Canadian singer and Elon Musk’s ex-girlfriend, Grimes, opened up about her ADHD and autism diagnoses on X (formerly Twitter), igniting a debate on the mental health subculture. The musician retweeted a post from an ADHD account, arguing how online discourse on mental health is a “big concern.” She added that the subculture gears towards “making people worse” and leading to self-diagnosing. While some agreed with Grimes’ arguments, others countered with the scientific and experiential nuances of ADHD and autism diagnosis.
Grimes reveals she was recently diagnosed with ADHD and autism
I have to say, there’s this subculture of I guess “mental health” accounts that I actually think are like, extreme infohazards.
Got diagnosed w adhd/ autism this year and realized I’m prob dyslexic which is why I can’t spell at all without spellcheck – I feel like, had we… https://t.co/2zzT91z0QJ— ?????? ⏳ (@Grimezsz) March 22, 2025
Elon Musk’s ex-girlfriend Grimes got candid in her latest tweet on her ADHD-autism diagnosis. On March 22, the singer replied to an ADHD account’s take on mental health, calling such content “extreme infohazards.” She talked about getting diagnosed with ADHD and autism this year while speculating she was dyslexic. Additionally, she tapped into self-diagnosis and the role of social media in shaping perceptions of neurodivergence.
The post she replied to mentioned a TikTok video on “how excessive reading in childhood is a sign of dissociation.” The artist suggested that it pathologized “one of the best things a child can do to help with adhd.” Consequently, such implications might contribute to a rise in ADHD-autism self-diagnosis, calling it a “so dark” concern. Remarking on the “uninformed social media mental health subculture,” she argued it was “anti civilizational” and made people “worse.”
Grimes further suggested that “screen addiction and dopaminergic burn out” could exacerbate ADHD symptoms. Moreover, she claimed that “mental illnesses [could] be contagious” and an early diagnosis would have altered her approach to work and life.
Her tweet stirred a wave of reactions from X users. Commentators pushed back against her oversimplification of the disorder. In response, Grimes clarified she didn’t dismiss the reality of ADHD but criticized the way social media pathologized behaviors. For instance, due to certain behaviors like shortened attention spans caused by excessive online exposure, neurotypical individuals self-diagnose themselves with ADHD.
This was not the first time Grimes was open about mental health, and the openness about her ADHD-autism diagnosis called for a need to balance awareness with responsible discourse. Regardless of the controversy, her post underscores the broader culture of such discussions, pushing for a deeper understanding.