Self-diagnosis instead of a doctor: how a common headache can turn into a brain tumor

Friday, Jan 23, 2026

Gazeta Wyborcza

Online health information seeking is rising globally, driven by healthcare access issues and AI’s unreliable data quality.

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[This is an automatically generated summary, for reference only]

The article discusses the growing trend of people self-diagnosing using the internet and artificial intelligence, referencing a scene from “The Pitt” where parental distrust of medical procedures fueled by online information is highlighted. An AI expert notes that the issue with chatbots lies not just in the technology but in the reliability and intent of the data they are trained on. Data shows significant public reliance on digital sources for health information across various countries, such as over 52% in Spain. In some nations like Greece, low rates of doctor visits have led to increased use of the internet for health solutions. Conversely, in Czechia, a very high percentage of people regularly seek health information online, leading to concerns about cyberchondria. Similar issues are noted in Bulgaria, where limited access to healthcare has fueled self-diagnosis and anxiety. Experts explain that while seeking answers is natural, excessive online research can worsen physical discomfort through stress and prolonged focus on potential illnesses.

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