We all become anxious about our health at one time or another. Health anxiety, also referred to as hypochondria is "a belief that physical symptoms are signs of serious illness, even when there is no medical evidence to support the presence of an illness." [1] Those with hypochondria are often thought to purposely make up symptoms but that is not the case and are sometimes dismissed by doctors as "attention seeking." But hypochondria is a real disorder and those with it are often unable to control their worrying.

The internet, a vast source of health information, can sometimes feed into the fears and worries of those with health anxiety. According to a Pew Research survey, more Americans go online for health information every day than visit a doctor. Back in 2002, almost ten years ago, the survey revealed more than 6 million Americans using the internet to find health information on a daily basis. [2]

While it is good to be an educated patient, this constant search for information about your health can cause even more anxiety:

• Not all health sites are reputable. Anyone can post something on the internet, even if the information is wrong or misleading. There are many accurate, reputable websites but there are just as many that offer quick-fix cures or alternative treatments that waste your money but don't have any evidence to support their claims.
• Vague symptoms can be over-researched. It is easy to get carried away looking up every little symptom, finding a number of conditions or diseases that may have similar symptoms.
• Information is not balanced. Often, when looking up illnesses, we tend to focus on the negative information rather than balancing our view and looking for solutions rather than harping on the worst-case scenario.

This isn't to say we should not be involved in our health care or learn about our illness or medical condition. I very much believe in being an educated and involved patient, one who works in a partnership with our doctor to find the best possible treatment for our unique situation. I believe that doctors should treat patients, not symptoms. But that said, sometimes, too much information works against us. When searching on the internet for health information, keep the following in mind:

Your doctor is your partner. That means you should not tell him how to treat you and he shouldn't give you orders on how to care for yourself without a discussion about what is best. It is your job, as a patient, to know about your condition and to share what you know. It is also your job to listen to your doctor and have an open discussion about treatment options.

You are entitled to a second opinion if you don't agree with your doctor. If you have valid concerns about the opinions or suggested treatment your doctor has given you, you have every right to seek out a second opinion. However, it probably isn't in your best interest to "doctor shop" until you find a doctor that agrees with you or will continue to run tests or perform more procedures just because you think it is best.