City college students rely heavily on online health info

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: A study from Nimhans among college students has found that a large number of them suffer from 'Cyberchondriasis', an abnormal behaviour pattern where one excessively searches for health information online. Over 356 college-going students were involved in the study. The particular behaviour is triggered by one’s anxiety about their state of health.

However, it only amplifies negative feelings rather than suppressing them. On the other hand, a person showing the behaviour may not necessarily have a health issue. In fact, the study showed that a mere 4.8 per cent of all the participants were found to have a health issue upon consultation by a doctor.

The study has made use of the globally-used Cyberchondriasis Severity Scale while also developing its own cut-off point to identify the group with Cyberchondriasis. The scale is based on four different aspects – the amount of time spent online, distrusting the information that is found, conducting further research for reassurance and compulsive behaviour to sudden;y check for information regarding one’s health.