4.7 on App Store
4.6 on Play Store
4.7 on App Store
4.6 on Play Store
Confidently advocate for your health, back up your concerns with clear evidence, and ensure your symptoms are taken seriously—making it harder for doctors to dismiss your experiences.
Track the severity, frequency, and outcomes of your symptoms to refer back to whenever you need.
With all your symptom data in one place, you can feel better prepared to explain what you need help with and to answer any questions your Doctor might have.
Use Bearable’s insights to identify questions you have about your health, well-being, and the effect of treatments – before you book your appointment.
Identify correlations between treatments and changes in: Sleep, HRV, Steps, Heart Rate, Resting Heart Rate, Weight, Blood Pressure, and more.
Medical gaslighting occurs when healthcare professionals dismiss or downplay a patient’s symptoms, leading individuals to question their own experiences. This can result in missed diagnoses, delayed treatments, and a loss of trust in the healthcare system.
The term “gaslighting” originates from the 1944 film “Gaslight,” where a husband manipulates his wife into doubting her reality. In the medical context, gaslighting can manifest as a doctor attributing a patient’s physical symptoms solely to psychological factors without proper evaluation. For instance, a patient presenting with chronic pain might be told it’s “all in your head,” leading to feelings of confusion and self-doubt.
Medical gaslighting disproportionately affects certain groups. Studies indicate that women and people of color are more likely to have their health concerns dismissed due to unconscious biases within the healthcare system. This can lead to significant health disparities, as serious conditions may go undiagnosed or untreated.
Recognizing medical gaslighting is crucial for patients to advocate effectively for their health. Signs include healthcare providers frequently interrupting patients, minimizing symptoms, attributing them solely to psychological factors without proper evaluation, or suggesting they’re a natural part of aging. If you feel your concerns are not being taken seriously, it’s essential to seek a second opinion or bring a trusted person to medical appointments for support.
Understanding and addressing medical gaslighting is vital to ensure all patients receive respectful and appropriate care. By being aware of this phenomenon, individuals can take proactive steps to ensure their voices are heard within the healthcare system.
Certain groups are more susceptible to medical gaslighting, often due to implicit biases within the healthcare system. Women, for instance, frequently report having their symptoms attributed to stress, anxiety, or hormonal changes, leading to misdiagnoses or delayed treatments. This dismissal can stem from longstanding stereotypes that portray women as overly emotional or exaggerating their discomfort.
People of color also face a higher risk of experiencing medical gaslighting. Historical and systemic biases can lead healthcare providers to underestimate the severity of symptoms reported by these patients. For example, studies have shown that Black patients are less likely to receive adequate pain management compared to their white counterparts, partly due to false beliefs about biological differences. Such disparities highlight the critical need for cultural competence and bias training in medical education to ensure all patients receive equitable care.
Individuals with chronic illnesses, particularly those with conditions that lack clear diagnostic tests, are also vulnerable to medical gaslighting. Patients with diseases like myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) often report that their symptoms are dismissed or attributed solely to psychological factors. This skepticism can lead to inadequate support and hinder effective management of their condition.
Additionally, those with long COVID—a condition characterized by persistent symptoms following a COVID-19 infection—have reported experiences of medical gaslighting. Due to the evolving understanding of this condition, some healthcare providers may prematurely dismiss patient-reported symptoms, attributing them to anxiety or other non-physical causes. This underscores the importance of ongoing research and education to validate and address the experiences of long COVID patients.
Recognizing the groups most at risk of medical gaslighting is a crucial step toward fostering a more empathetic and effective healthcare environment. By acknowledging and addressing these biases, medical professionals can improve patient trust and outcomes.
Dismissal of Symptoms: Healthcare providers may downplay or outright dismiss reported symptoms, suggesting they’re exaggerated or psychosomatic. For instance, attributing severe pain to mere stress without proper evaluation undermines the patient’s experience.
Interruption and Lack of Listening: Doctors who frequently interrupt or show impatience during consultations indicate a lack of genuine engagement. This behavior can prevent patients from fully conveying their concerns, leading to inadequate care.
Attributing Symptoms to Psychological Factors: Assigning physical symptoms solely to mental health issues without thorough investigation can be a form of gaslighting. For example, labeling chronic fatigue as depression without exploring other causes dismisses potential underlying conditions.
Lack of Empathy or Sensitivity: A healthcare provider’s insensitivity or indifference to a patient’s pain or concerns can be a red flag. Such detachment may manifest as making light of serious symptoms or failing to acknowledge the patient’s distress.
Blaming the Patient: Suggesting that patients are responsible for their conditions, such as implying lifestyle choices are the sole cause without considering other factors, shifts unwarranted blame onto the patient.
Inconsistent Information: Providing conflicting medical information or changing diagnoses without clear explanations can confuse patients and erode their trust in their own perceptions.
Recognizing these signs is crucial. If you feel your concerns are being dismissed, consider seeking a second opinion, bringing a trusted person to appointments, or documenting your symptoms in detail to ensure your voice is heard.
Yes, medical gaslighting can lead to misdiagnosis or delayed treatment. When healthcare professionals dismiss or downplay a patient’s symptoms, attributing them to psychological factors or deeming them insignificant, it can prevent accurate diagnosis and timely intervention. This dismissal not only undermines the patient’s trust in the healthcare system but also exacerbates health disparities, particularly among marginalized groups.
For instance, individuals with conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS) often report that their symptoms are overlooked or minimized. This oversight can result in significant delays in diagnosis and treatment, adversely affecting disease progression and quality of life.
Similarly, patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) frequently experience medical gaslighting, where their symptoms are dismissed or misattributed to psychological causes. This misrepresentation can lead to inappropriate treatments and a lack of proper medical support, further hindering patient outcomes.
Addressing medical gaslighting is crucial to ensure that all patients receive accurate diagnoses and appropriate care. Healthcare providers must cultivate effective communication, actively listen to patients, and remain vigilant against biases that may influence their clinical judgment.
Information for this section was sourced from The American Journal of Medicine, VerywellMind, Northwell Health, Harvard Health, MS Society, National Library of Medicine, & ME Action.
Kayleigh, Bearable member
“I was using the health app on my phone and I was really only using it to track all my medications… I would sometimes write things down in my notes but that’s not a very reliable system either.
I downloaded Bearable and I started using it every day and now I actually have something to show to my doctors and the health professionals that help me. I can show them how I’m feeling using Bearable.
When I go to doctors, I struggle with remembering everything I need to say to them. Being able to talk about my concerns and having the option of showing them my progress or my feelings [in Bearable]. It helps me prepare for sure.
I’ve actually shown it to my doctor – one of my specialists – and even she thinks it’s fantastic because it’s very hard to collect that much symptom data yourself (without an app). So it really helps me actually know what I’m going to talk about (in an appointment).”
Having suffered with a chronic illness since 2018, I know all too well the frustration of coming out of an appointment with my doctor or therapist knowing that I hadn’t been able to give them a complete picture of my migraine symptoms.
Often these interactions lead to no diagnosis, a very tentative diagnosis, or at worst, a misdiagnosis. From personal experience, this sets you off a wild goose chase. You go from consultant to consultant in search of answers and spend hours on Dr. Google.
In the end, I was sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. I started tracking my mood, symptoms and habits, in the hope that it would help me to understand, and feel more in control of, my health. This is how the idea for the Bearable app was born.
Since 2020, Bearable has helped me to better understand and manage my symptoms as well has help me to improve how I communicate with my medical team.
Today, my mission is to give all patients the power to take control of their health and feel like themselves again. That’s why we continue to work with hundreds of online communities to seek the advice and feedback of people with chronic health conditions.
Because our mission is to help people, we try to create as many free resources as possible. Our Health Resume can be used to help you prepare for your next medical appointment.
Note. When you tap the Download button you’ll be taken to Google Drive where you can tap the ‘Open with’ or Download icon (⬇) to save the symptom tracker worksheets to your device.
If you’ve ever felt dismissed, ignored, or like your doctor isn’t really listening, a medical gaslighting app can help you take back control. Instead of second-guessing yourself or struggling to explain your symptoms, you’ll have real data to back you up. Here’s how it makes a difference:
Trying to remember every little detail about your health is exhausting—especially when you’re not feeling your best. A medical gaslighting app lets you log symptoms, treatments, and lifestyle factors so you can see what’s really going on. Over time, you’ll start noticing patterns: When do your symptoms get worse? Do certain foods, activities, or medications trigger flare-ups? Instead of vague explanations, you’ll have clear records to help you and your doctor connect the dots.
Ever left a doctor’s office feeling frustrated, like you didn’t get the chance to explain everything? These apps help you prepare. Many can create easy-to-read reports summarizing your symptoms, making it harder for doctors to dismiss your concerns. Some even offer appointment prep tools, so you walk in knowing exactly what to say and what questions to ask. No more forgetting key details or leaving with more confusion than answers.
One of the biggest problems with medical gaslighting is that it makes you doubt yourself. But when you have actual data—dates, severity levels, symptom trends—it’s much harder for a doctor to brush you off with “it’s just stress” or “it’s all in your head.” Instead of feeling powerless, you can advocate for yourself with confidence, pushing for the tests and treatments you need.
Dealing with medical gaslighting is isolating, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Many apps connect you to communities of people who’ve been in your shoes, offering tips and emotional support. Plus, they provide resources to help you understand your symptoms, your rights as a patient, and how to stand your ground when you feel unheard.
At the end of the day, a medical gaslighting app is about putting the power back in your hands. It helps you track, understand, and advocate for your health—so you can finally get the care and answers you deserve.
Yes, Bearable is a freemium app and our subscription is optional.
With Bearable, you can track unlimited symptoms, treatments, medications, and triggers for free. You can also identify changes in your symptoms severity using weekly reports, timelines, calendars, and charts – all included in the free version of the Bearable app.
Bearable was designed so that people whose disposable income is affected by their health can still track and manage their health using the app for free. In fact, we’ve recently launched a sponsorship program that gifts free subscriptions to members of the Bearable community every month.
Symptom tracking helps combat medical gaslighting by giving you clear, objective evidence of what you’re experiencing—so doctors take your concerns seriously. Instead of relying on memory or vague descriptions, you’ll have concrete data that proves your symptoms are real, persistent, and worth investigating.
Creates a Record Doctors Can’t Ignore
Medical gaslighting often makes patients feel like they’re imagining things or exaggerating. But when you track your symptoms over time, you can show exactly when they started, how often they occur, and how severe they are. This kind of documented history makes it much harder for a doctor to dismiss your concerns as “just stress” or “not that bad.”
Reveals Patterns & Triggers
By logging your symptoms alongside lifestyle factors—like diet, sleep, medications, and activity levels—you can spot patterns. Maybe your pain worsens after certain foods, or your fatigue flares up after minimal exertion. Identifying these connections not only helps with self-advocacy but also provides your doctor with valuable clues for a diagnosis.
Makes Appointments More Productive
It’s easy to forget important details in a rushed doctor’s visit. Symptom tracking ensures you go in prepared, with a clear timeline of what’s been happening. Instead of struggling to remember when your headaches started or how often your dizziness occurs, you’ll have everything neatly logged—giving your doctor a full picture of your health.
Strengthens Your Case for Proper Testing & Treatment
Many people who experience medical gaslighting struggle to get tests, referrals, or treatments because their concerns are dismissed. When you have a symptom tracker showing persistent issues over weeks or months, you can push for further investigation. A doctor is far more likely to take action when presented with a consistent data record rather than anecdotal complaints.
Empowers You to Advocate for Yourself
Gaslighting thrives when patients feel uncertain about their own experiences. Symptom tracking validates your reality—reminding you that your symptoms are real and deserve attention. If a doctor refuses to listen, your records make it easier to seek a second opinion with confidence.
At the end of the day, symptom tracking puts the power back in your hands, ensuring that your voice—and your health—can’t be ignored.
The Bearable app helps prevent medical gaslighting by giving you hard evidence of your symptoms, treatments, and health patterns—so you can advocate for yourself with confidence. Here’s how:
Tracks Your Symptoms Over Time
Instead of relying on memory, Bearable lets you log your symptoms daily, noting their severity and frequency. This creates a clear timeline of your health, making it harder for doctors to dismiss your concerns as “just stress” or “all in your head.”
Creates Clear, Shareable Reports
Bearable organizes your data into easy-to-read charts and reports that you can bring to appointments. These summaries highlight symptom trends, triggers, and potential correlations with lifestyle factors—helping you make a strong case for further investigation or treatment.
Connects Symptoms to Triggers & Treatments
By tracking habits, diet, medications, and activities alongside symptoms, Bearable helps you identify patterns. This can provide solid evidence when you suspect a certain food, medication, or lifestyle factor is affecting your health, making it easier to push for the right diagnosis or treatment adjustments.
Helps You Prepare for Doctor’s Appointments
With all your health data in one place, you can walk into appointments prepared and confident. No more struggling to remember when your symptoms started or how they’ve changed over time—Bearable gives you a clear record to refer to, ensuring you don’t leave out important details.
Empowers You to Advocate for Yourself
Medical gaslighting thrives when patients feel unsure about their symptoms. Bearable helps you take control by giving you the proof you need to be taken seriously—whether it’s tracking your worsening fatigue, proving your migraines aren’t “just anxiety,” or showing that your symptoms aren’t improving with current treatments.
Your experience matters—and Bearable ensures your health journey is backed by real data, not just feelings.
Bearable stands out from other health tracking apps because it’s built specifically for people with complex, chronic conditions—the very people most at risk of medical gaslighting. While many apps focus on fitness, general wellness, or single-condition tracking, Bearable gives you a complete, customizable way to track your health and gather real evidence to advocate for yourself. Here’s why it’s better:
Fully Customizable Tracking
Most symptom trackers have rigid categories that might not reflect your unique experience. Bearable lets you track exactly what matters to you—from symptoms and triggers to medications, treatments, mood, and lifestyle factors. Whether you have multiple conditions or symptoms that don’t fit standard medical checklists, Bearable helps you create a personalized record that makes your case clearer to doctors.
Easy-to-Understand Reports & Insights
Many tracking apps collect data but don’t help you make sense of it. Bearable automatically generates clear, easy-to-read graphs and reports, showing symptom trends over time and potential correlations with factors like sleep, diet, and medication. These reports give you the hard evidence you need to push back when a doctor dismisses your concerns.
Connects Symptoms to Possible Causes
Unlike generic health trackers, Bearable doesn’t just log symptoms—it helps you spot patterns and triggers. If your pain spikes after certain foods, your fatigue worsens with a medication, or your dizziness follows poor sleep, Bearable highlights these connections. This makes it easier to advocate for testing or treatment changes, instead of being brushed off with “it’s just anxiety” or “there’s nothing wrong.”
Helps You Prepare for Appointments
Medical gaslighting often thrives in rushed doctor visits where patients struggle to remember details. Bearable keeps all your health data in one place, so you can walk into appointments prepared and confident. Instead of trying to recall when your symptoms started or how they’ve changed, you can pull up a clear record that doctors can’t dismiss.
Syncs with Health Data for Extra Proof
Bearable integrates with Apple Health, Google Fit, and Fitbit, allowing you to combine symptom tracking with objective health data like heart rate, activity levels, and sleep patterns. If a doctor doubts your fatigue or pain levels, you can back it up with data showing disrupted sleep, low energy levels, or abnormal vital signs.
Built for People Who Feel Dismissed
Bearable was created by people with chronic health issues, for people with chronic health issues. That means it’s designed with the understanding that medical gaslighting is real and that tracking your health shouldn’t be overwhelming. It’s simple, flexible, and focused on giving you control over your health story—so you can be taken seriously and get the care you deserve.
Bearable isn’t just a symptom tracker—it’s a tool for self-advocacy. When your health is questioned, Bearable helps you prove that your symptoms are real, consistent, and worth investigating.
Yes, one of the primary reasons we created Bearable was to make communication with your Doctor, Therapist, and Medical team easier.
Whilst it’s possible to export all of your data in .csv format, we’ve also heard from members of the Bearable community that they:
There are a number of ways in which Bearable protects the privacy and security of our member’s data. These include:
If you have any questions or concerns about your data privacy, please contact us at support@bearable.app
Just as important to us as it is to you
Unlike other companies, our main motivation will always be to help people. This is why we don’t sell your data, show in-app ads, and request as little PII data as possible.
Your data is encrypted and cannot be read by anyone but yourself. You have full control of your data and can export and/or delete everything from within the app at any time.
As a British company, we comply with EU/European data protection and privacy laws. This also means we’re not required to comply with data requests from US law enforcement.
Bearable is the number one symptom tracking app in the USA (on iOS & Android) and helps thousands of people to feel more in control of the symptoms and traits of their chronic mental & physical health conditions and disorders each year. Bearable is recommended by the Healthline, The US Pain Foundation, WebMD, Forbes, Vox, SELF Magazine, VerywellMind, PsychCentral, and Doctors and Therapists including; Psychiatrist Dr. Anthony Levinson, GP Dr Claire Ashley. Over 900,000 Bearable members have used the app to improve how they communicate with their medical team to prevent medical gaslighting and to share symptom data with doctors and therapists to aid with diagnosis and treatment. It’s not just a free health app that helps with medical gaslighting – it’s also the best symptom tracker for anyone hoping to feel more in control of every aspect of their physical and mental health.
Use your phone’s camera to scan and download the Bearable app. Available on iOS and Android devices.
Become the architect of your health.
