Abstract

CYBERCHONDRIA AND ANXIETY IN AMIDST OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC – A REVIEW

Athira Mohan S.*, Sowparnika Treasa Sabu and Prof. Dr. Shaiju S. Dharan

Abstract

Background: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), that causes corona virus disease (COVID-19), was first noticed in December 2019 in Wuhan city, China, and later the same was spread in major provinces in China. During the outbreak of an infectious disease, the general public will be in massive urge to seek details regarding disease mode of transmission, symptoms, duration, complication, treatment cost, at present scenario. A cardinal cause of today‟s major health-related dilemmas are social determinants. Health disparities confirms link between SDoH and health outcomes. A condition characterised by misinterpretations on one‟s health status, feeling that the person is terribly ill is called Hypochondriasis. A state of escalation of health concerns brought about by visiting or browsing medical websites via internet is called as Cyberchondria. When COVID-19 developed to global pandemic, all forms of media were jam-packed with conjectures and reports related to the causes and consequences, this now aggravates health anxiety of general public. Methods: Previously published articles regarding cyberchondria, influence of social media on mental health and its association with COVID-19 and other similar pandemics was collected and reviewed. Conclusion: Active occupancy of health professionals on social media, furtherance in long term public health literacy are the most implored or suggested strategies to withheld misinformation transmitted to the general public. Delivery of misinformation via social media and health websites should be assessed and thus prevent the spread of cyberchondria, or else it can mislead the general public impairing quality of life of individuals.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; Cyberchondria; Social determinants of health (SDoH).