Are Self diagnosing online searches fuelling unnecessary health-related stress?
By Anish Asokan
@RevivedWarrior (3569)
India
January 13, 2025 12:22pm CST
The discussion topic got inspired from a discussion from Marie Coyle.
We are also paranoid of critical illness and death. Many of us turn to internet for quick answers and advices when it comes to health issue, and sometimes this leads to unnecessary health related stress. There is rise of online symptoms check and medical websites and apps have made self-diagnosis easier and more convenient than ever before.
Due to large unverified health information over the internet, people get stressed even for a minor health issue like headache, often considering it as a symptom of a larger problem. Some of the people are overly cautious and also increase frequent doctor visits to ensure they are of sound health. Worse is self-medication with help of these articles.
What we need to understand our search engines such as Google prioritises the articles based on popularity and not on verified medical grounds. The information needs to be used responsibly and should never be used to erode our faith in medical system and professionals.
So what’s your opinion on Self diagnosing online searches fuelling unnecessary health-related stress?
11 people like this
9 responses
@RevivedWarrior (3569)
• India
14 Jan
Thats a good approach. Understand but not conclude. Let the doctor do their job .Thanks for sharing!
@MarieCoyle (40958)
•
14 Jan
@kareng
Yes! People need to steer clear of the sites that are just individuals blabbering and have no medical knowledge.
2 people like this
@RevivedWarrior (3569)
• India
14 Jan
I agree on that. We can trust information from credible sites.But still we should not use that for self medicate. That could be dangerous. Thanks for sharing!
@kaylachan (75094)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
13 Jan
First of all there are highly accredited sites out there like webMD that can help a person self-diagnose. Often they can (when used properally) help patients have more informed conversations with their doctors. So, if you know what yu're doing it's not dangerous.
It's also important it's not the internet's fault, but rather the person that's conducting the search. You see if a person is using a search engine to self-diagnose, then they are already paranoid and that's on them, nt the internet.
2 people like this
@RevivedWarrior (3569)
• India
14 Jan
I agree that its more of a people issue than the information on the internet issue. Thanks for sharing!
@kaylachan (75094)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
14 Jan
@RevivedWarrior Not a problem.
2 people like this
@RevivedWarrior (3569)
• India
14 Jan
Very true- Information on internet is nice to enough but that should ot be sued for self diagosis. Thanks for sharing!
@Deepizzaguy (106722)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
13 Jan
there is a sign in my doctor's office that says that the medical professionals are more qualified to diagnose an illness that suggestions from a website. I will take the advice of a doctor first.
3 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (106722)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
14 Jan
@RevivedWarrior You are welcome.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (40958)
•
14 Jan
I often use Web MD to research medications. I want to know possible side effects, etc. That particular site is credible, as is Mayo Clinic and also Cleveland Clinic.
I have heard that some people seem to rely on YouTubers for medical advice. I’m sure not doing that!
2 people like this
@RevivedWarrior (3569)
• India
15 Jan
I do agree that Webmd and others are credible. However , we should never self diagonse and take medications withot advice from a medical professional. Thanks for sharing!
@MarieCoyle (40958)
•
15 Jan
@RevivedWarrior
Oh, i agree that seeing a doctor is the smartest and safest avenue to take!
1 person likes this
@allknowing (140944)
• India
14 Jan
One needs to be selective when believing what one reads on the Net
2 people like this
@RevivedWarrior (3569)
• India
14 Jan
We can use the information to understand but shoudl not use it to self medicate or diagonsis. Thanks for sharing!
@Aquitaine24 (11858)
• San Jose, California
22 Jan
I think they help if you have a pretty good idea of what you have and want to do independent reserch.
1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (3569)
• India
23 Jan
Doing research is all fine but cannot do self diagonse as that could lead to unneccessary challenges. Thanks for sharing!
@RevivedWarrior (3569)
• India
14 Jan
Information is nice but we cannot self diahonse and conclude on things witout actuual edical diagonsis. Thansk for sharing!
