Are You a Cyberchondriac???

Posted by Lesli

Take two Lycos and Google your symptoms in the morning...

Do you make a beeline for the computer at the slightest symptom that you or someone in your family displays?

When your son has a red splotchy rash and a sore throat, are you on the keyboard searching out those symptoms?

Come on, have you never looked up stomach pains on the internet and felt pretty sure you were have an appendicitis attack? The odd search for health related symptoms is quite normal.

But, if you're obsessed with googling your symptoms you're a Cyberchondriac. Medical self-diagnosis over the internet is a sure way to up your anxiety level. Searching out medical advice and matching your symptoms to a serious disease is not a healthy pasttime.

Leave the diagnosis to your doctor. In the meantine, there's nothing wrong with being well informed. Just remember, the internet is full of misleading and often incorrect information. Take what you read with a grain of salt and make sure you discuss your findings with your doctor.

Figuring it out as I go,

- Lesli

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Are You a Cyberchondriac???

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