Asian Journal of Nursing Education and Research
  • Year: 2022
  • Volume: 12
  • Issue: 4

Cyberchondria (Compulsive digital usage related to health): An overview

1Lecturer, Psychiatric Nursing, Chamunda Institute of Medical Sciences and Nursing College, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh

2Lecturer, Psychiatric Nursing, Chamunda Institute of Medical Sciences and Nursing College, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh

*Corresponding Author Email: varshathakur960@gmail.com

Online published on 29 September, 2023.

Abstract

Cyberchondria is one of the major concern now-a-days. Cyberchondria refers to the excessive and repeated digital health-related searching of information resulting in increased in anxiety. Such searches are compulsive and obsessional in nature. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, cyberchondria became regular among population, as they surfed internet sites related to COVID-19 symptomatology, management etc. Surfing for digital information about symptoms and illnesses on the Internet is very common and very beneficial. However, now-a-days it is seen that this online surfing is distressing population making them more prone to hypochondriasis, panic attacks, anxiety and non-compliance with treatment. Cyberchondria management is the major among health care professionals.

Keywords

Cyberchondria, Online health information searches, Hypochondriasis, Problematic internet use