Congratulations! You’ve completed your unofficial degree in Internet Medicine and diagnosed yourself with something terrifying.
In a world overflowing with online “experts,” it’s easy to fall into the trap of self-diagnosing through a rabbit hole of Google searches or Chat GPT. But this line of reasoning can quickly turn into turmoil when suddenly, you’ve convinced yourself you have a disease you can hardly pronounce and didn’t even know existed yesterday. This anxiety-driven diagnosis you concluded via your phone can be full of misinformation and downright untrue. Luckily, our friends at Virtua Health are here to help you stay calm and learn how to identify trusted health care sources.
Smart, simple ways to take charge of your health without spiraling into overwhelm
If you want to stay proactive about your health without spiraling into emotional chaos, try keeping a symptom journal or writing down a list of questions to bring to your doctor. These could be as simple as, “Is it normal to feel this tired every afternoon?” or “Could this headache be related to my diet?”. Going to your next appointment with the journal will help you take charge of your health while receiving the proper guidance to navigate your concerns with clarity and confidence. Remember, there is no such thing as a silly question!
Set a "Worry Window"
Give yourself 10 minutes to research or explore your concerns, then move on to something grounding like taking a walk, calling a friend, or even folding laundry (yes, really). This will prevent the endless doom scroll that is bound to cause unwarranted anxiety.
Practice Digital Boundaries
Avoid searching your symptoms late at night, when your mind is vulnerable to stress. Instead, write the concerns in your journal and review them in the morning with a clear mind. If you’re still concerned about them after a night’s rest, consider whether or not it might be time to make an appointment with your doctor to talk about them.
Bring a Support Person to Appointments
It can be easy to feel like you forgot to get out all your concerns to your doctor after you leave your appointment. Asking a friend, family member, or anyone you trust if they could accompany you to your appointment can help you specify details, ask questions you miss, and offer emotional support.
Taking care of yourself doesn’t mean doing it by yourself. Trust your provider to help guide the way
Your physical health is so important and so is your mental well-being. Stay informed and be in tune with yourself but remember to contact a real doctor when you need it. Our friends at Virtua Health have primary care physicians across more than 30 locations in South Jersey. Connect with a physician today.
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