Increasing self- and desired psychiatric diagnoses among emerging adults: Mixed-methods insights from clinical psychologists
Recent Publication
Young adults are increasingly self-diagnosing themselves with mental illnesses such as ADHD or autism and seeking confirmation from therapists - according to a survey of 93 Austrian psychologists. The trend is increasing noticeably, primarily affecting educated women with high online consumption and is driven by motives such as guilt reduction or identity reinforcement. Professionals report more complicated sessions: Those affected are less open, react disgruntled to deviations and thus prolong the diagnosis process considerably. This dynamic is partly created by online communities that push neurodiversity as a symbol of recognition. This article was written in cooperation between the Research Centre Transitional Psychiatry and the Division of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine (University Hospital Tulln) and is freely accessible thanks to open access funding from KL.
Neumann, M., Steiner-Hofbauer, V., Aigner, M., Höflich, A., Holzinger, A., & Mittmann, G. (2026). Increasing self- and desired psychiatric diagnoses among emerging adults: Mixed-methods insights from clinical psychologists. International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology, 26(1), 100661. Article 100661. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijchp.2025.100661
Mag. Dr. Verena Steiner-Hofbauer
Head of
Research Centre Transitional Psychiatry
Prim. Univ.-Prof. PD Dr. Martin Aigner
Division of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine (University Hospital Tulln)
OÄ PD DDr. Anna Höflich
Division of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine (University Hospital Tulln)
Dr. Gloria Mittmann MSc
Scientific Staff (PostDoc)
Research Centre Transitional Psychiatry