Have you ever had a mild headache and then tried searching online for the cause? Initially, you just wanted to determine if it was dangerous. However, after reading various articles or other people's experiences, your mind became filled with worry that the symptoms were a sign of a serious illness. If this happens frequently, you're not alone.
In the digital age, the internet has become a readily accessible source of health information. Unfortunately, not all of the information circulating is accurate or relevant to everyone's situation. Research shows that excessively seeking health information can actually increase anxiety and make it harder for someone to feel calm (Starcevic & Berle, 2013).
What is Cyberchondria?
Cyberchondria is a condition where someone experiences excessive anxiety about their health due to constantly searching for health information on the internet (Starcevic & Berle, 2013).
This term is derived from a combination of the words "cyber" and "hypochondria ." A person typically seeks information to gain certainty about their symptoms. However, after discovering various possible diagnoses, anxiety increases, leading to a compulsion to continue seeking information without ever feeling truly certain.
For example, someone experiencing a mild headache might initially just want to know the cause. However, after reading various articles about brain tumors or strokes, they may become convinced they have these conditions, even though they haven't been examined by a doctor.
It's important to understand that cyberchondria doesn't mean someone is faking an illness. The anxiety it causes is real and can disrupt daily activities, work, social relationships, and even quality of life (McMullan et al., 2019).
Why Does Cyberchondria Occur?
Some factors that can increase the risk of cyberchondria include:
- It's easy to feel anxious about health conditions.
- Too often searching for health information on the internet without limits.
- It is difficult to distinguish valid sources of information from unproven information.
- Repeated exposure to serious illness content on social media.
- Have personal or family experience with serious illness.
Research shows that the higher a person's anxiety level, the greater their tendency to continue searching for health information repeatedly, which ultimately reinforces the anxiety (McMullan et al., 2019).
Signs of Cyberchondria
Some signs to watch out for include:
- Constantly searching for information about the same symptoms.
- Getting more anxious after reading health information.
- Believing oneself to have a serious illness before being examined by a doctor.
- It's hard to stop thinking about the possibility of having an illness.
- Repeatedly asking for confirmation via the internet or from many people.
- Daily activities are disrupted due to concerns about health.
Wisely Using Health Information in the Digital Age
The internet can be a valuable source of health education if used wisely. However, information found online cannot replace a face-to-face examination by a healthcare professional. Every person's condition is unique, so a diagnosis cannot be made solely based on symptoms found online (World Health Organization, 2024).
If you feel increasingly anxious every time you search for health information online, constantly think about the possibility of a particular disease, or your anxiety begins to interfere with your daily activities, don't hesitate to consult a psychiatrist. Early treatment can help manage your anxiety and maintain your quality of life.
Article written by Dr. Eva Suryani, Sp.KJ (Psychiatric Specialist, EMC Alam Sutera Hospital).
Bibliography
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.
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 and access to reliable health information . World Health Organization.