Jan 25, 2024

A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding and Addressing Medical Gaslighting

“When I tell doctors I’m in pain, it’s almost like they don’t believe me.” – Danielle Prescod.

Like so many individuals out there, Prescod experienced unexplainable pain, confusion, and a misdiagnosis. Unfortunately, Prescod found herself among the statistics, where nearly 12 million Americans experienced misdiagnosis and endured the effects of medical gaslighting.

Medical gaslighting is a form of manipulation in healthcare settings where a patient’s symptoms are downplayed, dismissed, or distorted by medical professionals. To ensure you’re receiving the proper medical care, it’s essential to understand, recognize and address medical gaslighting.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore what medical gaslighting is, how to identify it, who is most at risk, questions to ask to prevent gaslighting, self-advocacy after experiencing it, and reliable sources for verifying medical information.

How Do You Spot Medical Gaslighting?

Medical gaslighting involves healthcare providers undermining a patient’s perception of their own health, making them doubt their symptoms or the severity of their condition. This can lead to delayed diagnoses, inappropriate treatments, and negative impacts on a patient’s mental and physical well-being.

Identifying medical gaslighting requires self-awareness and self-advocacy. Here is a checklist of to help you identify if you are are experiencing medical gaslighting:

Dismissive Behavior: Your healthcare provider dismisses your concerns or downplays the severity of your symptoms without proper investigation.
Minimizing Symptoms: Your symptoms are consistently minimized, and you are made to feel that they are not significant.
Blaming the Patient: Your healthcare provider attributes your symptoms to personal factors or behaviors rather than conducting a thorough examination.
Failure to Investigate: Your healthcare provider avoids conducting necessary tests or investigations that could help identify the root cause of your symptoms.
Ignoring Medical History: Your medical history is disregarded, and your concerns are not taken in the context of your overall health background.
Ignoring or Avoiding Discussions: The healthcare provider avoids engaging in meaningful discussions about your symptoms, concerns, or potential diagnoses.
Labeling as Psychological: Symptoms are consistently attributed to psychological factors without considering possible physical causes.
Inconsistent Explanations: The healthcare provider provides inconsistent or contradictory explanations for your symptoms or diagnosis.
Withholding Information: Important information about your condition or treatment options is withheld, leaving you in the dark about your own health.
Disregarding Second Opinions: Your request for a second opinion is dismissed or discouraged, undermining your right to seek additional perspectives.
Cultural or Gender Bias: Biases related to your gender, ethnicity, or cultural background influence the healthcare provider’s perception of your symptoms.
Lack of Respect for Patient Input: Your input regarding your own health is not valued, and decisions are made without considering your preferences or experiences.
Inadequate Communication: The healthcare provider fails to communicate effectively, leaving you feeling confused or unheard.
Inappropriate Labeling: You are labeled as a difficult patient or told that your symptoms are solely the result of anxiety or stress.
Inadequate Follow-Up: Follow-up appointments or necessary communication regarding your treatment plan are lacking, leaving you feeling unsupported.

Note: You can view and print the full Medical Gaslighting Checklist here.

Who is Most at Risk for Medical Gaslighting?

The following groups are more likely to experience medical gaslighting from a healthcare provider

Women: Studies and anecdotal evidence suggest that women may be more likely to experience medical gaslighting, particularly in the context of gynecological or reproductive health.
People of Color: People of color may face systemic biases in healthcare, leading to unequal access to health care, inadequate attention, dismissal of symptoms, misdiagnosis, or the lack of referral to medical specialists.
LGBTQIA+ Individuals: LGBTQIA+ individuals may encounter medical gaslighting, as healthcare providers may make assumptions based on stereotypes or lack cultural competence regarding specific health concerns within this community.
Individuals with Mental Health Conditions: Those with pre-existing mental health conditions may face the challenge of having their physical symptoms attributed solely to psychological factors, leading to dismissal or inadequate investigation.
Chronic Illness Patients: Individuals with chronic conditions may be at risk, as their ongoing symptoms may be dismissed as part of their existing condition, and new symptoms may be overlooked.
Elderly Individuals: Older individuals may face medical gaslighting due to age-related biases, where symptoms are attributed to aging rather than thoroughly investigated.
Individuals with Invisible Disabilities: Those with conditions that do not have obvious external symptoms may be at risk, as their experiences may be doubted or minimized by healthcare providers.
Low Socioeconomic Status: Individuals with limited access to healthcare resources or who face socioeconomic challenges may be at a higher risk of medical gaslighting, as their concerns may not be adequately addressed.
Patients With a History of Trauma: Individuals with a history of trauma may face challenges in being believed or taken seriously by healthcare providers, as symptoms may be attributed to psychological distress.
Patients in Vulnerable Situations: Patients in vulnerable situations, such as those in long-term care facilities, may be at risk if their symptoms are overlooked or dismissed due to the complexity of their healthcare needs.

How To Avoid Falling Victim to Medical Gaslighting

Patients who successfully avoid medical gaslighting are proactive in their healthcare and know how to advocate for themselves. If this is something you struggle with, here are some strategies to help you prevent or address medical gaslighting.

Educate Yourself

Staying informed about your symptoms, conditions, and available treatments is one of the best ways to ensure that you avoid being misled or manipulated.

Use reliable medical sources and organizations to cross-check information provided by healthcare professionals. Be cautious of misinformation and seek evidence-based guidance.

Here’s a list of reputable medical resources to get you started:

Document Your Symptoms & Keep Personal Health Records

You can use reputable medical sources like the ones listed above to better understand potential causes and treatments for your health challenges. This can further assist you when documenting which symptoms are affecting you the most.

Also consider using an app like Akeso, to thoroughly document the following before your next appointment:

Document Daily Symptoms: Record daily symptoms, including their nature, intensity, duration, and any patterns you observe. Develop a chronological timeline of your symptoms, noting any changes or developments as well. This can help healthcare providers understand the progression of your condition.
Develop Detailed Descriptions:
- Use a rating scale (e.g., 1 to 10) to quantify the severity of each symptom. This provides a clearer picture of the impact on your daily life.
- Include information such as when symptoms started, what triggers or alleviates them, and any associated factors like diet, sleep, or stress levels.
- Take note of any environmental factors that might be relevant, such as exposure to allergens, changes in weather, or specific activities.
- Document lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and sleep patterns, as they can significantly influence overall health and symptom presentation.
Medication and Treatment Responses: Keep track of medications, treatments, or lifestyle changes you implement and record how your symptoms respond. This information aids healthcare providers in assessing the effectiveness of interventions.
Photographic Evidence: When applicable, consider taking photos or videos of visible symptoms. This can be particularly helpful for skin conditions, physical injuries, or any observable changes.
Communicate Emotional Impact: Describe the emotional impact of your symptoms, including any stress, anxiety, or depression they may be causing. Mental health aspects are integral to understanding overall well-being.
Seek Input from Others: If applicable, involve family members or caregivers who may observe your symptoms and provide additional insights.
Prepare for Appointments:
- Use an app that can generate reports to help prep you to review your symptom documentation before your medical appointments. This ensures you convey a comprehensive overview of your health to your healthcare provider.
- Highlight Key Concerns: Identify specific symptoms that are most concerning or disruptive to your life. Prioritize discussing these during medical appointments.

Sharing detailed documentation, past medical history, test results, and treatments with your healthcare provider can help them narrow down possible causes and get you closer to an accurate diagnosis.

Research Healthcare Providers

Consider researching your health care providers before attending your next appointment. Look for and choose healthcare providers with positive reviews, recommendations, and a reputation for thorough and patient-centered care. Consider seeking specialists if your symptoms are complex or require specialized knowledge.

Here are some tools to help you get started on your search:

Physician Locator

Telemedicine Companies

Bring a Supportive Advocate

Four ears are better than two. Consider bringing a trusted friend, family member, or advocate to your medical appointments to provide support and help ensure your concerns are heard. Your support advocate can also help call out any potential biases or stereotypes that may influence how your symptoms are perceived, especially if you belong to a vulnerable group.

Maintain Clear Communication & Ask Informed Follow-Up Questions

When discussing your symptoms with a medical professional, be clear and assertive in expressing the impact of your symptoms on your daily life. Once diagnosed, it’s best to ask clear follow-up questions so that you can educate yourself about your diagnosis and treatment options.

Here are a few questions you can ask your healthcare provider about following a diagnosis or proposed treatment:

Can you explain my diagnosis in simple terms?
What are the specific criteria or tests that led to this diagnosis?
What are the potential causes for my symptoms or condition?
Are there different stages or variations of this condition?
Can you explain the reasoning behind this diagnosis or treatment plan?
How will the proposed treatment address the underlying cause of my symptoms?
Are there alternative explanations or diagnoses that should be considered?

Note: You can view the full Medical Gaslighting: Follow-up Questions Guide here.

Trust Your Instincts & Seek a Second Opinion

If you have doubts about a diagnosis or treatment plan, trust your instincts and take your concerns seriously. As a precaution, consider consulting another healthcare professional for a second opinion. Different perspectives can provide clarity and ensure a more comprehensive evaluation.

If you wish to seek additional information about a recent diagnosis, you should consider leveraging the following tools below:

Join Support Groups

Connect with support groups or online communities where individuals share their experiences with similar health issues. Learn from others who have navigated the healthcare system and advocate for each other.
This is another way to be proactive, informed, and assertive in your healthcare journey so that you can help avoid falling victim to medical gaslighting and ensure that your concerns are taken seriously by healthcare professionals.

Here are a few resources to help you get started on your search:

Note: Visit Anxiety & Depression Association of America to view more support groups & national organizations.

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In conclusion, being aware of medical gaslighting, recognizing the signs, and taking proactive steps to advocate for yourself are essential in navigating the healthcare system.

By keeping track of your symptoms, leaning on advocates in your community, asking informed questions, seeking second opinions, and consulting reliable sources, you can ensure that your health concerns are taken seriously and addressed appropriately.

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Note: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only. Always consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice and treatment plans tailored to your health needs.

Sources: The New York Times, Healthline, USA Today, ABC News, VeryWell Mind, Business Insider, Anxiety & Depression Association of America, Choosing Therapy