Medical gaslighting – A Sad, Big, and Real Problem!

Is medical gaslighting even real? Does it affect invisibly disabled people? What is it?

Painscale.com describes it thus:

“Medical gaslighting occurs when a physician or other medical professional dismisses or trivializes a person’s symptoms. They may mistakenly determine that pain or other symptoms are not real or simply a result of stress or depression. When this happens, it may take years, if ever, to receive a proper diagnosis. It can also cause an individual to doubt their own pain or sanity.”

A friend’s story

A man in his early 40s visited a new doctor. He had experienced mild, but varied, neurological problems for a decade, but they had recently worsened. No one had yet solved the enigma. This new doctor listened compassionately and ordered various tests. So, my friend expectantly awaited answers. However, when all the tests came back normal, the doctor wrote in an email, “If you have any more problems, come back and see me.” Unbelievable!!

I referred him to my neurologist. Within four months, this doctor diagnosed early-onset Parkinson’s. At least, the man now had answers.

Zebras and horses

Because medicine covers immense territory, we can understand how easy it is for doctors to miss the zebras. My theory is that because horses outnumber zebras, doctors are trained to diagnose the horses – the common. Understandable, in some ways. But I wish doctors were at least exposed to the uncommon and taught to consider the possibilities. Then patients could be referred to specialists. And, hopefully, these specialists would know about the zebras. This, I think, explains some of the medical gaslighting.

Remember all medical gaslighting of invisibly disabled people is not deliberate. The doctor may not feel good that day, or she may not be educated in that area, or he just isn’t paying attention. Communication is critical.

Your story?

As chronically ill people, we are more prone to medical gaslighting. So, the question is what we can do about it. How do we manage it? How can we best protect ourselves?

Signs medical gaslighting is happening

• Is the practitioner minimizing, dismissing, or ignoring your symptoms?
• Is he refusing to appropriate testing?
• When test comes back negative, but symptoms are still there, does she not follow up?
• Does the doctor claim your symptoms on mental health or weight issues?
• Does the person ignore research you have done?

Steps to take when it happens

• Stand up, respectfully, fighting for yourself, if necessary.
• Begin by being you and the doc are on the same page, talking the same language.

Communicate

• Don’t raise your voice.
• Restate your concern using other words.
  • “I’m not sure you understand what I’m trying to communicate.”
• Ask why they disagree with you.
• Ask to see a different doctor or nurse during this same appointment.
• If unsuccessful, go home and regroup.

Consider

• Speaking with office manager.
• Trying a new doctor if your insurance permits.
• Calling your insurance and file a complaint.
• Writing a review online, if all else fails.
• Thinking about legal recourse as a last resort if you end up the doctor’s negligence harms you.

In closing

We’ve seen, to our sorrow, that medical gaslighting of invisibly disabled people is a sad, big, and real problem. We face the possibility every time we must see a new medical professional. But if we accept this reality, we can prepare to recognize it and respond appropriately. With hope, we can head off this problem by adequate preparation ourselves.

Do you have any medical gaslighting experiences you would like to share?

Consider these traits when looking for a new doctor.

Check out these ideas for doctor’s visits.

If legal help is necessary, this article gives you a place to start.

Painscale.com and Medium.com have more information about medical gaslighting. You can also Google the term.