Cyberchondria, the disease of the age, is turning people into hypochondriacs

Cyberchondria, the new disease of the age defined as the compulsion to search for illnesses online, brings psychological problems with it. It becomes difficult for citizens who seek their own answers on the internet instead of consulting experts to manage their anxiety. So, what is cyberchondria? Is it possible to get rid of it? Here are the details...

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Cyberchondria, the disease of the age, is turning people into hypochondriacs

Specialist Psychologist Duhan Töre, who works at Sivas Medicana Hospital, made statements regarding cyberchondria, one of the greatest diseases of the age. Stating that people who search for illness symptoms online become anxious with the thought that they are sick based on the information they obtain, Töre said that they can misdiagnose themselves and resort to incorrect treatment methods without consulting experts.

WHAT IS CYBERCHONDRIA?

It is the process where people research illnesses in the internet environment, diagnose themselves, examine symptoms, and go as far as researching treatment methods for them. With the internet environment being easily accessible, low-cost, and much easier than reaching a physician, it has become possible to find answers to all questions at any hour of the day.

IT MAKES ANXIETY MANAGEMENT DIFFICULT

The anxiety management of patients who diagnose themselves instead of going to a specialist becomes even more difficult. Thus, patients whose anxiety levels rise significantly also begin to struggle psychologically.

As patients constantly research illnesses, their rate of feeling well gradually decreases. With the increase of doubts and anxieties such as 'My heart is racing, is there a problem with my lungs? My head hurts, am I having a brain hemorrhage? I have heart palpitations, am I having a heart attack?', they can think they have very serious illnesses.

WHAT CAN BE DONE DURING THIS PROCESS?

Stating that applications to specialists have decreased during this process, Töre said, "Citizens are afraid of their illnesses or have difficulty believing the physician. Thus, they gradually distance themselves and experience this situation internally. If the state of not being convinced by the results obtained in line with the examinations and tests performed by physicians continues very frequently, and if there is a process of trying different physicians, we may be experiencing a psychological process. In this sense, we can ease the process and improve our quality of life by receiving psychotherapy."