Cyberchondria During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Indian Perspective

Introduction

Cyberchondria refers to the excessive or repeated online health research related to anxiety associated with health – health anxiety (HA) or distress. It also leads to repeated online searches similar to compulsive behavior which is extremely time consuming and can lead to neglect of other day-to-day chores and activities. It has also been compared to the new-age hypochondriasis – or a counterpart of it – as problematic behaviors like seeking information regarding health. This behavior of repeatedly checking or seeking assurance exists along with negative emotional states – like being anxious or distressed – so these behaviors may persist despite the negative consequences and disturbance to daily tasks, there is increased HA. There is a reassurance seeking model of Cyberchondria which exists due to uncertainty about online searches, doubt over the information available, too much information over online platforms and difficulty in coping with it. Naturally, some information may also be false or contradictory and so cannot be trusted, which further increases anxiety due to uncertainty (Starcevic et al., 2020). In this chapter we shall be discussing what is Cyberchondria, how has this term come into existence, how the concept has evolved, what is its significance in the COVID 19 era, and how to cope with it, besides its treatment and prevention.