Nagaland: Illness anxiety drives patients online, raising mental health concerns

Alpha Rahjone Pukhomai

DIMAPUR — The internet has made health information more accessible than ever, but it has also fuelled a rise in illness anxiety disorder, or hypochondriasis.

A growing manifestation of this is “cyberchondria”—excessive online searching for symptoms—which experts warn is contributing to mental health problems, including in Nagaland.

Speaking to Eastern Mirror, Imlibenla Mongro, a clinical psychologist at Christian Institute of Health Sciences & Research (CIHSR) described illness anxiety disorder as a “mental disorder” where people with health-related anxiety tend to use the internet for research and hound various doctors for different opinions, medications and various tests. Illness anxiety, she said, often begins in adulthood and is more common in people with anxious personalities or those who have recovered from major illnesses.

Mongro urged patients to stop Googling every physical sensation and families to avoid judging or reprimanding them, as this increases anxiety. She said the internet tends to present worst-case scenarios, and symptoms often appear to match, making patients paranoid and distrustful of doctors’ advice.

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According to her, recovery is heavily dependent on recognising the condition as psychological rather than physical. However, this often becomes a hurdle, as sufferers often believe they have an undiagnosed medical illness.

Recovery time can range from months to years. Older people who frequently search online may have milder symptoms but should still have check-ups every 6-8 months due to age-related risks, she explained.

Treatment options

Suyimtenla Jamir from State Mental Health Institute in Kohima noted that treatment is challenging, with many patients dropping out after only a few sessions. Most patients seek help only when anxiety becomes severe, making early intervention and treatment difficult.

Psychologists from the CIHSR told this newspaper that there are several effective treatment options, including psychotherapy, and encouraged patients not to limit themselves to medical assessments.

“There is absolutely nothing wrong with seeking medical evaluations, and regular health check-ups are important. But if medical tests show everything is normal and the anxiety persists, it may be time to consult a mental health professional,” they advised.

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Mosh, a new mother, recounted experiencing prenatal depression alongside hypochondriasis after a gynaecologist told her she had six months to conceive naturally before IVF would be considered. “It affected me so badly that I couldn’t sleep for almost 3 months. During those sleepless nights, I was engrossed in researching on the web,” she said, adding that it was only with therapy and a self-imposed “Google ban” that she recovered.

Akhrienuo, a former nurse, stated that the root cause of all is ultimately fear, and the solution to overcoming it is controlling one’s thoughts and being disciplined instead of being addicted to browsing. “As a Christian, one should remember that fear and phobias can be cured by pouring out to God,” she added.

Sharing her experience with the disorder, Jennifer, who is in her 20s, recalled that her symptoms began in 2022 when she started Googling several times a day, even when not sick. “It became obsessive. I skipped work, cancelled plans, and constantly panicked about my health. A simple throat infection triggered it, making me hyperaware of every small body change,” she said.

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This illness also affected her siblings, who had copied her anxious habits, which in turn motivated her to change. “Journaling, limiting Google use, and joining support groups helped me recover,” she added.

For 16-year-old Noah (name changed), a family history of diabetes drove him to seek constant online medical advice. “After researching, I found out that genetics play a significant role in developing type-2 diabetes, which both my mother and grandmother have. I don't want to amputate my feet and hands and lose my eyesight,” he said.

Though his anxiety was mild, it caused mood swings.

A college student who did not wish to be named shared that after frequently staying up late, he once woke up vomiting on an empty stomach. The incident triggered health anxiety, leading to constant symptom-checking online from September to February 2024, even after changing his habits.

Drinking plenty of water to stay fresh and maintaining a regular sleep schedule helped him recover. The anxiety had affected his grades, which motivated him to make changes and recover quickly.

Another individual took a different approach to manage her anxiety by distracting herself with baking, gaming, and chores. “It wasn’t some major illness. I suddenly lost weight from all the stress, and that’s when people at home started noticing and getting worried.”

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Her recovery was a gradual process, driven mainly by a strong sense of responsibility toward her family. Medication helped restore balance and kept her from complete isolation, while walks in open spaces brought comfort and a feeling of closeness to her late father. Baking and gaming served as welcome distractions, but it was time spent outdoors that made her feel truly alive and signalled the beginning of genuine healing, she said.

Former nurse Akhrienuo believes fear is the root cause. “One should control thoughts and avoid internet addiction. As a Christian, I believe fear can be overcome through prayer,” she said.

Experts, meanwhile, warned that health-related information on social media—including WhatsApp messages and Instagram reels—can be misleading if shared by unqualified influencers. While such content may be intended to raise awareness, it can cause unnecessary fear or confusion.

The health professionals further advise verifying any health claims with a qualified doctor before acting on them.

(Alpha Rahjone Pukhomai is a student of English at Tetso College and currently interning with Eastern Mirror).