March 2018
  A New Epidemic Of Anxiety About Health

A new syndrome called Cyberchondria is emerging and is creating an epidemic of anxiety about health.


Dr Google has been a common tool for many patients wanting to know more about their health.  It is not uncommon for patients to visit their doctor's offices bringing with them 50 or more pages of information.


Googling for health information has become an obsession for many patients and abhorrent to many doctors.


This is leading to an epidemic of anxiety as the information is misinterpreted and mistakes are made by patients in the selection of inappropriate treatments and costly and unnecessary procedures.
Case Study of Cyberchondria:  
                               
Paul X. was a highly intelligent 29 year old from Winnipeg. He was deeply involved in attempting to solve his neck pain issues by learning as much as he could on the internet.

His obsession with using the internet to find solutions had lead to an unnecessary neck surgery in the USA, costing the family about $65,000. The neck spinal procedure was complicated by too aggressive mobilization which lead to damage to the new artificial disc.

Paul X. had spent many months searching for information about the anti-depressants that he had taken for depression. He was convinced that these medications had destroyed his bone density. He blamed his family doctor for this.

Paul's constant pursuit of more information on the internet had lead to enormous anxiety and extrapolation of the information to totally unrealistic solutions to his neck pain.

These extrapolations were fixed and unchangeable delusions. They were highly resistant to rational thought and analysis. 

He was also dependent on his delusions to maintain and support his hostile relationship with authority figures. In fact, Paul X. was totally immobilized by his Cyberchondria and unable to meaningfully engage in reality.
Summary:                                  
The healthcare information on the internet should be interpreted by and with a knowledgeable professional. 

Context and experience are important in order to filter out the noise.

Or the person who is searching on the internet for health information will find themselves the victim of enormous anxiety, misunderstandings and false expectations from their involvement in rampant Cyberchondria.
TO START THE CONVERSATION:                                               
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1-800-620-7551 or 647-350-5500
 
 
 
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           Raymond Rupert MD. MBA.
           Founder/Medical Director
           Rupert Case Management Inc.
           505 Eglinton Avenue West, Suite 203
           Toronto, ON M5N 1B1
           
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