Medical gaslighting is much more common than you might think. These are situations where a doctor downplays the severity of a patient’s symptoms. The medical expert might completely disregard the patient’s issues, attributing them to something else.
Gaslighting, as a phenomenon, occurs because many patients tend to exaggerate their issues. Doctors deal with numerous hypochondriacs and panicky people, which is why they take patients’ feedback with a grain of salt.
That being said, it isn’t surprising that doctors are more strict toward women, who tend to be more emotional. Interestingly enough, medical experts are also more likely to gaslight people of color. In this article, we’ll explore the topic, and talk about ways to avoid it.
Recognizing Gaslighting
Gaslighting comes in all shapes and forms, including:
- Not taking a patient’s feedback seriously.
- Completely dismissing patient’s symptoms.
- Laughing or snickering during medical exams.
- Hinting that the problem is in a patient’s head.
- Not exhibiting any empathy.
- Saying that a patient’s actions caused the problem.
The best way to address gaslighting is by hiring a patient advocate. These medical experts will assist you in smoothing the communication with your GP, while also helping with other administrative issues. Click on the following link, if you want to learn how to get a patient advocate.
Common Victims of Gaslighting
As mentioned, people of color, minorities, and women are the most common victims of medical gaslighting. Doctors are more likely to dismiss their symptoms, while usually being respectful toward white male patients. To make matters worse, minorities and other marginalized groups also get worse quality of care.
Attributing Women’s Issues to Mental Health
The most common issue related to medical gaslighting is attributing female problems to poor mental wellbeing. Doctors often say that a woman patient is depressed or anxious when they exhibit a high level of concern. Even worse, the female symptoms are often treated less aggressively, as if the patient lied about their issues.
Women Receiving Later Diagnoses
According to a specific study, it takes much more time to diagnose women for cancer. Doctors often downplay the problem and stall the initial cancer tests. Medical experts are less likely to provide women with strong pain medication, unlike their male counterparts (they also have to wait longer).
Limited Assistance for BIPOC Group
Aside from women, minorities and people of color usually get less favorable treatment. Cumulative data from several states indicates that people who are Black, AAPI, and Latino, often get misdiagnosed for stroke symptoms. Racism and intolerance are common issues affecting the medical sector, with patients taking the brunt of it.
The Reason Behind Medical Gaslighting
The worst thing about medical gaslighting is that the doctors are often unaware of their actions and their impact on patients. In many cases, the reason behind this problem has to do with lack of research data.
Over the years, the US government has invested much more funds into researching male-dominant conditions. As a result, doctors are much more versed in recognizing and treating these ailments. They often misdiagnose women because they’re not even aware of the severity of their condition.
Nevertheless, this isn’t an excuse for poor behavior. Medical experts have to hold themselves to a much higher standard and be aware of their biases. Ideally, GPs should get more experience working with different minority groups, so they can better avoid labeling.
3 Best Ways to Avoid Gaslighting
Despite the government’s best efforts, medical gaslighting remains a major issue plaguing the US citizens. In these situations, patients are often forced to fend for themselves in any way possible. Here are a few tactics that will help you get better healthcare:
- Find a Trustworthy Doctor
First and foremost, you should find a person you can trust. Personal recommendations and close contacts work the best, but you should also keep your eyes peeled for doctors who are renowned for their bedside manners.
In the worst case scenario, you can alternate between several experts until you find the one that suits you the best. The main focus is to look for someone who will dedicate themselves properly to your issue.
- Bring a Family Member
If you’re worried that a doctor might not take you seriously, we recommend taking a family member with you. Ideally, you should bring a white male, as this is the group doctors usually take seriously. The person can parrot your concern, thus corroborating that everything you’ve said is true.
Another great thing about having a backup is that this person can ask questions that you might’ve forgotten. If the person also knows more than you about drugs and common procedures, they can push back against a treatment plan that sounds ludicrous.
- Preparing Yourself
Preparation is vital if you want to properly address your issues. The tactic we always recommend is writing down your symptoms. It also wouldn’t be bad to go into details; write down when the different symptoms started and how your body’s reaction changed over time.
If the treatment process is complex, you should consider jotting down everything that the doctor has mentioned. For example, they might talk about lifestyle changes and other things you should incorporate into your life to expedite the recovery.
The Medical Gaslighting Effect
Medical gaslighting can have a significant negative impact on patients’ psychological and physical health. Many patients spend weeks looking for a doctor who will take them seriously, which leads to worsening of the symptoms. In some cases, the lengthy process might even lead to death.
Gaslighting also has a negative impact on families’ budgets. Instead of finishing the entire process with one physician, patients are forced to look for several specialists until they receive a proper answer. They might also be subjected to numerous diagnostic processes and drugs before receiving the right treatment.
Last Precautions
Whether you’ve been improperly diagnosed due to gaslighting, bias, or lack of expertise, you must find a professional who can help you out. If you’re still feeling symptoms, you should immediately look for a second and even a third GP to check you out.
Also Read: The Role of AI in Streamlining Medical Chronologies
