Main Article Content

Abstract

Cyberchondria is a term used to describe a clinical phenomenon in which frequent internet searches for medical information led to excessive worries about one's physical well-being. Researchers discovered that study participants used web search engines incorrectly as a diagnostic tool, believing that the higher the search result ranking, the more likely it was that they had that particular disease over the other diseases. Websites may provide diagnoses without taking into account incidence, prevalence, or relevant risk factors, leading consumers to suspect rather unlikely diseases as the source of their ailments. Users who believe they have incurable and serious illnesses may experience significant distress and anxiety as a result of web-diagnosis. There are several tools for assessing cyberchondria, but the CSS (Cyberchondria Severity Scale) is by far the most widely used. One study discovered that perceptions of information overload and trust in online sources both exacerbated COVID-19-related cyberchondria symptoms, implying that avoiding information overload and maintaining a "healthy scepticism" about health information are effective ways to prevent or treat cyberchondria. The first step for prevention is to ensure that information is obtained from trustworthy, reputable, and easily accessible websites. It is critical to remember that while the internet is a powerful tool, it is not always trustworthy or accurate. It should be used with caution and not in place of a healthcare provider's professional opinion.

Keywords

Cyberchondria, Internet searches, Websites, Cyberchondria severity scale, COVID-19.

Article Details

How to Cite
Guduru Madhukar Reddy, & P. Veeresh Babu. (2023). Cyberchondria: Consequence of excess online health information search. International Journal of Research in Pharmacology & Pharmacotherapeutics, 12(1), 13-16. https://doi.org/10.61096/ijrpp.v12.iss1.2023.13-16

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