Is your doctor not giving you the attention you deserve? Do you believe your doctor misdiagnosed your condition? It could be a sign of medical gaslighting. It seems impossible to happen in a medical setting, but experts say it does.
What Does Gaslighting in Health Care Mean?
The term medical gaslighting refers to patients who believe their symptoms were dismissed as insignificant or labeled as primarily psychological by doctors, according to the Advisory Board.
It can result in missed diagnoses, ineffective treatment, and even medical trauma. It can happen to anyone, but women and people of color are more likely to be victims.
Women Often Experience Medical Gaslighting
According to one study published in Academic Emergency Medicine, women who went to the ER with severe stomach pain had to wait nearly 33% longer than men with the same symptoms.
When asked why medical gaslighting occurs in this day and age, Dr. Bella Grossman said in an interview with Northwell Health that she believes psychological and social influences contribute to women being gaslighted.
Men, for example, have a tendency to be more vocal and persistent in their concerns. Women may have a more difficult time resisting and advocating for themselves.
They believe they must be good patients, which entails accepting what their doctors say. However, by doing so, they are depriving themselves of a voice.
Black Patients Experience Medical Gaslighting Too
According to research, people of color frequently receive poor-quality medical care. Doctors are more likely to describe Black patients as non-compliant or agitated than white patients, which could lead to health care disparities.
Medical Gaslighting Signs or Red Flags
Dr. Jennifer H. Mieres, a cardiology professor at Hofstra/Northwell, said, "Gaslighting is real; it happens all the time."
Gaslighting can be deceptive and difficult to spot. Experts advise looking for the following red flags when seeking medical attention.
- The provider frequently interrupts you and does not appear to be an engaged listener.
- The symptoms are minimized or downplayed by your provider.
- The doctor refuses to talk about your symptoms.
- The doctor refuses to order necessary imaging or laboratory tests to rule out or confirm a diagnosis.
- The provider appears to be rude, condescending, or dismissive.
- Mental illness is blamed for your symptoms, but you are not referred to a mental health professional or screened for it.
How to Avoid Medical Gaslighting
- Prepare questions to ask yourself and others as new information is presented.
- Bring along a trusted friend or relative to serve as your support person, whether emotionally or simply to take notes during the appointment.
- Focus on your most pressing concern. Prior to your appointment, take ten minutes to write down a list of bullet points that concisely state why you are there.
What to Do When Doctors Aren't Taking You Seriously
- Change providers. If at all possible, ask your doctor for an in-network referral. If you are hesitant to ask your doctor for a referral, you can speak with a patient liaison or nurse manager. Seek recommendations from friends and family, or call your insurance company to find someone in-network.
- Consider joining a support group that might offer helpful resources and knowledge.
- If you are receiving care in a hospital setting, you can contact the patient advocacy team. You could also talk to your doctor's boss about it.
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