A 50-year-old man came to me with complaints of generalized weakness and paleness. When taking his history, he mentioned that he had developed back pain a month ago but had been too busy with work to see a doctor. Instead, he Googled his symptoms and diagnosed himself with a disk bulge due to long sitting hours.
Following online advice, he took painkillers and medications for nerve pain. As his condition worsened and he felt weaker, he finally decided to seek medical help. Upon evaluation, he was found to have a kidney tumor.
This case serves as an eye-opener for those who self-diagnose and mistreat themselves based on internet information. Back pain is a common complaint with many potential causes, ranging from minor injuries to serious diseases. This person is a classic example of IDIOT Syndrome.
Internet Derived Information Obstruction Treatment (IDIOT) Syndrome, also known as Cyberchondria, is a colloquial term used to describe the phenomenon of individuals excessively relying on the internet for medical information, leading to misguided self-diagnosis and self-treatment. This reliance often results in the obstruction of proper medical care and treatment, as individuals may neglect to consult healthcare professionals. The term highlights the risks associated with the abundance of health information available online, which can be misleading or incorrect.
IDIOT Syndrome can affect anyone with access to the internet, but certain groups are more prone to it: : IDIOT Syndrome,.