cyberchondria

British  

/ ˌsaɪbəˈkɒndrɪə /

noun

1. unfounded anxiety concerning the state of one's health brought on by visiting health and medical websites

---

Other Word Forms

• cyberchondriac noun

Etymology

Origin of cyberchondria

c21: from _{cyber(space) + (hypo)chondria}

Example Sentences

It quickly became the most popular source of health information in the United States and paved a way for a new digital era in health information — giving people a chance to self-diagnose or symptoms check for a health problem — but also helped introduce terms like “cyberchondria,” in which a person engages in excessive online searching for health information, leading to increased anxiety, unfounded distress and misinterpretation of symptoms.

From Salon

Awareness is also growing about “cyberchondria,” when people search desperately online for answers to their ailments — putting them at risk of unnecessary treatment or further distress.

From Salon

There are hours spent on the Internet that can fuel cyberchondria and constant doctor visits.

From Seattle Times

He links cyberchondria to a dysfunctional web of metacognitive beliefs, which are really just thoughts about thinking.

From Scientific American

But in cyberchondria, metacognitive beliefs morph into a mental trap that chains people to online health content.

From Scientific American