Medical Gaslighting

Medical Gaslighting: Spot It, Speak Up, Heal

Have you ever left a doctor’s appointment feeling dismissed, unheard, or questioning your own symptoms? If so, you might have experienced medical gaslighting – a concerning phenomenon that affects millions of patients, particularly those from marginalized communities. As awareness grows about this issue, it’s crucial to understand what it is, how to recognize it, and most importantly, how to advocate for yourself in medical settings.

What is Medical Gaslighting? 

Medical gaslighting occurs when healthcare providers dismiss, downplay, or ignore patients’ symptoms, making them question their own reality. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it happens when a provider’s behavior makes you feel “unheard, unimportant, or unwelcome” and may even cause you to question if your symptoms are real.

As defined by The Bridge Chronicle, medical gaslighting involves healthcare providers dismissing or overlooking symptoms – making patients question their perception, judgment, or sanity.

Common medical gaslighting examples include:

• “It’s probably just stress.”
• “You’re too young to have that problem.”
• “You just have a low pain tolerance.”
• “It’s all in your head.”
• “So many people your age deal with this. It’s normal.”
• “You might just need to lose weight.”

These dismissive responses can lead to delayed diagnoses, worsened conditions, and significant psychological manipulation of patients who begin to doubt their own experiences.

The Prevalence and Impact: Who’s Most Affected?

While medical gaslighting can happen to anyone, certain groups experience it disproportionately. According to Calm Blog, it happens at higher rates among:

• Women, especially when dealing with pain or reproductive issues
• People of color, particularly Black patients
• LGBTQ+ individuals
• Neurodivergent people (those with ADHD, autism, etc.)
• Patients with chronic or “invisible” illnesses
• Older adults
• People with mental health histories
• Those with lower socioeconomic status
• People in larger bodies

The impact of medical gaslighting extends far beyond frustration. It can lead to missed diagnoses, delayed treatment, and broken trust between patients and healthcare providers. As shared in personal accounts on Healthline, the trauma from being gaslit can prevent patients from seeking necessary care in the future.

Identifying the Signs: How to Know When It’s Happening

Recognizing medical gaslighting is the first step toward addressing it. Harvard Health Publishing identifies several red flags that may indicate you’re being gaslit, including a healthcare provider who:

• Doesn’t listen or interrupts you
• Diminishes your symptoms
• Blames your symptoms on your age, gender, weight, or lifestyle habits
• Says your symptoms are probably due to anxiety or stress
• Rushes you through an appointment

Medical Gaslighting. Additional warning signs from the Cleveland Clinic include:

• Diagnosing you without a thorough examination
• Refusing to address certain topics or concerns
• Making assumptions about you
• Ignoring requests for tests or referrals without explanation
• Shaming or blaming you for your condition

The Role of Gender and Cultural Factors in Medical Gaslighting

Gender bias in medicine plays a significant role in medical gaslighting. Studies consistently show that women’s symptoms are more likely to be attributed to psychological causes rather than physical ones. According to an article in Harvard Health Publishing, women wait longer for pain medication than men and are more likely to be told their symptoms are psychological rather than physical.

Similarly, cultural and racial factors heavily influence medical care and the likelihood of experiencing gaslighting. Black patients frequently report having their pain taken less seriously and experiencing delayed or inadequate treatment. One particularly alarming statistic from the National Library of Medicine: Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women, partly due to medical neglect. 

How to Respond: Advocating for Yourself in Medical Settings

When faced with medical gaslighting, patient advocacy becomes essential. Here are strategies to help you respond effectively:

Before Your Appointment:

• Keep a detailed symptom journal
• Write down questions and concerns
• Bring medical records and test results
• Consider bringing a trusted support person

During Your Appointment:

• Use clear, specific language about your symptoms
• Ask direct questions like “What else could be causing this?” or “What tests can we do?”
• Request that any refusal of tests or treatment be documented in your chart
• Stay firm but calm in your communication

After Your Appointment:

• Get a second opinion if you feel dismissed
• Consider filing a complaint if necessary
• Practice self-care to process the emotional impact
• Connect with patient advocacy groups for support

As Dr. Mosunic from Calm Blog suggests, “You don’t have to be aggressive – just firm” when advocating for yourself.

Legal and Ethical Considerations: Is Medical Gaslighting Illegal?

While medical gaslighting itself isn’t explicitly illegal, it can potentially constitute medical malpractice if it leads to improper care, delayed diagnosis, or harm to the patient. According to the Law Office of J. Allan Brown, LLC, gaslighting could be part of a medical malpractice claim if it results in substandard care.

If you believe you’ve been harmed due to medical gaslighting, you may have legal options:

• File a complaint with the medical facility or hospital ombudsman
• Report the provider to the state medical board
• Consult with a medical malpractice attorney to determine if you have a case

Remember that successful medical malpractice claims typically require proving that the provider’s actions fell below the standard of care and directly caused harm.

Recovering and Moving Forward: Rebuilding Trust in Healthcare

Recovering from medical gaslighting takes time and intentional effort. Here are some steps that can help:

• Validate your own experiences and feelings
• Work with a mental health professional to process the trauma
• Connect with support groups of others who have had similar experiences
• Carefully research and select new healthcare providers
• Practice assertive communication techniques
• Bring an advocate to future appointments

As Isabella Rosario writes in her personal account on Healthline, “While I don’t let my past trauma control me, I validate the complexity of having to navigate a system with the potential to hurt as well as heal”.

Conclusion: Changing the System Together

Medical gaslighting represents a significant failing in our healthcare system, one that disproportionately affects those already facing barriers to quality care. By understanding what it is, recognizing its signs, and learning how to advocate effectively, patients can protect themselves and push for change.

The good news is that awareness is growing. Medical schools are increasingly integrating bias training, and patient-provider communication is receiving greater attention. By speaking up about our experiences and demanding better, we can collectively work toward a healthcare system where every patient feels heard, respected, and properly cared for.

Have you experienced medical gaslighting? What strategies helped you advocate for yourself? Share your experiences in the comments below.