Brits are now self-diagnosing cyberchondriacs
Millions of Brits have tried to diagnose an illness online and ended up convincing themselves they're seriously ill or even dying, it has been found.Researchers discovered more than six out of ten adults now turn to the web rather than their GP when they begin to feel under the weather.
And almost half of those have then convinced themselves they are suffering from a serious illness.
One-in-five even said they'd managed to worry themselves into believing they were in the early stages of a heart attack after Googling their symptoms.
In good news, the study give us hope the headache we're currently suffering might not be a brain tumour after all.
Other common, but less serious misdiagnoses, include mistaking a stomach upset for food poisoning and believing a common cold was in fact an attack of flu.
The study, carried out among 3,000 adults by Engage Mutual, also revealed more than a third of those with headaches had convinced themselves they had a migraine, while 28 per cent of people with abdominal pain mistakenly self-diagnosed appendicitis.
Tina Clare at Engage Mutual said: "We seem to be a nation of worriers when it comes to our health.
"Forty six per cent of people are worried about getting a terminal illness, and many are convincing themselves that everyday symptoms are indicative of serious ill health.
"While the internet can be a great information resource, it is always best to see a doctor when ill. Not only can a medical professional put your mind at rest, they can also check out all the symptoms and tell you what the matter really is."
LINKS
Engage Mutual
The study, carried out among 3,000 adults by Engage Mutual, also revealed more than a third of those with headaches had convinced themselves they had a migraine, while 28 per cent of people with abdominal pain mistakenly self-diagnosed appendicitis.
Tina Clare at Engage Mutual said: "We seem to be a nation of worriers when it comes to our health.
"Forty six per cent of people are worried about getting a terminal illness, and many are convincing themselves that everyday symptoms are indicative of serious ill health.
"While the internet can be a great information resource, it is always best to see a doctor when ill. Not only can a medical professional put your mind at rest, they can also check out all the symptoms and tell you what the matter really is."
LINKS
Engage Mutual
