Medical Gaslighting: What It Is and How to Advocate for Yourself

Medical gaslighting is defined as the dismissal—or downplaying—of symptoms by a medical professional. It can lead you to question your own experience. Medical gaslighting occurs more often in women, and is known to be even more prominent among people of color. Medical gaslighting can have devastating effects on the person on the receiving end. It can lead to medical trauma and even death in some cases.

I have experience with medical gaslighting. At times, it led me to mistrust the medical system altogether. It has even led to misdiagnoses and unnecessary treatments. Unfortunately, I am not alone in this experience.

It can be overwhelming just to set foot in a physician’s office. For myself, it can feel almost impossible to prepare for appointments knowing that I will be dismissed ahead of time. I have struggled with medical gaslighting for years, so I am deeply passionate about this topic. I hope this article will help someone else in a similar situation.

It's also important to note that this article is in no way meant to insult healthcare providers. I have had a few providers in the past who were wonderful. There are plenty of good medical professionals out there who are truly genuine. However, medical gaslighting occurs too often, so my intention is to spread awareness and support others who have lived through this.

My Personal Experience With Medical Gaslighting

I have a neurological condition. It literally took over ten years to receive a diagnosis. Each time I was sick, I would visit the emergency department (ED). My test results usually came back “normal”. Most of the time, I was sent home with ibuprofen. If you live with an invisible condition, your test results can sometimes come back normal when you are sick.

In the past, I was told during every ED visit, “It’s just stress”, when my case was actually much more serious. The experience worsened my depression. I felt like a hypochondriac. I was eventually diagnosed with fibromyalgia, only to realize much later that this was a misdiagnosis. Years later, I finally received an accurate diagnosis. Being treated for the wrong condition can lead to unnecessary treatment. Treatment for fibromyalgia is drastically different from treatment prescribed for my underlying condition. Fibromyalgia was the first misdiagnosis I received. When I went through this, I lost trust (and faith) in the medical system.

How to Advocate for Yourself

I’ve learned a few ways to lessen the stress caused by medical gaslighting. First, advocate for yourself. Your health is so valuable, and you can take control of the situation. For instance, ask for a second opinion if your doctor fails to listen to your concerns. Secondly, if possible, consider bringing a trusted friend or family member with you.

From experience, I’ve learned that having a loved one act as an ally during my appointments can be really helpful. A loved one can help advocate for you on your behalf. It also helps the provider get new perspectives on your symptoms from someone who knows you well. In addition, your loved one can ask or answer questions the provider may have. It can be difficult to remember all the details since you probably will not have much time with your provider. A loved one can help address the concerns or other symptoms you may have forgotten to mention. If these options don't work, find another provider or file a complaint. You deserve to be respected on your health journey.

Medical Gaslighting and Mental Health Diagnoses

Medical gaslighting is one of the most frustrating experiences a patient can encounter on their health journey. If you have a mental health diagnosis, it can be even more difficult to be taken seriously. For instance, if you have a diagnosis of anxiety or depression, it is common for providers to dismiss the physical symptoms you are having. They often blame the depressive or anxiety symptoms for your physical symptoms. In other words, they may suggest that your chronic condition is psychosomatic. This is a fancy way of saying it’s all in your head. If this happens to you, again, it is also important to take up for yourself and let them know you disagree. I understand it can be intimidating, but your health is worth it.

You Deserve to Feel Validated

Receiving a diagnosis can be scary, but validating. Those who are living with these conditions want and deserve to know the name of the condition they are living with. Remember that there are many conditions that were once considered psychosomatic in the past, such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. Fortunately, these conditions are now taken more seriously.

You deserve to feel validated. Being constantly dismissed can worsens anxiety and depression. I remember the feelings of inadequacy medical gaslighting can cause. Being dismissed can make you feel unimportant and ignored. If you experience medical gaslighting, please continue advocating for yourself. You know your body better than anyone else.