Why the "Sickfluencer" Backlash Is a Sexist Moral Panic, According to a Psychologist

The internet has a new villain, and it’s the“sickfluencer”— creators who share their chronic illness and disability experiences on social media. Critics claim these creators are faking symptoms for attention, or that seeing diagnoses online is causing a“social contagion”where everyone suddenly thinks they’re sick. Slate’s ICYMI podcast just tackled the controversy head-on, and the conversation is worth your time.

Host Kate Lindsay sat down with social psychologist Devon Price, who authoredUnmasking AutismandLaziness Does Not Exist. His argument? The panic is overblown, the criticism causes real harm, and much of it is rooted in sexism. The people targeted by this backlash are overwhelmingly women, which tracks with centuries of women’s health concerns being dismissed and doubted.

For millions of people living with chronic conditions, platforms like TikTok and Instagram aren’t about clout — they’re about finding community, sharing information, and finally feeling seen. Accusing them of lying doesn’t just hurt individual creators. It signals that certain voices don’t deserve to be believed about their own bodies.

So where do you draw the line between healthy skepticism and a full-on witch hunt? Let us know in the comments.