Stand up if when you feel an ache you instantly describe your concerns to google. Ok, I will stand up and likely jump first!
We’ve all been there. We feel unwell or a loved one does so we deicide to lean into the internet for some information . Maybe someone we know, love, or ourselves received a recent diagnosis so we decide to learn a little more about the condition. Maybe the health portal gave you a blood work result that came back a little elevated so you researched what this meant. I can only speak for myself when I say, this usually feels like a good idea at first. However for many, this feeling is sometimes followed with feelings of anxiety.
According to a recent article by the University of California about 80% of Americans have used the internet to self-diagnose health issues. With this number in mind, it is easy to no longer feel like you might be the only one relying on the internet for medical advice. However, utilizing search engines to provide us with medical information can leave us stressed and in some cases with misinformation.
This overreliance on the internet for medical-related information has been found to spark feelings of anxiety when it comes to health issues. In fact, the health-related anxiety associated with internet searches has earned itself a name of its own “Cyberchondria”. Cyberchondria means the fear of illness that is worsened by online searching. The internet is readily available and the information is accessible from anywhere however, this does not mean it is accurate. Additionally, increased access to this information has even sparked confusion around medical diagnosis.
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So what do we need to keep in mind?
-Websites could use unreliable sources to gather their information
-Websites can pay to be listed a top “hit” despite reliability of information
-Health information can summarized or simplified
-Information used could not be from by medical professionals
-Could share scientific or unscientific instead of clinical information
-Information could be shared by “influencers” versus a medical professional
So how can we protect ourselves from feeling the affect of Cyberchondria? Call your doctor with concerns. Consider this, health is individual and diagnosis are complicated. How one condition affects one person may not be how it affects you. As stated, the internet generalizes health information, bringing together the best and worst of the condition or symptoms. Combat Cyberchondria by working to change habits. Try considering how you plan to use the information you find before placing your search. For example, if something comes back slightly elevated in your blood work, call your medical professional. Why? Often times, blood work is a snapshot in time of what your blood looks like at that very minute. Often diagnosis involve several rounds of blood work spread apart over a period of time. So ask yourself in this case would the internet search serve you well or cause unnecessary anxiety? Changing and adjusting habits can be challenging if you are asking a trusted person for support can help you reach your goal of stopping online searches. Ask them if you can check in with them when the urge or concern arises. Set goals to help get you there.
Health-related anxiety can be put at ease by setting boundaries with the internet and being sure to have regular wellness checks with your primary care provider. When in doubt call your provider to share with them your concerns and questions surrounding new diagnosis, results, or symptoms.
Written by: Holly Bandy, OSU Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences
Reviewed by: Katie Schlagheck, OSU Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ottawa & Sandusky Counties
References:
Anderson, L. (2021, October 8). Sick of googling symptoms and getting bad information? here’s a second opinion. University of California. https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/sick-googling-symptoms-and-getting-bad-information-heres-second-opinion
Lane, P. (2023, December 2). The problem with “dr. google.” Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/am-i-dying/202312/the-problem-with-dr-google#:~:text=Key%20points,important%20for%20health%2Danxious%20patients.
Perkins, S. J. (2020, February 24). Get the facts on cyberchondria. Summa Health. https://www.summahealth.org/flourish/entries/2020/02/get-the-facts-on-cyberchondria
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