Cyberchondria: The Fear of Illness in the Age of the Internet

The internet has become the primary source of information, and the behavior pattern of relying on search engines to obtain health information has become known as "Dr. Google." The internet has provided easier access to health information that was previously difficult to obtain. However, excessive reliance on the internet to search for health information can become problematic and lead to the development of cyberchondria (Starcevic, 2023). In the digital age, where people are increasingly using the internet for medical information, cyberchondria is being discussed more frequently as a public health issue. Many people, after reading about a condition online, may become convinced that they have it and experience unnecessary fear and stress. This is particularly common when people misinterpret general medical information or come across sensationalized health claims.

What is Cyberchondria?

Cyberchondria, or compulsively searching for health information, involves excessive and impulsive online searches for health information, which may be motivated by the need to reduce anxiety but often leads to an increase in stress or worry, as well as other negative consequences. This behavior is a significant transdiagnostic disorder closely related to excessive internet use and typically occurs alongside health anxiety, hypochondria, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (Vismara et al., 2020). The term "cyberchondria" entered the lexicon through the media in the early 2000s when internet searches saw a sharp increase (Cohen, 2021).

Causes of Cyberchondria

The causes of cyberchondria can be varied, and some of the key factors contributing to the development of cyberchondria include (Grande, 2023):

• A general tendency to worry (approximately 71% of those with cyberchondria also have generalized anxiety disorder);
• Past trauma, tragedy, or major life stressors;
• Chronic, unmanaged stress;
• A personal or family history of serious illnesses (even if fully recovered), as well as a family history of cyberchondria or illness anxiety disorder;
• Heightened awareness of bodily sensations;
• Negative experiences with medical professionals leading to a lack of trust or confidence in doctors;
• A need for more attention from family or friends;

The treatment of cyberchondria is complicated by the fact that about two-thirds of individuals with this disorder are likely to have at least one other psychological disorder. Common co-occurring disorders often found alongside cyberchondria include (Grande, 2023):

• Somatic symptom disorder;
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD);
• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD);
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD);
• Psychotic conditions;
• Certain personality disorders (especially borderline and histrionic).

Symptoms of Cyberchondria

A key characteristic of cyberchondria is that the person compulsively searches for information about their health condition, worrying they have a serious illness, even though symptoms are minimal or completely absent. Symptoms of cyberchondria may include the following (Cohen, 2021; Grande, 2023):

• Compulsively searching the internet for health information;
• Worrying about having a serious illness, even when symptoms are minimal or nonexistent;
• Experiencing increased heart rate, sweating, or other anxiety symptoms while searching;
• Assuming that everything found online is accurate and truthful;
• Quickly jumping to the worst conclusions about your health condition;
• Seeking reassurance from a qualified expert/reliable source;
• Distrust of doctors whose advice could be obtained in person.

When a person has significant and noticeable physical symptoms, the diagnosis of cyberchondria would not be appropriate. In the case of significant symptoms with no known medical cause, the diagnosis would likely be somatic symptom disorder (Grande, 2023).

Treatment of Cyberchondria

Given the unclear conceptual status of cyberchondria and its relatively "hidden" nature, approaches to its treatment are still in the early stages of development and research. People with cyberchondria often do not seek help for this condition directly, likely because they do not perceive it as a "disease." Instead, they typically present to medical services with symptoms of hypochondria, anxiety disorders, problematic internet use, or even internet addiction (Starcevic, 2023).

The treatment of cyberchondria typically involves working on personal characteristics such as perfectionism and fear of uncertainty, as well as psychological issues like health anxiety and obsessive behaviors. Therapy also focuses on learning how to handle contradictory health information on the internet and responses to anxiety, such as excessive reassurance seeking (Syed, 2024).

One successful approach is modified cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) delivered online, which helps patients improve their search skills and understanding of reliable health sources (Ibid). Rational emotive-behavioral therapy has proven useful in learning how to respond to harmless or ambiguous signals from one's own body through distraction techniques. Additionally, certain anxiety medications have been helpful in managing obsessive thoughts related to cyberchondria and illness anxiety disorder (Grande, 2023).

*This text is intended for informational purposes only. If you experience any symptoms, it is recommended that you seek advice from your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional.

Refereces

• Cohen, A. (Ed.). (2021, October 14). What is a cyberchondriac? Signs that you may be one. Baton Rouge Clinic. https://batonrougeclinic.com/news-education/are-you-a-cyberchondriac/
• Gouw, T. (2016, February 25). Man wearing white top using MacBook, full focus at a coffee shop [Photograph]. Unsplash. https://unsplash.com/photos/man-wearing-white-top-using-macbook-1K9T5YiZ2WU
• Grande, D. (2023, September 18). Cyberchondria: Signs, symptoms, & treatments. Choosing Therapy. https://www.choosingtherapy.com/cyberchondria/
• Starcevic, V. (2023). Keeping Dr. Google under control: How to prevent and manage cyberchondria. World Psychiatry: Official Journal of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA), 22(2), 233–234. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.21076
• Syed, S. A. (2024, September 30). Cyberchondria: Searching symptoms and self-diagnosis. News-Medical. Reviewed by Danielle Ellis, B.Sc. Retrieved from https://www.news-medical.net/health/Cyberchondira-Searching-Symptoms-and-Self-Diagnosis.aspx
• Vismara, M., Caricasole, V., Starcevic, V., Cinosi, E., Dell'Osso, B., Martinotti, G., & Fineberg, N. A. (2020). Is cyberchondria a new transdiagnostic digital compulsive syndrome? A systematic review of the evidence. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 99, 152167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2020.152167