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Understanding Cyberchondria

By: Staff Writer
Friday, November 05, 2010

Filed under:  Family Medicine

The Internet has revolutionized the way people access health information. From personal health records to symptom checkers, knowledge about any health topic can be accessed within seconds. Along with this technology, however, have evolved “cyberchondriacs” — individuals who suffer a similar anxiety of traditional hypochondria, compounded by the digital age.

A recent Harris Poll has shown an alarming rise in the number of people suffering from the condition known as cyberchondriac — the digital equivalent of hypochondria. Between 1998 and 2005, the number of adults who went online to seek health advice or make a self diagnosis rose from just over 50 million to an astounding 117 million. In the new poll released in August 2010, this figure climbed even further — 175 million.

As these figures show, each passing year reveals more adults venturing online to find vital health information. Although this might mean that people are being more responsible in regard to their personal health, it also demonstrates that they are making diagnoses by themselves, without the input of a health professional; that being said, there are ways to encourage patients to use the Internet constructively.

Focus on Education, Not Diagnosis

While the Internet certainly offers a useful tool for those concerned about their health, the wealth of information can be overwhelming and, quite frankly, startling. Simple symptoms may often be misconstrued into much more serious conditions, resulting in extreme paranoia and stress. With this understanding, physicians can assist by helping define parameters and set expectations for those who seek health information online. Consider offering these few pointers to your patients who consume health information in the digital space:

1. The Internet is a learning tool. If what you learn from it helps you live a healthier, happier life, that’s terrific. However, the Internet can also host misinformation or information that doesn’t apply to your situation, so exercise caution when putting something into practice that you learned online. Consult a qualified health professional for an expert opinion before undertaking any sort of health-related regimen you learned about online.
2. Focus on reputable materials. Health information online should come from well-known, respected institutions, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, the American Heart Association or another established health care entity.
3. Stay balanced. When researching online, it is vital to keep emotions in check. There is a distinct difference between researching ways to live healthier and scaring oneself with information that might not apply to the situation — this balance must be found and maintained.

The Provider’s Role

The advent of online health materials may appear to have cast a shadow on the role of the traditional provider. The truth, however, remains that physicians and other providers play a more vital role than ever in medical care. As such, it is the provider’s responsibility to explain to patients the advantages and pitfalls of using the Web for health information and advice.

Let patients know that there’s nothing wrong with consuming health information in the digital space, but if they are suffering from symptoms of illness or a health condition, nothing can replace the years of training and diagnostic experience that qualified health care providers offer. When it comes to maintaining good health, the smartest thing a patient can do is rely on the expertise and skill of a qualified physician.

MD News November 2010