I personally know the feeling of having a physician not believe what I am telling him/her that is going on with my body. Oh, the many times I have been dismissed and being told the lab work doesn't show anything." And this statement by physicians have landed me in the hospital many times. And looking for new physicians who would provide me care.
Living with a chronic illness can be incredibly challenging. On top of managing your symptoms, you may also face disbelief or dismissal from the medical community. This phenomenon, known as medical gaslighting, can be incredibly damaging to your health and well-being.
Medical gaslighting refers to the phenomenon where healthcare professionals dismiss or undermine the symptoms and concerns of patients, often attributing them to psychological causes rather than investigating and validating their physical complaints. This issue is particularly prevalent among patients with chronic illnesses, who frequently face skepticism and disbelief about their symptoms, leading to delayed diagnoses and inadequate care.
Understanding Medical Gaslighting
Medical gaslighting can manifest in various ways, including:
Dismissal of Symptoms: Healthcare providers may attribute chronic pain, fatigue, or other symptoms to stress or mental health issues without conducting thorough examinations.
Minimization: Patients’ concerns are downplayed, with doctors suggesting that symptoms are exaggerated or not as severe as described.
Attribution to Psychological Causes: Chronic illness symptoms are often labeled as psychosomatic, with patients being told their symptoms are “all in their head.”
Inadequate Testing: Essential diagnostic tests may be withheld because symptoms are not taken seriously, leading to misdiagnosis or delayed treatment.
Why Does Medical Gaslighting Happen?
There are several reasons why medical gaslighting might occur:
Lack of knowledge: Doctors may not be familiar with certain chronic illnesses, leading them to dismiss your symptoms as something else.
Time constraints: Busy schedules can lead doctors to rush through appointments, not giving you enough time to fully explain your situation.
Implicit bias: Unconscious biases about gender, age, or weight can lead some doctors to take certain patients less seriously.
The Impact of Medical Gaslighting
Medical gaslighting can have a profound impact on your health. It can lead to:
Delayed diagnosis and treatment
Increased anxiety and depression
Feelings of isolation and frustration
Worsened symptoms
Reduced Quality of Life: Without proper diagnosis and treatment, patients’ quality of life deteriorates, affecting their personal and professional lives.
Addressing Medical Gaslighting
Combating medical gaslighting involves several approaches:
Education and Training: Medical professionals should receive training on chronic illnesses and the importance of validating patients' experiences.
Patient Advocacy: Encouraging patients to advocate for themselves, seek second opinions, and bring someone to appointments for support.
Support Groups: Providing platforms for patients to share their experiences and receive emotional support.
Policy Changes: Implementing policies that ensure comprehensive evaluations and emphasize the importance of listening to patients.
How to Advocate for Yourself
If you suspect you're being medically gaslighted, here are some things you can do:
Gather information: Learn as much as you can about your chronic illness. This will help you advocate for yourself and ask informed questions.
Keep a detailed journal: Track your symptoms, including their severity and frequency.
Seek a second opinion: Don't hesitate to find a doctor who listens to your concerns and takes them seriously.
Report the incident: If you feel a doctor has mistreated you, you can file a complaint with their licensing board.
Getting Support
Remember, you are not alone. Many people with chronic illnesses experience medical gaslighting. Here are some resources that can help:
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): https://www.nami.org/
The American Chronic Illness Education Society (ACE): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8462987/
The Mighty: https://themighty.com/ (Chronic illness patient community)
Comments