Cyberchonder Googling sick

Googling sick

A new phenomenon exists on the World Wide Web: the search for self-diagnosis, called "Cyberchonder". With signs of pain or physical symptoms, many people search the Internet for possible causes. Many Internet users enter a disease symptom into the search engine and look for the supposedly appropriate illness out. Back tension can quickly become a "severe cardiovascular disease" because many tend to choose the most serious condition. The affected then feel subjectively physically much worse than before.

According to a study by Microsoft researchers, many people find their physical condition much worse than it actually is in reality.
According to a study by Microsoft researchers, many people find their physical condition much worse than it actually is in reality. The anxiety triggers in many people additional symptoms that they did not feel before. As part of a Microsoft long-term study that looked at specific health-related search query data from a total of 515 people, it was found that the type and quantity of results sought are in direct proportion to the "exaggeration of one's own disease". "Our study shows that Internet search engines have the potential to negate medical concerns in a negative way," concludes the study by Microsoft. Many people unreflectively accept any information and believe in the results offered too quickly. Many medical Internet portals are insufficient to suggest that the causes of certain symptoms are usually found in fairly harmless tension or disease. Especially conventional medical portals point out psychosomatic causes only to a small extent. Too fast, the internet user learns that his symptom can be a momentous illness. The Microsoft employees emphasize: „The Internet has the potential to dramatically increase people's fears.“ So, anyone who lives in the constant fear of suffering from an incurable disease will surely find web-based content that boosts anxiety.

We point out that due to a symptom no conclusive diagnosis can be made. The variety of diseases are very diverse. Various also have various symptoms that manifest themselves in many ways. The Microsoft researchers also point out this fact in their study: „This is extremely problematic because different diseases can often have the same symptoms. "

A medical internet portal can never replace a visit to a doctor or alternative practitioner!
It is important to look critically at the information offered on the internet. A medical internet portal can never replace a visit to a doctor or alternative practitioner. The information should at most be used to, for example, to research together with the doctor for possible causes of complaints. Those affected should be aware that a so-called self-diagnosis due to medial content can increase the supposed symptoms. (Sb, 18.09.2009)