ABSTRACT Background TikTok is a social media platform where users create and share videos. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of this site greatly expanded. Tic and Tourette syndrome content also increased dramatically along with the number of patients with tics in neurology clinics. Objectives We compared the phenomenology of “TikTok tics” to typical tic disorders. We chose to analyze the most widely viewed videos and therefore focused on the most popular content creators. Methods Videos with the keywords “tic,” “Tourette,” or “tourettes” were reviewed to identify content creators between March 11, 2020 and March 30, 2021. We performed a quantitative assessment of TikTok tics as well as a descriptive analysis of the entire series of videos of each content creator. Results The mean age of the cohort was 18.8 years old, and the majority were women. Unlike the predominance of facial movements in typical tics, arm movements were most frequent. Average tics per minute was 29, and almost all recorded TikTok tics were severe, causing significant disability. Whereas coprolalia and self-injurious behavior are only infrequently encountered in typical tic disorders, they were present in the overwhelming majority of TikTok subjects. Conclusions TikTok tics are distinct from what is typically seen in patients with Tourette syndrome, although share many characteristics with functional tics. We believe this to be an example of mass sociogenic illness, which involves behaviors, emotions, or conditions spreading spontaneously through a group. A modern clinician needs to remain abreast of social media sources as knowledge of media content is essential in managing patients in the current environment. Paywall, https://movementdisorders.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/mdc3.13316
Looking forward to when this group discovers planking and warns of an epidemic of mass depression reflecting a call for help. I do wonder how long will the ridiculous trope of "people are talking on the Internet, the thing invented to facilitate mass communication and reaches over 50% of the population, they're not supposed to do that" will be milked. At this point there isn't a single intact particle on the horse, it's been beaten to a thorough pulp.
