Are You Experiencing Medical Gaslighting? - What To Do

Medical gaslighting is a growing concern for women, with many reporting that their symptoms are dismissed or attributed to psychological conditions without adequate investigation.

While it can be emotionally distressing, there are steps you can take to advocate for themselves and ensure they receive the care they need.

In this article, we'll explore the concept, how to recognise the signs, and how you can protect yourself.

Understanding medical gaslighting

Medical gaslighting refers to a situation where healthcare professionals dismiss, downplay, or question a patient's symptoms, making the patient doubt their own perception of their health.

It can include being told symptoms are "in your head," not taken seriously, or attributed to anxiety or stress without thorough investigation. This issue disproportionately affects women, especially when it comes to conditions like endometriosis, chronic pain, and heart disease.

There is increasing recognition that women face significant challenges in getting their concerns taken seriously by doctors.

For instance, women with generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) are more likely to have their physical symptoms misattributed to anxiety, leading to delayed or incorrect diagnoses. The impact can be devastating, resulting in prolonged suffering, unnecessary tests, and even severe complications.

*The impact can be devastating, resulting in prolonged suffering, unnecessary tests, and even severe complications.*

Why are women particularly vulnerable?

The roots stem from a long history of gender bias in healthcare. Research shows that doctors often perceive women’s symptoms as exaggerated or as manifestations of psychological stress, even when they are reporting serious physical issues.

This is especially true for conditions that predominantly affect women, such as reproductive health issues. Systemic issues in the field, such as the underfunding of research into female-specific conditions, heighten the problem.

For women of colour and those with mental health diagnoses, the situation can be even worse. Discrimination, unconscious bias, and diagnostic overshadowing – where a psychological condition is blamed for unrelated physical symptoms – are more common in these groups.

How to recognise the signs

Recognising medical gaslighting can be difficult, as it often involves subtle behaviours from healthcare providers. Common signs include:

Being told your symptoms are "all in your head"
Having your concerns dismissed without proper tests or investigations
Feeling rushed or interrupted during consultations
Doctors attributing everything to stress, anxiety, or hormones
Having your symptoms minimised, or being laughed at or patronised

If you find yourself experiencing these behaviours, it is essential to trust your instincts. You know your body best, and your concerns deserve to be taken seriously.

*Understanding your condition or symptoms can empower you to ask the right questions and push for further investigations.*

Protecting yourself

While medical gaslighting is rooted in systemic issues, there are steps you can take to protect yourself:

Educate yourself: Understanding your condition or symptoms can empower you to ask the right questions and push for further investigations.
Keep a detailed record: Document your symptoms, when they occur, and any changes. This can provide concrete evidence to share with doctors and can help highlight patterns that need further exploration.
Seek a second opinion: Don’t hesitate to find another doctor if you feel your concerns are not being addressed. Sometimes, switching to a specialist in women’s health can yield better results.
Bring an advocate: Having a trusted friend or family member present during appointments can ensure you have support and backup if your worries are dismissed.
Consider legal action: If it has led to serious harm or misdiagnosis, you may have grounds for a medical negligence claim.

*Document your symptoms, when they occur, and any changes. Use smart health apps alongside keeping detailed notes to present a full overview to your doctor.*

*Don’t hesitate to find another doctor if you feel your concerns are not being addressed. Sometimes, switching to a specialist in women’s health can yield better results.*

While medical gaslighting remains a significant issue for women, taking proactive steps can improve your chances of getting appropriate care. By knowing your rights, speaking up, and seeking the right support, you can protect yourself from the damaging effects of medical dismissiveness.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST

sarah graham - Health care Journalist & Author

Have you ever had a health concern that you feel was dismissed? Have you been made to feel small for daring to ask questions regarding yours or your family’s health? Then our guest this week will help you discover ways in which you can reset the balance and get the answers you deserve.
Sarah Graham is the journalist and author behind the hugely successful book Rebel Bodies which has already been named as one of this year’s most fascinating reads. Focussing on the gender health gap it is a passionate and powerful manifesto for reform in womens health care.