Doctors & Gaslighting: 9 Red Flags to Watch Out For

Nearly half of LGBTQ people report experiencing medical gaslighting, according to a recent study by Healthgrades and OutCare Health.¹ 

This alarming statistic highlights a pervasive issue in healthcare: patients having their symptoms dismissed or explained away by medical professionals. 

If you’ve ever left a doctor’s appointment feeling unheard, doubted, or even blamed for your health concerns, you may have experienced medical gaslighting. Here are 9 signs to watch out for:

1. Your doctor doesn’t listen or frequently interrupts you

A telltale sign of gaslighting is if your doctor fails to listen attentively to your medical concerns and frequently interrupts you while discussing your symptoms.

Providers should actively listen and validate your feelings.

2. Your medical concerns are dismissed or ignored

Medical gaslighting can manifest as providers denying your reality, making you feel like your questions and concerns are being disregarded. They may question your perception of your symptoms or downplay any pain you experience.

3. You are blamed for your medical symptoms

Providers may attribute your symptoms to your negligence or actions, using passive-aggressive, disrespectful, or condescending language. Even if your symptoms have no connection to your actions, this behavior is a red flag.

4. Your symptoms are attributed to mental health issues

If your provider diagnoses you with anxiety, stress, or another mental health condition without proper evaluation or referral to a specialist, this could be a form of gaslighting.

5. Key diagnostic tests are not ordered or referrals are not provided

A provider who lacks expertise in your symptoms or condition should at least refer you to a specialist for further evaluation. Failing to do so or not ordering necessary lab work or imaging can be a form of gaslighting.

6. Your medical history is questioned or ignored

If your practitioner completely disregarded your previous medical history, you may have felt neglected as this likely led to incomplete assessments and misdiagnoses.

Some doctors may dismiss or question the legitimacy of a patient’s extensive medical history.

7. Your doctor lacks empathy or compassion

If your practitioner is willing to dismiss you, you probably felt alone. This lack of compassion causes many people to feel hopeless, alone, and feeling like they don’t matter and are not worth the extra effort in finding out what’s wrong with them.

8. You feel intimidated by your doctor

Patients might feel intimidated or powerless during medical encounters, feeling unable to express their concerns or ask for further clarification about their health issues. This can undermine trust in the doctor-patient relationship.

9. Your doctor is uncollaborative on treatment options

Some gaslighting providers may not factor patient perspectives or concerns into treatment decisions. While your doctor is the expert, you should also have a say in your treatment plan and understand the process.

What to Do if Your Doctor Is Gaslighting You

If you suspect your doctor is gaslighting you, it’s crucial to take action to ensure you receive proper care. Here are some steps you can take:

• Document your symptoms, including dates, severity, and triggers
• Bring a supportive friend or family member to appointments
• Be assertive in communicating your concerns and experiences
• Request referrals to specialists or further testing if needed
• Seek a second opinion from a healthcare provider who specializes in your condition
• File a complaint with the hospital’s patient advocacy department or state medical board if necessary

At the end of the day, you know your body best. You are your own best advocate. Trust your instincts and keep pushing for the care you deserve.

Source:
1. healthgrades.com