Cyberchondria or digital hyperchondria

Cyberchondria, also called digital hypochondria, is the constant search for health-related information on the Internet. This search is based on the perception of symptoms that the person thinks the person suffers. 70% of searches are made by women, compared to 57% of those made by men.

Following this relentless search, the person with cyberchondria interprets symptoms mild or normal bodily sensations, as indicators of a serious illness, which further triggers your anxiety, thus entering an infinite loop; the more anguish, the more searching, and the more searching, the more anguish.

Can it become a problem?

It becomes a real problem when the Internet is not only used for the auto diagnosis, but is used for . A web browser ends up performing the functions that a doctor should perform, with the dangers what this entails.

According to an investigation carried out by the British Medical Journal, most of the verifiers that we find on Google are usually wrong, which on the one hand further triggers anxiety in the patient and, on the other hand, prevents them from consulting a doctor for their symptoms.

Most of the symptom that the patient experiences are usually benign, but due to medical ignorance, are misinterpreted, attributing to it a much more serious meaning than it really has, generating a spiral of panic. An especially serious problem for.

How and why does cyberchondria manifest itself?

Thanks to new technologies, almost everyone has at your fingertips Internet, there are even people who are not capable of . Accessibility is one of the main causes, having immediate and infinite information when we want.

On the other hand, the discard relief, that is, having ruled out a serious problem at some point, reassures the person and reinforces their behavior, which will lead them to repeat the search when faced with new symptoms.

At present, this incessant search has been increased by health concerns due to the crisis of the.

The most common behavior of a person who suffers from cyberchondria, is:

• Insatiable search for information on the internet
• Obsessive ideas recurring
• Catastrophic concerns
• Constant physical self-exploration
• Anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, somatizations, etc.
• Fear of going to the doctor in case it confirms your diagnosis, since it usually gets worse.
• Search for a second opinion on the Internet for not being satisfied with the doctor's diagnosis.

5 Guidelines to learn to manage it

Change focus

The Internet should be understood as a place of consultation, and physicians as those in charge of establishing a diagnosis. It is not advisable to self-diagnose, or self-medicate under any circumstances.

Limit your access to information

Permanently looking for information is one of the. Set limits, for example, limit the number of searches and only to scientifically endorsed websites. Although it is preferable to find a little while a day to address your concerns in writing. If doubts invade you throughout the day, postpone them to that moment and download your anguish there instead of constantly looking for information.

Proven medical sources

If we do not have medical training, we lack the context and references necessary to correctly screen reliable information, so we fill in the gaps with more concern. The entity or professional to sign the item It must have proven validity.

On the other hand, avoid reading the information diagonally. Sometimes we jump from one website to another without fully understanding what we need to know, which is even more distressing.

Trust your doctor

Choose a doctor who gives you absolute trust and pour all your doubts into him.

Do not enter second or third opinions to match your searches. A doubt always opens another doubt, so put credibility in your reference professional.

Identify why you have that need

Are there other concerns in your life currently that you may be masking in your physical concerns? We often create “barrier” fears that prevent us from seeing others that scare us more, for example, the fear of divorce. Focus your attention on other issues that do not have to do with health. Get involved in them. Hobbies, sports, nature, relaxation ...

• It is the constant search for health-related information on the internet, which is based on the perception of symptoms that are suffered or are believed to be suffering.
• It is essential to read only verified medical sources and read the information in full.
• It is convenient to have a trusted doctor to whom we can consult when we need, instead of resorting to the internet.

If you can't regulate your anxiety, sign up in Savia, MAPFRE's digital health services platform that allows you to chat for free with a psychotherapist to help you manage your anxiety. In addition, you can with your psychologist.

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Health psychologist and psychotherapist