used to describe any situation where two people remember an event differently. The hidden assumption here is that your partner possesses the logistical capacity and malicious intent to orchestrate a long-term campaign of psychological manipulation against you. In reality, human memory is famously flawed.
• "Love Bombing" vs. Early Excitement: Being overly enthusiastic during the "honeymoon phase" of a new relationship is frequently flagged as a "narcissistic red flag" for love bombing. Sometimes, people are just excited to meet you.
• "Toxic" and "Boundary" Overuse: Setting a healthy personal boundary is about protecting your own peace. However, "boundaries" are increasingly weaponized to control others (e.g., "My boundary is you can't talk to your ex"). That isn't a boundary; that's a rule.

Using plain English instead of pseudo-technical therapy jargon often reveals the truth of a situation much faster. If you're annoyed with your partner, it's okay to simply be annoyed. They don't have to be a "toxic narcissist" for your feelings to be valid.

Emotional Regulation: The "Quick Fix" Pseudoscience

Social media thrives on "hack" culture. We are constantly sold the idea that deeply complex emotional states can be cured with simple physical actions, bypassing the messy reality of actual mental health care.

• The "Orange in the Shower" Hack: A massive viral trend claimed that peeling and eating a cold orange in a hot, steamy shower could "reset" your nervous system and instantly cure anxiety. While sensory experiences can certainly be grounding and pleasant, they are not clinical treatments for psychiatric conditions.
• "Self-Undiagnosis" and Jokes: On the flip side, some creators jokingly "undiagnose" themselves through comedic leaps of logic, like claiming a good meal "cured" their eating disorder, or that they don't have PTSD because they aren't military veterans. While humor can be a great way to engage with tough subjects, using it to trivialize the severity of real diagnoses can be harmful.
• "Vibe-Based" Diagnostics: This involves using aesthetic choices—like how you decorate your bedroom or your music taste—as "secret" indicators of Bipolar Disorder or Borderline Personality Disorder. We must be cautious of forcing patterns where none exist; just because you like moody lighting doesn't mean you require a psychiatric evaluation.

Why This is Happening: The Algorithm's Echo Chamber

Why are we so eager to diagnose ourselves? The answer largely lies in the algorithmic design of the platforms we use, which are explicitly built to prioritize "relatability."

When a user watches a video titled "5 Signs You Have ADHD" and relates to a few of the incredibly broad symptoms—like "forgetting where you put your keys"—the algorithm takes note. It then feeds the user more of the exact same content. Before long, the user is trapped in an echo chamber, viewing their entire personality and every minor mistake through a clinical lens, long before they ever consult a medical professional.

Often, the hidden agenda is simply an influencer driving engagement, views, and affiliate sales, rather than providing sound medical advice.

The "Pathology" Comparison Table

To summarize, here is how normal human experiences are frequently distorted by the social media lens.

The desire to understand ourselves is a profoundly human trait. It is perfectly okay to say "I don't know" when we can't figure out why we feel a certain way. But the next time the internet tries to convince you that your messy bedroom is a medical condition, take a step back.

Sources:

1. Yeung, A., et al. (2022). TikTok and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Cross-Sectional Study of Social Media Content Quality. National Center for Biotechnology Information (PMC). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9659797/
2. Platt, R., et al. (2023). Quality and Perception of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Content on TikTok: Cross-Sectional Study. National Center for Biotechnology Information (PMC). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12614393/
3. Puder, M. (2025). How Therapy Speak Is Ruining Your Love Life. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/love-them-or-leave-them/202502/how-therapy-speak-is-ruining-your-love-life
4. Gillespie, A. (2025). Why "Therapy-Speak" Is Everywhere, and What to Do About It. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/outside-the-box/202504/why-therapy-speak-is-everywhere-and-what-to-do-about-it