"Just a little curious, but ended up thinking about it all day."
You've probably experienced this. Initially, you just wanted to find out the cause of chest pain, headaches, or small lumps online. However, after reading various articles and other people's experiences, your anxiety only increases. You end up searching for information for hours without truly feeling calm.
If this condition occurs repeatedly and begins to interfere with daily activities, you may be experiencing cyberchondria , which is the tendency to search excessively for health information on the internet which actually worsens anxiety (Starcevic & Berle, 2013).
What Happens When Someone Experiences Cyberchondria?
Not everyone who searches for health information online experiences cyberchondria. However, some common signs include (McMullan et al., 2019):
- Constantly searching for information about the same symptoms.
- It's hard to feel calm even after reading a lot of information.
- Believing minor complaints as signs of serious illness.
- Frequently comparing symptoms with other people's experiences on social media or health forums.
- It's hard to concentrate because you keep thinking about the possibility of illness.
- Repeatedly ask for reassurance from family or health workers.
Research shows that the more frequently a person searches for health information repeatedly, the higher the level of anxiety that can arise, thus forming a cycle that is difficult to break (McMullan et al., 2019).
How to Overcome Cyberchondria?
Some steps that can be taken include:
1. Limit the time spent searching for health information.
Set a time limit and avoid reading information about the same symptoms repeatedly.
2. Use trusted sources
Choose information from hospitals, health institutions, professional organizations, or medical personnel. Avoid drawing conclusions from social media posts that may not be accurate (World Health Organization, 2024).
3. Avoid self-diagnosis
Information on the internet is for educational purposes only. Diagnosing a disease requires a medical interview, physical examination, and, if necessary, additional testing.
4. Manage anxiety
Getting enough sleep, regular exercise, relaxation techniques, mindfulness, and reducing exposure to social media can help reduce anxiety (American Psychiatric Association, 2024).
When Should You Consult a Psychiatrist?
Consult immediately if anxiety begins:
- Interfering with work or daily activities.
- Causes difficulty sleeping or difficulty concentrating.
- Makes you constantly think about a particular disease.
- It creates an urge to continue seeking health information without feeling satisfied.
- Triggering panic attacks or anxiety that is difficult to control.
A psychiatrist will help evaluate whether the symptoms are related to cyberchondria, an anxiety disorder, or another mental health condition. Treatment can include education, psychotherapy (e.g., Cognitive Behavioral Therapy/CBT ), and even medication if medically indicated (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence [NICE], 2020).
Don't Hesitate to Seek Help
The internet is a useful source of information, but it's not the place to make a diagnosis. If you feel that searching for health information is increasing your fear, anxiety, or impairing your quality of life, don't hesitate to consult a psychiatrist. Appropriate treatment can help break the cycle of cyberchondria so you can return to your daily activities with greater peace of mind.
Article written by Dr. Eva Suryani, Sp.KJ (Psychiatric Specialist, EMC Alam Sutera Hospital).
Bibliography
American Psychiatric Association. (2024). Anxiety disorders . https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/anxiety-disorders
McMullan, R.D., Berle, D., Arnáez, S., & Starcevic, V. (2019). The relationship between health anxiety, online health information seeking, and cyberchondria: Systematic review and meta-analysis . Journal of Affective Disorders, 245 , 270–278.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2020). Generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder in adults: Management (CG113). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg113
Starcevic, V., & Berle, D. (2013). Cyberchondria: Towards a better understanding of excessive health-related Internet use . Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, 13 (2), 205–213.
World Health Organization. (2024). Health literacy .