We're all been there! When a small cough or red bump on skin leads you to the internet instead of a doctor! Luckily the internet is full of information, and you'll be presented with a number of possibilities! When Dr. Google could not help you with your symptoms, you finally decide to consult the physician, and he will give you proper medication on your illness that hadn’t even made it onto your online short-list!
You’re not alone in turning to the internet for therapeutic advice. According to The Atlantic reports, in one year, 97.5 million Americans used healthcare websites for information. Online self-diagnosis resources may seem like saviours in those moments. But many dangers are hiding with your quick self-diagnostic remedies! When it comes to physical or mental health, it's essential to rely only on a certified medical practitioner for your diagnosis. Here are the problems with self-diagnostics and why you should not consult Dr. Google.
Risks of Self-Diagnosis
Cyberchondria, it's what happens to you when you Googling your symptoms for a possible explanation. With the rise of the internet and related information on everything, your health solutions may seem a click away. And the anxiety developing alongside with your free google search information is what is called Cyberchondria or Compucondria. And the risks associated with this behavior include:
Risk of misdiagnosis: Risk of misdiagnosis may lead to severe self-disposition mistakes. The first risk associated with this behavior is that chances are you might miss some significant or minor symptoms related to your health, which in turn causes you to misdiagnose yourselves, probably resulting in a disastrous diagnosis.
For example, someone might think they have a severe anxiety condition or something, and they might look upon Google for their concerns. By consulting with a healthcare professional might shed light on any underlying medical problems. And the person might treat themselves with other medications, and it may lead to other medical issues.
Risk of wrong treatment: Another risk associated with this behavior is they may often find remedies for their own self-diagnosed disease. They might end up experimenting with a bunch of medications, and some may again cause serious illness.
For example, they might treat their obesity with pills prescribed for another person, and these pills may not efficiently work for them, or they may be illegal drugs. Or they might starve themselves to lose their weight, which is not a good idea at all. Starving yourself is not a healthy option, and it may develop other health issues, including severe eating disorders. A person without much knowledge about this lifestyle may not know these side effects.
Risk of delay in treatment: Self-diagnosis is often followed by self-treatment of diseases. Sometimes the person may get no treatment by thinking that there is no treatment for his “self-diagnosed disease.” For example, someone may have severe depression, and he believes that getting a good nap and listening to his favorite songs may help him to get over it. Or they may think that they're overreacting or being too emotional may prevent them from getting proper healthcare. In that case, they might ignore their symptoms or cope up with their illness.
This situation is very dangerous. Delaying or avoiding therapy for mental illness can be deadly, just like delaying treatment for any other disease. Don't make the misconception of convincing yourself that your mental illness will be cured itself, or it will go away by itself. Mental health symptoms should not be ignored until the time is more convenient. Delaying treatment for mental illness could mean getting to a very dark isolated place or becoming more dysfunctional and less able to make decisions on your behalf. Let someone know what you are going through. Visit a certified healthcare professional for your treatment.
There is nothing wrong with behavior only if you have a clear idea of your mental condition and know when to seek medical help. Googling your health condition is okay only if you know you're having it and want to learn more about the mental condition. But the real problem is many mental conditions may have similar symptoms, and deciding you have this or that particular disease based on the symptoms may alone prevent you from getting actual treatment for the actual mental illness.
For example, a person may experience various mood swings. And mood swings can happen for multiple mental reasons, including PMS, stress, substance abuse, or any other mental illness. And other mental health problems like depression, bipolar, and personality disorders have the same symptoms as mood swings. Therefore, without consulting a certified health practitioner, one cannot identify his illness with the help of some google results. And even if they find out what their problem is most likely, they would treat their mental health by their health plans, which may lead to consuming illegal drugs or doses.
Why You Should Visit a Healthcare Provider
It is common to look at Google for answers when, especially, it is full of free information. But believing you have an illness based on the information is a wrong practice. There are various types of certified mental health practitioners specialized in each field where you can see to discuss your psychological health-related issues. They are maybe psychiatrists or psychologists.
If you are confused about who to approach: a psychiatrist or psychologist, a psychiatrist is a trained medical doctor who will diagnose and prescribe medication to cure your mental illness. On the other hand, if you visit a psychologist, they will thoroughly work with you to identify your disease mentally and emotionally to provide you proper counselling programs. They will not prescribe any medication for you.
The internet can be a powerful extension for people who want to learn things and want to get fit and healthy. But it will be good to stick with reliable sites when searching for health-related articles and information. If you're looking for mental health-related information or struggling with mental health concerns for you or for someone you love, it will be good to consult with a certified mental health-related practitioner. And most of all, you do not have to DIY your mental health!
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