Cyberchondria Severity Scale
| Questions | Never | Rarely | Sometimes | Often | Always | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Researching disease symptoms or health complaints online prevents me from spending time on Facebook, Twitter, and other social networks. | |||||
| 2. | Researching disease symptoms or health complaints online disrupts my online leisure activities such as watching movies. | |||||
| 3. | Researching disease symptoms or health complaints online interferes with my other work or studies. | |||||
| 4. | Researching disease symptoms or health complaints online interferes with my job. | |||||
| 5. | Researching disease symptoms or health complaints online interferes with my offline social activities, such as reducing time spent with family or friends. | |||||
| 6. | Researching disease symptoms or health complaints online interferes with my offline daily tasks. | |||||
| 7. | Researching disease symptoms or health complaints online prevents me from reading news, sports, or entertainment articles online. | |||||
| 8. | Researching disease symptoms or health complaints online hinders or slows down my online communications via Skype, WhatsApp, Messenger, or Viber. | |||||
| 9. | I cannot relax after researching disease symptoms or health complaints online. | |||||
| 10. | My anxiety increases after researching disease symptoms or health complaints online. | |||||
| 11. | . I panic when I read online that my symptoms or complaints could indicate a rare or serious illness. | |||||
| 12. | . I believe I am completely fine until I read information about a serious illness online. | |||||
| 13. | I feel more anxious or distressed after researching disease symptoms or health complaints online. | |||||
| 14. | Hastalık belirtilerini/şikâyetlerimi internette araştırdıktan sonra iştahımı kaybederim. | |||||
| 15. | I find it difficult to soothe my worries regarding the disease symptoms or complaints I researched online. | |||||
| 16. | . I have difficulty falling asleep due to the information I find after researching disease symptoms or health complaints online. | |||||
| 17. | If I notice an unexplained condition in my body, I research it online. | |||||
| 18. | I repeatedly search for the same disease symptoms or health complaints online. | |||||
| 19. | While researching disease symptoms or complaints online, I visit websites where patients discuss their medical conditions, symptoms, and experiences. | |||||
| 20. | I read multiple web pages regarding the same medical condition. | |||||
| 21. | I read the exact same webpage multiple times regarding my symptoms or complaints. | |||||
| 22. | When I type my symptoms into a search engine, I assume that results are ranked by disease prevalence and that top entries represent the most likely diagnosis. | |||||
| 23. | When researching disease symptoms or complaints online, I only visit trusted websites. | |||||
| 24. | When researching disease symptoms or complaints online, I visit both trusted websites and forums where patients share experiences. | |||||
| 25. | Researching disease symptoms or health complaints online prompts me to consult my family physician. | |||||
| 26. | I discuss the medical information I find online with my family physician or healthcare professionals. | |||||
| 27. | . I suggest diagnostic methods that I read about online (such as biopsy, CT, MRI, special blood tests) to my family physician or specialist. | |||||
| 28. | Researching disease symptoms or health complaints online leads me to seek appointments with medical specialists across different fields. | |||||
| 29. | Discussing the online medical information related to my health problems with my family doctor provides me with relief. | |||||
| 30. | I often think that I would not have visited a doctor if I had not researched my symptoms online. | |||||
| 31. | I value the medical opinion of my family doctor or specialist more than my own online research. | |||||
| 32. | I trust the diagnosis made by my doctor more than any self diagnosis I make online. | |||||
| 33. | If my physician tells me to dismiss the medical information I found online, my anxiety subsides. |
What is the Cyberchondria Severity Scale?
The Cyberchondria Severity Scale is a self-assessment tool that helps evaluate the impact of individuals' health information-seeking behaviors on the internet on their anxiety levels.
The term "cyberchondria" describes the tendency to constantly conduct online research due to health-related concerns. This scale measures the frequency of a person's health-related information-seeking, their level of confidence, and the amount of stress they experience during this process.
It does not provide a diagnosis; however, it guides the individual to increase awareness of their health anxiety and improve their internet usage balance.
What is the Purpose of the Cyberchondria Severity Scale and Why is It Administered?
This scale helps individuals recognize their health-related online information-seeking behaviors.
The goal is to determine the extent to which a person translates the information obtained from the internet into anxiety and the effects of this situation on daily life.
The Cyberchondria Severity Scale provides awareness, especially for individuals who frequently research disease symptoms over the internet and tend to self-diagnose without doctor approval.
The results offer important clues for reviewing health-related thought and behavioral patterns.
Who is the Cyberchondria Severity Scale Suitable For?
The Cyberchondria Severity Scale is suitable for the following individuals:
- People who frequently research disease symptoms on the internet
- Individuals whose anxiety level increases as they search for health-related information
- People who tend to make online diagnoses without consulting a doctor
- Individuals who tend to be easily affected by health-related news or content
- Users experiencing stress due to information pollution or searching for reliable sources
This test is intended solely for raising awareness and does not provide a diagnosis.
Support from a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist is recommended when necessary.
How is the Cyberchondria Severity Scale Administered?
The test is a brief self-assessment form that evaluates the frequency of an individual's health-related research on the internet, their anxiety level, and their approach to information.
The participant responds to statements evaluating their emotional reactions and behaviors while searching for health information.
The administration time is approximately 5–10 minutes and is entirely aimed at developing awareness.
The results provide a general idea about the individual's tendency toward cyberchondria.
How Are the Cyberchondria Severity Scale Results Evaluated?
The test results show the frequency of an individual's health research on the internet and the impact of this behavior on their anxiety level.
High scores may indicate that health-related concerns may increase and online information use may trigger anxiety. More balanced scores indicate that the person exhibits a more controlled approach during the information-seeking process.
The Cyberchondria Severity Scale is not used to make a diagnosis, but rather to raise awareness about health anxiety and support conscious internet use.
When Should the Cyberchondria Severity Scale Be Taken?
An individual can take this test if they frequently research health-related issues on the internet and feel anxiety, fear, or indecision as a result of these researches.
It is also recommended during stressful periods, when disease anxiety increases, or when it is noticed that the online information flow affects psychological balance.
Conclusion
The Cyberchondria Severity Scale is a reliable self-assessment test that helps you realize the impact of health searches made via the internet on anxiety and behaviors.
By taking the test, you can recognize your online information usage habits and consider getting professional support from a mental health specialist if needed.