AI Analysis Links Reddit Hate Speech Patterns to Psychiatric Forums

A recent study has revealed that posts within hate speech communities on Reddit exhibit speech pattern similarities to those found in forums dedicated to certain psychiatric disorders. Conducted by researchers Dr. Andrew William Alexander and Dr. Hongbin Wang from Texas A&M University, this analysis was published in the open-access journal PLOS Digital Health on July 29, 2025.

The study emerges amid growing concerns regarding the influence of social media on the dissemination of hate speech and misinformation, which can contribute to prejudice, discrimination, and violence. Previous research has identified links between specific personality traits and the act of posting hate speech or misinformation online. However, the relationship between psychological well-being and such online behavior has remained less clear.

To explore this connection, Alexander and Wang employed artificial intelligence tools to analyze posts from 54 Reddit communities categorized by hate speech, misinformation, and psychiatric disorders, as well as neutral groups for comparison. The selected communities included r/ADHD, which discusses attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; r/NoNewNormal, dedicated to COVID-19 misinformation; and r/Incels, a group banned for hate speech.

Using the large-language model GPT-3, the researchers converted thousands of posts from these communities into numerical representations that captured their underlying speech patterns. These numerical embeddings were then analyzed using machine-learning techniques and a mathematical approach known as topological data analysis.

The findings indicated that speech patterns in hate speech communities share notable similarities with those in forums for complex post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as borderline, narcissistic, and antisocial personality disorders. While the links between misinformation and psychiatric disorders were less definitive, there were some connections observed to anxiety disorders.

It is crucial to note that these findings do not imply that individuals with psychiatric disorders are more likely to engage in hate speech or spread misinformation. The researchers highlighted that there was no way to ascertain whether the analyzed posts were made by individuals diagnosed with any disorders.

The authors suggest that their findings could inform new strategies to combat online hate speech and misinformation. They propose integrating therapeutic elements developed for psychiatric disorders into these strategies.

“Our results show that the speech patterns of those participating in hate speech online have strong underlying similarities with those participating in communities for individuals with certain psychiatric disorders,” stated Alexander. Notably, he identified Cluster B personality disorders—which include Narcissistic Personality Disorder, Antisocial Personality Disorder, and Borderline Personality Disorder—as particularly relevant to these patterns.

These disorders are generally characterized by a lack of empathy for others and difficulties in managing relationships. Alexander further elaborated, “While we looked for similarities between misinformation and psychiatric disorder speech patterns, the connections we found were far weaker. Most individuals spreading misinformation appear to be psychologically healthy.”

He emphasized the importance of understanding these dynamics, stating, “I want to clarify that these results do not suggest that individuals with psychiatric conditions are more likely to engage in hate speech. Instead, it indicates that people who engage in hate speech online tend to exhibit speech patterns similar to those with Cluster B personality disorders.”

Alexander concluded with a cautionary note: “Exposure to these types of communities for extended periods can be detrimental to empathy and emotional well-being, potentially fostering traits akin to those seen in Cluster B personality disorders.”

Further research is needed to explore these associations and their implications for mental health and online behavior. The study underscores the critical need for awareness and intervention strategies in the realm of social media discourse.