The Downside of Information: Fueling Health Anxiety
Health anxiety—worrying excessively about having or developing a serious illness—is common at varying degrees. For many people the internet, social media, and symptom-checking apps are primary sources of health information. While accessible information can empower patients, it can also amplify and maintain anxiety. This article explains how and why information often makes health anxiety worse, illustrates with examples and data-based patterns, and offers practical strategies for individuals and clinicians.How are health anxiety and cyberchondria defined?Health anxiety ranges from occasional worry to persistent, distressing preoccupation that disrupts life. When internet use turns reassurance-seeking into a driver of anxiety, clinicians often use…
