I couldn't help but think during today's class discussion that health information on the Internet can only feed into the fears of hypochondriacs. I myself have fallen victim to this before - you experience some symptom, look it up on the Internet and before you know it you think you have cancer. Most people can deal with this type of information logically, however people who suffer from the intense anxiety and dread of hypochondria may really suffer from the plethora of medical information that is on the Internet.
This article talks all about hypochondria. I think this topic is very important in the context of today's class discussion. This article cites the Internet as a resource that hypochodriacs use to reassure themselves, but I definitely think it could also be a resource that reinforces fears or creates new fears.
Friday, March 14, 2008
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This article is similar to one that I had posted early in the semester on "internet self diagnosis." I feel this self diagnosis goes beyond affecting "hypochondriacs." Individuals, including myself, with a certain group of symptoms will simply google the symptoms before visiting a doctor. A simple cold can quickly turn into the flu, pneumonia, bronchitis, etc. I feel that sick individuals are also particularly vulnerable and willing to accept information that may explain the source of the symptoms. Combining this vulnerability with natural human curiosity and the ease of accessing such information, it is easy to imagine why individuals resort to such diagnosis.
This particular article on hypochondria shows the doctor's perspective in dealing with this medical communication issue very well. The author of the article blatantly points out the sharp contrast between patients' thoughts and their doctors' thoughts. For example, "Where the patient sees physical illness, the doctor sees a psychological problem, and frustration rules on both sides of the examining room." The contentious air surrounding the problem of hypochondria has caused many awkward moments in the history of the problem. Many of my friends and family members (and even I myself) suffer from psychiatric disorders. The negative social connotations associated with these disorders have been a struggle to overcome for all of us, and it's a struggle that the medical community has found difficult to resolve. Many doctors want to help people who might have psychiatric disorders like hypochondria. However, as the article highlights, these doctors need to use terms like "hypochondria" with caution. Sadly, we have very few, if any, colloquial terms for hypochondria that do not make the average person feel uneasy.
Hypochondriacs waste the time of professional health workers by constantly claiming to be suffering from all manner of symptoms. As a result, it takes longer for people who are ill to be seen and treated.
Placebos seem to help many patients, especially those with symptoms such as anxiety and hypochondria. If the sickness is all in their mind then the placebo effect will work to make them think the medicine is helping them when it is only a sugar pill.
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