Cyberchondria - A Danger Googling It Bears

Cyberchondria (also known as Compucondria), is a feedback loop which causes psychosomatic effects in people searching for explanations of benign symptoms:

1. People search for an explanation to benign symptoms like headaches.

2. Search engine replies it could be anything from slight dehydration to a brain tumor.

3. People click on brain tumor to make sure they don’t have it.

4. Search engine learns people’s behavior and prioritizes “Brain Tumor” results.

5. Next person finds even more brain tumors results and experiences growing anxiety.

6. Person with anxiety starts manifesting psychosomatically the symptoms of a brain tumor that they read about.

7. Person runs to the doctor with a list of psychosomatic symptoms compatible with a brain tumor.

8. Doctor puts person through invasive and painful tests to rule our brain tumor.

9. Doctor rules out brain tumor, prescribes paracetamol for headache.

Please prevent both the headache and the unnecessary tests and meds. Ask your doctor before google.