Digital Psychology & Health Anxiety · 90 secs
Cyberchondria Screener: Free 12-Item Online Health Anxiety Test (Starcevic CSS)
Do you spend hours googling physical symptoms at 2 AM, obsess over smartwatch heart rate spikes, and distrust doctor clearances? Screen cyberchondria based on the Starcevic CSS model.
Scientific Overview
Cyberchondria is the compulsive online searching for health and medical information, which paradoxically amplifies health anxiety, catastrophic confirmation bias, and somatic symptom mimicry.
What This Assessment Evaluates
- Measures 3 clinical subscales: Compulsive Searching & Rabbit Holes, Catastrophic Distress & Bodily Vigilance, and Reassurance Seeking & Medical Mistrust
- Explains how search engine algorithms prioritize sensational, deadly diagnoses over common benign causes
- Unpacks the somatic mimicry loop where reading about illnesses triggers real physical palpitations and tingling
- Provides practical digital health hygiene: 7-day search moratoriums, turning off wearable panic alerts, and audio reflection
How to Take This Test
- Answer honestly based on your experience over the past 7 days.
- There are no right or wrong answers; trust your initial emotional reaction.
- Receive your personalized score breakdown, mascot insight, and custom journaling prompts immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between hypochondria and cyberchondria?
Hypochondria (Illness Anxiety Disorder) is the general fear of serious illness, while cyberchondria specifically involves the compulsive online searching that fuels and worsens that anxiety.
Why does searching symptoms on Google make me feel worse?
Algorithms prioritize rare and catastrophic conditions that get high clicks, creating an illusion of probability that triggers fight-or-flight somatic panic.
Medical Disclaimer
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Takes just a minute. Free, anonymous, and no account required to see your initial results.
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