Cyberchondria: what it is, symptoms, causes and how to avoid it

Taking into account the advances that science has made regarding certain diseases, we currently have access to many sources of information about health. Given this, many people try to lead a healthy life so as not to suffer from diseases that lead to prolonged suffering; That is why it is understandable that there is a search for information on networks to live in a pleasant way.

However, there are people who are excessively concerned about their health and have access to data about digital hypochondria can be useful to know possible methods of approach. Do you want to know more about this? In this Psychology-Online article we will provide you with information about the Cyberchondria: what is it, symptoms, causes and how to avoid it, in addition to talking about the consequences of the Google effect on health.

Index

1. What is cyberchondria
2. Symptoms of cyberchondriasis
3. Causes of cyberchondriasis
4. Consequences of cyberchondriasis
5. How to avoid cyberchondria

Cyberchondria is a term used to describe the excessive and irrational concern about physical health in fear of getting sick. The characteristic feature of cyberchondriasis is the use of virtuality as a means to obtain information.

According to the criteria proposed by the DSM-V, cyberchondriasis is within the illness anxiety disorders. In this way, we will mention the conditions under which it is possible to diagnose this type of pathology:

• Fear or exacerbated fear of suffering from any type of disease.
• The person has no symptoms of a disease.
• Constant concern about the state of health.
• Avoidance of visits to doctors.
• The symptoms are not linked to any other mental disorder.
• The duration of symptoms is six months or more.

First of all, it is important to understand that both physical and emotional and behavioral manifestations are part of this anxiety disorder. Now, what are the symptoms of someone suffering from cyberchondria? The symptoms present in cyberchondria or digital hypochondria are:

• obsessive behaviors around the knowledge of the state of health (for example, repeated search for information on the internet).
• obsessive thoughts recurring.
• Excessive preoccupation with the body.
• Beliefs about health hazards.
• Low self-esteem.
• Anxiety.
• Anguish.
• Depression.
• Panic attacks.
• Difficulty falling asleep.
• Mistrust of health professionals.

It should be noted that the presence of any of these symptoms does not imply that we are facing a picture of cyberchondria or digital hypochondria. It is essential go to a health professional so that the diagnosis is clear, since it will be in charge of evaluating the clinical conditions of each patient taking into account their particularities.

Being able to determine the origin of this class of pathologies is crucial to develop adequate methods of approach against cyberchondriasis. In this way, we will locate the most relevant causes that arise from digital hypochondria:

• Environmental factors: here it is possible to encompass both experienced family situations in the past that have had a negative effect on the person with cyberchondriasis. In other words, if a family member has had some type of persistent illness, it may happen that the person develop an obsession with knowing information about health and disease from a fear initial.
• bodily factors: The body plays an important role in this anxiety disorder. Because of this, the physical ailments they can be the engine that gives way to obsessive and recurrent thoughts about illnesses.

It is very important to note that there are various consequences that can appear in a picture of cyberchondria. For this reason, special emphasis should be placed on early detection of symptoms to avoid unfavorable consequences. Next, we will locate the most relevant:

• Social isolation.
• loss of reality.
• emotional instability
• Irritability.
• Mistrust of other people.
• compulsive behaviors.
• Decline in work and/or school performance.

Despite the drawbacks of cyberchondria or digital hypochondria, there are some ways to avoid it. The importance of the method of approach has a direct impact on the person's quality of life. In the following paragraphs, we will talk about it:

• psychological therapy: therapy consists of a space in which it is possible to treat various problems that affect a person's daily life. In the case of cyberchondriasis, psychological treatment can help investigate the causes that caused the symptoms and build new ways of dealing with a given situation.
• Contact with professionals: Having medical consultations can help dispel fears arising from the information available on Internet pages, since much of the content is not true. A healthcare professional is a qualified person in your area who has the right knowledge about a particular area.

If you have found this article useful on what cyberchondria is, what its symptoms are, its causes and how to avoid digital hypochondria; we recommend you read How to overcome the fear of diseases to complete your knowledge on the subject.

This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

If you want to read more articles similar to Cyberchondria: what it is, symptoms, causes and how to avoid it, we recommend that you enter our category of Clinical psychology.

1. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Arlington: Pan American Medical Publisher.

• Ballen, J.F. (2016). Primary psychiatric disorders in dermatology. Journal of the Colombian Association of Dermatology, 24 (2), 105-121.
• Ovalle-Quiñones, M., Vásquez-Tirado, G. (2020). Cyberchondria: A new clinical entity in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Magazine of the Medical Corps National Hospital Almanzor Aguinaga Asenjo, 13 (4), 418-426.