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Cardiff is caught exhibiting cyberchondriac tendencies
The internet has created an extensive information collection modality for people who are interested in better educating themselves on human and veterinary health topics. Subsequently, Time Magazine’s Verbatim section recently enlightened readers with this unique term:
Cyberchondriac n.--Someone who needlessly fears the worst after using the Internet to self-diagnose an ailment. Usage: "Health information online is breeding a generation of cyberchondriacs." --BBC, Dec. 1, 2008
Occasionally, I encounter cyberchondriacism in my clinical practice. Clients may present their pet for exam, clinical diagnosis, and treatment AFTER they have achieved a diagnosis, or list of diagnoses, based on information they have found on-line. I appreciate the fact that these owners take the initiative to better inform themselves about potential health issues that may affect their pets. Unfortunately, pet owner cyberchondriacism can reveal information leading to the conclusion that their pet is afflicted by an unlikely or inappropriately severe condition. The medical community recognizes such an unlikely diagnosis with the slang term “zebra.” Once a pet owner realizes their pet does is not afflicted by a “zebra” disease, the often emotionally distressing and serious implications of a pet’s illness is somewhat lessened.
Internet searching can yield numerous reliable and less reliable outlets for pet owners to find information pertaining to their pet’s health. Pet cyberchondriacism can be reduced by visiting sites such as Veterinary Partner or VetInfo.
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