Mental Health Information Seeking Online: A Google Trends Analysis of ADHD

Digital pathways to healthcare: a systematic review for unveiling the trends and insights in online health information-seeking behavior

The importance of seeking online health information cannot be overstated when addressing public health concerns. Researchers must comprehensively review the literature on online health information seeking to fully comprehend the underlying behaviors and trends that shape this phenomenon. This systematic review utilizes bibliometric methodologies and the scientometric software CiteSpace to thoroughly analyze journals from the Web of Science core collection database (n = 2,761), providing the theoretical groundwork for future research in this field. Three main findings emerged from the analysis: first, research on online health information-seeking behavior has steadily increased, indicating that it is a hot topic in academia. Second, the convergence trend with emerging information technologies such as big data, artificial intelligence, and social media is changing user behavior and how people search for health information. Third, there is a growing emphasis on understanding how factors such as the digital divide, social media influence, public health initiatives, risk perception, and health anxiety affect online health information-seeking behavior. The research suggests potential areas for future investigation, such as emerging technologies, digital inequalities, social media analysis, public health implications, and psychological factors in health information-seeking. These areas have the potential to inform evidence-based interventions and advance the understanding of critical issues in healthcare.

Online interest in ADHD predicts ADHD medication prescriptions in Australia from 2004 to 2023: A time-series analysis revealing COVID-19-related acceleration

OBJECTIVE

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication prescriptions in Australia have grown sharply in recent years. We examined the association between online interest in ADHD and prescriptions.

METHODS

Monthly Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and Repatriation PBS (RPBS) Item Reports of ADHD prescriptions and Australian ADHD-related Google Trends (GT) data (2004-2023) were sourced. We modelled the lagged effect of GT on ADHD medication prescriptions, using an autoregressive moving average model with autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity, adjusting for COVID-19 lockdown effects. Results were compared to a model of GT for pain-related searches and PBS/RPBS opioid prescriptions, and counterfactual alternatives: (1) ADHD-related GT and opioid prescriptions and (2) pain-related GT and ADHD prescriptions. We descriptively analysed additional ADHD-related online news data.

RESULTS

Annual prescriptions doubled from 1,424,904 in 2020 to 3,112,072 in 2023. ADHD medication prescriptions and ADHD-related GT considerably increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. GT had a statistically significant positive lagged association with ADHD prescriptions. Comparator models did not show statistically significant associations between GT and prescriptions. Online news data supported recently increased public interest in ADHD.

CONCLUSIONS

ADHD-related online interest predicts increased ADHD prescriptions, which was accentuated during the pandemic. Studies are needed to evaluate causal pathways, health information quality and sociodemographic determinants.

Real-World Adoption of Mental Health Support Among Adolescents: Cross-Sectional Analysis of the California Health Interview Survey

OBJECTIVE

We aim to examine: (a) the extent to which patterns of adoption of counseling services and digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) shifted in recent years (2019-2021); (b) the impact of distress on adoption of mental health support; and (c) reasons related to adolescents' low adoption of DMHIs when experiencing distress.

METHODS

Data were from three cohorts of adolescents aged 12-17 years (n = 847 in 2019; n = 1,365 in 2020; n = 1,169 in 2021) recruited as part of the California Health Interview Survey. We estimated logistic regression models to examine the likelihood of using mental health support as a function of psychological distress, sociodemographic characteristics, and cohorts. We also analyzed adolescents' self-reported reasons for not trying DMHIs as a function of distress.

RESULTS

The proportion of adolescents reporting elevated psychological distress (∼50%) was higher than those adopting counseling services (<20%) or DMHIs (<10%). A higher level of distress was associated with a greater likelihood of receiving counseling (OR = 1.15), and using DMHIs to connect with a professional (Odds ratio (OR) = 1.11) and for self-help (OR = 1.17). Among those experiencing high distress, adolescents' top reason for not adopting an online tool was a lack of perceived need (19.2%).

CONCLUSION

Adolescents' main barriers to DMHI adoption included a lack of perceived need, which may be explained by a lack of mental health literacy. Thoughtful marketing and dissemination efforts are needed to increase mental health awareness and normalize adoption of counseling services and DMHIs.

Online search strategies utilized in feigning attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) while performing a continuous performance test (CPT)

BACKGROUND

The availability of information regarding neuropsychological tests threatens their confidentiality. This concern may be particularly relevant to Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) considering its widespread online coverage. The present study explored simulators' online search strategies.

METHOD

Simulators (n = 39) searched for information before undergoing an evaluation which included performing a continuous performance test (CPT). Their search strategies were analyzed, and their performance was compared to that of ADHD patients (n = 36) and healthy controls (n = 38).

RESULTS

Most simulators reached high-risk websites that provided written and video-based information regarding the test. Sixty percent, comprised mostly of 3rd-year students, reached Google Scholar. These students were also easier to detect as simulators. Common strategies included performing the CPT in accordance with typical ADHD symptoms and avoiding the endorsement of both unusual and stereotypical symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Simulators can access online information that contains key test data. Higher education may increase the ability to reach academic research while decreasing the ability to convincingly feign impairment. While additional research is needed to examine coaching effects on neuropsychological testing, the risk to test security that many websites pose should be acknowledged and steps, including ones taken by test publishers, should be undertaken to minimize it.

The evolution of public attention in acute kidney injury and continuous renal replacement therapy: trends analysis from 2004 to 2024

Background

Acute kidney injury (AKI) and the need for Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) are critically important health concerns. This study analyzes global and regional Internet search queries to understand public attention in AKI and CRRT over time.

Methods

We used Google Trends™ to analyze search queries for AKI and CRRT from January 2004 to March 2024. The study examined global trends and detailed insights from the United States, including state-by-state breakdowns. We identified patterns, peaks of attention, and temporal trends in public attention, comparing regional variations across the US and top-ranking countries worldwide.

Results

Global attention in AKI peaked in October 2022, with Portugal, Zambia, and Spain showing the highest regional attention. Within the United States, peak attention was in February 2008. Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia were the top states that paid attention to AKI. Attention in CRRT peaked globally in March 2024. South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain have led the global attention to CRRT. In the United States, peak attention was in April 2020. West Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky showed the highest state-specific attention in CRRT.

Conclusions

This study reveals significant temporal and geographical variations in online search patterns for AKI and CRRT, suggesting evolving public attention to these critical health issues. This knowledge can guide the development of targeted public health initiatives, enhance medical education efforts, and help healthcare systems tailor their approach to improving awareness and outcomes in kidney health across diverse populations.

Acceptance of a French e-Mental Health Information Website (CléPsy) for Families: A Web-Based Survey

Background

Childhood mental health issues concern a large amount of children worldwide and represent a major public health challenge. The lack of knowledge among parents and caregivers in this area hinders effective management. Empowering families enhances their ability to address their children's difficulties, boosts health literacy, and promotes positive changes. However, seeking reliable mental health information remains challenging due to fear, stigma, and mistrust of the sources of information.

Objective

This study evaluates the acceptance of a website, CléPsy, designed to provide reliable information and practical tools for families concerned about child mental health and parenting.

Methods

This study examines user characteristics and assesses ease of use, usefulness, trustworthiness, and attitude toward using the website. Platform users were given access to a self-administered questionnaire by means of mailing lists, social networks, and posters between May and July 2022.

Results

Findings indicate that the wide majority of the 317 responders agreed or somewhat agreed that the website made discussions about mental health easier with professionals (n=264, 83.3%) or with their relatives (n=260, 82.1%). According to the ANOVA, there was a significant effect between educational level and perceived trust (F6=3.03; P=.007) and between frequency of use and perceived usefulness (F2=4.85; P=.008).

Conclusions

The study underlines the importance of user experience and design in web-based health information dissemination and emphasizes the need for accessible and evidence-based information. Although the study has limitations, it provides preliminary support for the acceptability and usefulness of the website. Future efforts should focus on inclusive co-construction with users and addressing the information needs of families from diverse cultural and educational backgrounds.

A Google Trends Analysis of Interest in Nonbinary Identities

Emerging research on stigma suggests that society's mistreatment of nonbinary individuals can, in part, be attributed to public uncertainty and a lack of knowledge about nonbinary identities. In response to this, this study drew upon the theoretical framework of uncertainty management to explore research questions related to nonbinary identity and information behaviors by investigating uncertainty management as evidenced by longitudinal Google Trends data related to nonbinary gender identities. If individuals were found to be engaging in information seeking, the result of this behavior may be that they become less likely to hold stigmatizing attitudes toward nonbinary people, and ultimately be less likely to engage in discrimination toward them. Results indicated that indeed there has been an increase in search volume interest related to nonbinary identities in the past decade. The study concludes by presenting the need for further research to clarify the nature of the relationship between stigma and information seeking, as well as presenting a quandary for researchers regarding the desire for more detailed demographic data, as balanced with concerns for privacy.

The Worldwide Utilization of Online Information about Dementia from 2004 to 2022: An Infodemiological Study of Google and Wikipedia

With the advent of Infodemics about health conditions, including dementia, nurses can engage in infodemiological studies to inform public health services and policies. This infodemiological study described the worldwide utilization of online information for dementia using Google Trends and Wikipedia page views. It found that the utilization of online information about dementia increased and will further increase using Google in succeeding years. Thus, the Internet is an increasingly important medium for dementia information in this age of misinformation and disinformation. Nurse informaticists can perform national infodemiological studies to inform and contextualize online dementia information. Likewise, public health, geriatric, and mental health nurses can collaborate with their communities and patients to address online disinformation and create culturally-appropriate information about dementia.

Unpacking Inequities in ADHD Diagnosis: Examining Individual-Level Race/Ethnicity and State-Level Online Information-Seeking Patterns

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent, persistent, and costly mental health condition. The internet is an increasingly popular source for information related to ADHD. With a nationally representative sample (2018 NSCH), we aimed to separate individual- and state-level effects to examine inequities in ADHD diagnoses. We extracted state-level relative search volumes using "ADHD," "ADHD treatment," "ADHD medication," and "ADHD therapy" from Google Trends, and sociodemographic and clinical variables from the 2018 National Survey of Children's Health (N = 26,835). We examined state variation in ADHD-related information-seeking and applied multilevel modeling to examine associations among individual-level race/ethnicity, state-level information-seeking patterns, and ADHD diagnoses. Online information seeking related to ADHD varies by state and search term. Individual-level racial/ethnic background and state-level information-seeking patterns were associated with ADHD diagnoses; however, their cross-level interaction was not significant. This study adds to the strong body of evidence documenting geographical variation and diagnostic disparity in mental health and the growing literature on the impact of the digital divide on population health, indicating an urgent need for addressing inequities in mental health care. Increasing public interest in and access to empirically supported online information may increase access to care, especially among people of color.

Decreasing public interest in social psychiatry: An infodemiological study of worldwide Google search volumes from 2004 to 2021

BACKGROUND

While mental disorder is an 'intrinsically social phenomenon', social psychiatry has been reportedly declining. Addressing public interests in social psychiatry was among the suggestions to address this decline. In recent years, public interest in social psychiatry can be explored using Google Trends, an increasingly important infodemiological tool.

OBJECTIVE

This study determined changes in global online public interest in social psychiatry from January 2004 to December 2021 using Google search volumes.

METHODS

Search query using this keyword, 'Social Psychiatry (Topic)', was made using the Explore feature of Google Trends. The Region and Time Filters were set to 'Worldwide' and January 2004 to December 2021, respectively. Afterward, the search volumes, country ranking, queries, and topics returned by the Google Trends system was described and compared.

RESULTS

There was a generally decreasing trend in search volumes for social psychiatry where it decreased almost 10 times between 2004 and 2021. Only 11 countries were listed in Google Trends' ranking with the top countries including Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. Search-related topics and queries were about social psychiatry related concepts, related academic discipline, human resources, social interventions, and education activities.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that there is a decreasing public interest in social psychiatry. To improve this, social psychiatry can address public expectation through improving its connection with allied social sciences, increasing its educational activities, and expanding its social intervention services.

A Case of Pharmaceutical Messianism Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Infodemiological Study of Ivermectin in the Philippines

Pharmaceutical messianism is a manifestation of medical populism. It arises during extraordinary crises, is built on the familiar, endorsed by heterodox authorities, and involves a highly accessible panacea. Amid the politics and public desperation in the Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic, pharmaceutical messianism can be observed in the form of Ivermectin, a panacea offered to prevent and treat COVID-19. Thus, it may be worthwhile to determine the changes and patterns of public interest toward Ivermectin. This infodemiological study utilized and described Search Volume Index and related queries for Ivermectin from Google Trends vis-à-vis reported societal events in the Philippines to determine changes in public interest in Ivermectin use. It revealed that a tremendous increase in public interest in Ivermectin has emerged during surges of COVID-19 cases, endorsement by politicians and heterodox health authorities, and public distribution of Ivermectin. It also showed that public interest increased as the number of component characteristics of pharmaceutical messianism increased. Search-related queries and topics also showed that the public might be using the internet to inform themselves regarding the use of Ivermectin for humans, including its use for COVID-19. These findings suggest that people may study the endorsed panacea and weigh it against conventional and orthodox treatment during rising COVID-19 cases. Thus, easily understandable, highly searchable, reliable, and trustworthy online information is ever-crucial in this age of information and disinformation.

The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Digital Health-Seeking Behavior: Big Data Interrupted Time-Series Analysis of Google Trends

BACKGROUND

Due to the emergency responses early in the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of digital health in health care increased abruptly. However, it remains unclear whether this introduction was sustained in the long term, especially with patients being able to decide between digital and traditional health services once the latter regained their functionality throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE

We aim to understand how the public interest in digital health changed as proxy for digital health-seeking behavior and to what extent this change was sustainable over time.

METHODS

We used an interrupted time-series analysis of Google Trends data with break points on March 11, 2020 (declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic by the World Health Organization), and December 20, 2020 (the announcement of the first COVID-19 vaccines). Nationally representative time-series data from February 2019 to August 2021 were extracted from Google Trends for 6 countries with English as their dominant language: Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, and Ireland. We measured the changes in relative search volumes of the keywords online doctor, telehealth, online health, telemedicine, and health app. In doing so, we capture the prepandemic trend, the immediate change due to the announcement of COVID-19 being a pandemic, and the gradual change after the announcement.

RESULTS

Digital health search volumes immediately increased in all countries under study after the announcement of COVID-19 being a pandemic. There was some variation in what keywords were used per country. However, searches declined after this immediate spike, sometimes reverting to prepandemic levels. The announcement of COVID-19 vaccines did not consistently impact digital health search volumes in the countries under study. The exception is the search volume of health app, which was observed as either being stable or gradually increasing during the pandemic.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that the increased public interest in digital health associated with the pandemic did not sustain, alluding to remaining structural barriers. Further building of digital health capacity and developing robust digital health governance frameworks remain crucial to facilitating sustainable digital health transformation.

Googling "mental health" after mental health legislation and during the COVID-19 pandemic: an infodemiological study of public interest in mental health in the Philippines

BACKGROUND

Public interest in mental health in the Philippines can change after the Mental Health (MH) act approval and during the COVID-19 pandemic. To determine these changes, online searches in Google can be analyzed as an alternative measure.

AIMS

To determine the trends of public interest in mental health before and after the MH act approval and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHOD

Aggregated search volumes for mental health using the keyword, "Mental Health (Topic)" were gathered from Google Trends. Search volume indices (SVIs), and related queries were analyzed. SVIs from the different periods were compared using means, t test, ANOVA, and ARIMA.

RESULTS

Public interest in mental health increased after the MH Act approval and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The top and rising related queries revolved around mental health definitions, translations, factors, services, policy, adverse mental state, and its context during the pandemic.

CONCLUSIONS

These increased public interests may stem from aspirations for mental health after legislation and higher mental health needs during the pandemic. Related queries may indicate that the public may be using online information to search for mental health services and concepts. Thus, there is a need to improve reliable and trustworthy online mental health information and services.