Written by: Albijona Hoxhaj
The way we obtain health information has changed in many ways through the digital revolution. For most people, the internet has become the first stop where they learn and read about symptoms, diseases, and health.
Access to information is easier than ever and at a low cost, but this has also brought problems, with the consequences of this change being increasingly appreciated.
You're just a click away from a pink rash on your arm causing search engines to direct you to cancer or other serious illnesses. And that will then keep you in front of the screen for hours searching for the 'disease' you've already 'conquered'.
Cyberchondria (cyberanorrhoea) is excessive or repetitive searching for health information on the Internet that is accompanied by increased levels of anxiety or health concern. The search for information about specific real or imagined symptoms of an illness. This anxiety is created or worsened by using the Internet for medical information.
The term cyberchondria was coined by a British newspaper in 2000 as a play on the word hypochondria, which primarily referred to reading books about health, now also known as illness anxiety.
In a study by 'Karger', a global publisher of medical science, it is stated that cyber-anxiety is not simply a tendency to search for health-related information on the Internet, which has become a normal part of modern life. This differs from individual to individual. In some cases, an increased health concern is primary and an attempt to relieve it is the reason for searching for health-related information on the Internet; however, these searches only cause more concerns and increase anxiety about health.
For some people, anxiety increases after searching the internet, even if they have not done so before but start doing so out of curiosity or the appearance of a new symptom.
Given the widespread use of the internet worldwide, including in Kosovo, the phenomenon of searching for any symptom is inevitable.
AM, a young mother, says that while she was pregnant, she sought out a lot of information about how to raise her child, about the birth process, and even now, after giving birth, she continues to seek solutions for everything about her baby.
''I was anxious, I didn't know how I was going to raise the child, everything seemed so difficult. I still keep searching the internet when the baby has a fever, a rash or whatever.'' she points out.
Not everything we seek is factual, and in fact, many situations don't even match what we really have.
In Kosovo, no research has yet been conducted on this syndrome. The Center for Psycho-Social and Medical Research (QHPSM) said that they have not had the opportunity to research this topic.
However, many people search the internet for a mole on their arm, and then the internet gives us endless options and a diagnosis that is not for us.
According to many studies, people who are affected by this digitalis disease, spend up to three hours a day searching for health-related information.
The University of Vermont Medical Center has listed some of the symptoms of people affected by ''Cyberchondria'':
In addition to frequent research, many of them no longer trust their doctor if the advice goes against the patient's preconceived notion of the disease. These types of patients change doctors a lot, constantly going from one doctor to another, hoping to find one who will reassure them and confirm that they have the disease they believe they have.
Also, 'cyberchondriacs' often believe they suffer from multiple illnesses. Ironically, studies show that most cyberchondriacs and hypochondriacs are actually healthier than people who do not have this illness anxiety.
Negative impacts of cyberchondria
Among the main effects of cyberchondria is not going to the doctor because you think that based on the symptoms you have seen online you are suffering from a serious illness, such as cancer, and you are afraid to confirm it.
Using other people's medications because you think you have the same condition without consulting a doctor poses a great risk, according to professionals.
Self-diagnosis leads to much bigger problems like anxiety and depression.
Alan Lampson, from the University of Vermont Medical Center, says that in addition to the problems that arise from searching in search engines, it is important that these searches are done on reliable sources of information and that these credible sites can serve to obtain information.
Muhamet Jahiri, University Professor, says that in our country the only solution would be to apply Media Education, which would enable this category to create and develop skills to protect themselves from harmful content and not fall 'victims' of digital applications.
"Every internet user should have some skills that can be acquired from media education to search for information and credible sources for things that interest them to read. Information sources should always be viewed with fanaticism because only through them can accurate information and learning be created from the things we read," said Jahiri.
Additionally, when health anxiety has a detrimental impact on a person's life, it is helpful to seek help from a mental health professional.
If you wake up calm and peaceful, don't look for symptoms because it's possible that during the day you will receive information that you are going to 'die', you shouldn't become dependent on the 'digital doctor' or maybe even reading this article shows that you are affected by Cyberchondria!?