07.01.2026 21:03
Cyberchondria, which arises from excessive online research about illnesses, causes anxiety disorders in individuals. International Integrative Psychotherapist Muzaffer Şahin warned that cyberchondria, which is expected to be defined as an illness in the coming years, could lead to not only psychological but also physical problems.
With the increase in internet access, research on disease symptoms and various ailments has become easier. However, these searches in the online environment can lead to negative results when conducted uncontrollably.
Dr. Muzaffer Şahin, Head of the Psychology Department and Chair of the Department of International Integrative Psychotherapy (CIIP) at Istanbul Arel University Faculty of Arts and Sciences, stated that conducting excessive research on diseases on the internet is defined as cyberchondria and provided important information.
ESPECIALLY SEEN IN PEOPLE WITH GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER Dr. Şahin noted that cyberchondria can also bring about illness anxiety disorder (formerly known as hypochondria), stating, "Due to their high levels of anxiety, people try to research illness-related processes in the online environment. While researching online, they access a number of misleading information. As they reach that information, their anxiety increases even more. Especially problems such as generalized anxiety disorder and illness anxiety disorder, formerly known as hypochondria, begin to emerge. They start to magnify a single symptom seen among simple symptoms, leading to a significant increase in their anxiety as if they have a serious illness. We see that these anxieties are significantly heightened in individuals with generalized anxiety disorder," he said.
Muzaffer Şahin "A PERSON CAN MAKE THEMSELVES SICK" Dr. Muzaffer Şahin stated that research on diseases on the internet can reach dimensions that affect social and occupational functionality, saying, "Then some problems start to arise. They magnify very simple symptoms that can occur in anyone or, despite the absence of symptoms, they begin to create symptoms by paying excessive attention to themselves. This further increases their anxiety level. If there is a very mild pain, as they think about it more, their bodies become more tense, and the pain can increase. As the anxiety level rises, the sympathetic system of individuals is activated. The perception of danger, which we call alarm, begins to emerge, and there is a significant release of hormones. Even if these individuals have very mild symptoms, we see that the pain symptoms can increase even more with that tension," he explained.
"SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS SHOULD BE READ WHILE RESEARCHING" Dr. Şahin pointed out that people turn to the internet for research to escape uncertainty but need to be careful while doing so, offering the following advice: "They want to access information to eliminate this uncertainty, which is very natural. However, it is important to access scientific information while doing this. They can reach the information provided by our valuable doctors in very reputable hospitals regarding diseases. They can read scientific journals and resources. When they access unnecessary information on the internet and reach certain forms or exaggerated places, we see that their anxiety levels significantly increase."
IF THESE SYMPTOMS ARE PRESENT, PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT SHOULD BE SOUGHT Describing the symptoms of cyberchondria and when professional support should be sought, Şahin stated, "If a person's social and occupational functionality has started to be seriously disrupted, if they are researching on the internet for 1 or 2 hours a day and then obsessive-compulsive thoughts, which we call obsessive thoughts, begin to emerge, if the person cannot distance themselves from it, if they start to ruminate on it repeatedly in their mind, and if they cannot perform their normal work and functions, it indicates a serious problem. At this point, there is a risk of an increase in disorders such as illness anxiety disorder, somatic symptom disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. If the risk is this high, it is essential to seek support from clinical psychologists, psychotherapists, and psychiatrists," he said.
IT WILL BE CONSIDERED A NEW DISEASE WITHIN 7 YEARS Muzaffer Şahin stated that with the increase in such searches in the internet age, cyberchondria could be recognized as a new disease in the medical world with DSM-6 and ICD codes within 7-8 years.