Online Health Community

A digital space where individuals with shared health conditions, disabilities, or wellness concerns connect to exchange information, provide emotional support, share experiences, and discuss treatment options. Traditional OHCs are typically hosted on dedicated forums or platforms with explicit moderation and opt-in membership. More recently, "unbounded" online health communities have emerged on mainstream social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter, where people encounter health-related content organically through algorithmic recommendation rather than intentional search. These communities are particularly valuable for people with stigmatized or underdiagnosed conditions such as ADHD, providing validation, peer support, and practical coping strategies that may not be available through formal healthcare channels.