End Medical Gaslighting
This page advocates for those facing medical gaslighting. Explore resources, videos, and worksheets, but most importantly, read firsthand accounts of how people have overcome medical gaslighting. Our goal is to raise awareness and empower others to navigate these experiences.
📢 Medical Gaslighting Stories
The stories shared on this page are real experiences of medical gaslighting experienced by people in the Bearable Community. All stories have been shared anonymously and published with their permission.
❗Trigger Warning. Some of these stories include graphic or descriptive content or content that might be distressing.
He only suggested yoga…
“I had an ER doctor diagnose with gastritis and I lived with that for five years without anything really getting better, because it wasn’t gastritis, but no one would listen to me. I ended up in the ER with a gallbladder that needed to come out because the pain I’d been experiencing hadn’t been gastritis, it was gallstones. One simple test any of the times I was in the ER for gallstones would have told them what was going on, it wasn’t until that last visit that they ran that test.
…
“You’ve obviously googled the symptoms”
“12 years ago after months of tests and being told I was exaggerating or they’re all just minor things, I researched and suggested perhaps I had sarcoidosis. Doctors poopoo’d but CT scans etc confirmed.
Fast forward to last year, symptoms resurfaced but my medical records were lost. A new consultant poopoo’d me, it’s just asthma, it’s just this, it’s just that, “it sounds like a misdiagnosis” or “you’ve obviously googled the symptoms if you’re imagining you have so many of them”. Finally tracked down my records and funnily enough now he agrees fully with the 12-year ago diagnosis of sarcoidosis.
…
I once had doctors LAUGHING at me…
“I have PCOS and a gyno told me that cysts in your ovaries don’t even hurt. That is an utter lie and they can kill you, too! I would have so much pain, it would cause spasms in my spine and my knees would go out under me. Kept falling into walls.
…
He clearly thought this was a “me” issue…
“I was 18 and exhausted. As in, sleeping 8 hours a night, and still falling asleep sitting up at work. Not other physical symptoms. Just a constant, crushing exhaustion, no matter how much I slept. I was still seeing a pediatrician, at an office with multiple doctors. The first doctor suggested I was staying up too late and needed a schedule. I informed him I working full time and getting enough sleep. He might have done some bloodwork? It was all normal. He clearly thought this was a “me” issue.
…
The doctor decided I “looked normal”
“I have atypical mania. It’s severe depression mixed with racing thoughts and paranoid ideas about relationships, usually. I recognize it right away, and my family knows what it looks like for me.
One time I went to the emergency room, both my family and I agreeing that I was slipping into a manic episode. I was struggling to do basic things like eat or even brush my teeth because my thoughts were spiralling out of control. The first doctor who saw me decided I “looked normal” and was acting normally and told me I could just go home instead of waiting for treatment.
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Made to feel I was just being dramatic
“After years of dealing with a collection of “odd” symptoms and getting random diagnosis I finally worked up the courage to visit my primary care doctor for an autoimmune workup and referral to a rheumatologist.
When I got back in the room, the nursing assistant started to check me in and was asking a bunch of questions about my symptoms. I felt a little awkward going into depth with her, when I was going to have to do this again for the doctor, but I anxiously took out my little sticky note of symptoms and began reading them and explaining them.
…
Ever had a doctor brush off your symptoms or make you question your own experience? You’re not alone. Medical gaslighting is a real problem, and speaking up about it can help others feel heard, recognised, and empowered to push for better care. If you’re willing to share your story (anonymously), we’d love to hear it.
✋ Medical Gaslighting FAQ
What is Medical Gaslighting
Medical gaslighting happens when doctors or other healthcare providers dismiss a patient’s symptoms, chalk them up to anxiety, or decide they aren’t worth further investigation. This can make patients second-guess their own experiences and lead to misdiagnoses, delayed treatment, or even no treatment at all.
Women, people of colour, and other marginalised groups are especially vulnerable, as biases in the medical system often mean their concerns aren’t taken as seriously. Contributing factors include rushed appointments, gaps in medical knowledge, and unconscious bias. Patients can advocate for themselves by coming prepared, clearly explaining their symptoms, and seeking second opinions when needed.
Why does medical gaslighting happen?
Medical gaslighting happens when doctors or other healthcare professionals dismiss a patient’s symptoms, brush them off as purely psychological, or fail to take them seriously enough to investigate further. This can make patients doubt their own experiences and lead to delayed diagnoses or improper treatment.
Women, people of colour, and other marginalized groups are especially vulnerable to this, often due to deep-rooted biases in the medical system. Several factors contribute to medical gaslighting, including rushed appointments, gaps in medical knowledge, and unconscious biases. Patients can push back by coming prepared to appointments, clearly explaining their symptoms, and seeking second opinions when necessary.
How to prevent medical gaslighting?
Preventing medical gaslighting requires effort from both patients and healthcare providers to improve communication and build trust.
For patients, preparation is key. Keeping a detailed record of symptoms—including when they started, how often they occur, and how they impact daily life—can provide concrete evidence during medical appointments. Writing down questions or concerns beforehand also ensures that important points aren’t forgotten in the moment.
Having a trusted friend or family member at appointments can also be helpful. They can reinforce concerns, take notes, and offer emotional support. When describing symptoms, being as clear and specific as possible makes a difference. Instead of saying, “I don’t feel well,” explaining exactly what’s happening—such as, “I’ve had severe fatigue for the past three months, and I struggle to get through a full day of work without needing to lie down”—can help doctors better understand the situation. If a doctor dismisses concerns, patients should feel empowered to ask for clarification, request further tests, or seek a second opinion if necessary.
On the healthcare side, providers play a crucial role in preventing medical gaslighting by listening to and validating their patients’ experiences. Taking the time to truly hear patients out, acknowledge their concerns, and avoid rushing to conclusions fosters a more supportive environment. Recognising and addressing unconscious biases is also essential, particularly when treating women, people of colour, and other marginalised groups who are more likely to have their symptoms dismissed.
A collaborative approach to care can make a significant difference. Explaining diagnoses and treatment options clearly, involving patients in decision-making, and respecting their input helps create a more balanced and trusting doctor-patient relationship. By prioritising open communication and empathy, both patients and healthcare providers can work toward better outcomes and a healthcare system that takes all concerns seriously.
Medical gaslighting examples
One common example of medical gaslighting is when a doctor insists symptoms are “just stress” or “all in your head” without fully investigating other possible causes. Patients, especially women and people with chronic illnesses, often hear that their pain or fatigue is “normal” or “not that bad,” leaving them feeling unheard. Others may be told their symptoms are due to weight, anxiety, or lifestyle choices, rather than being taken seriously and properly assessed.
Some patients experience gaslighting when their doctor won’t listen to their input or refuses to order additional tests, even when symptoms persist. In more extreme cases, a provider might completely ignore a patient’s concerns, dismissing them as overreacting or being difficult. This kind of treatment not only delays diagnoses but also damages trust in the healthcare system, leaving many people feeling frustrated and helpless.
Recognizing these patterns is the first step in advocating for yourself. If a doctor isn’t listening, seeking a second opinion or keeping detailed records of symptoms can help ensure you get the care you deserve.
Individuals experiencing medical gaslighting may hear dismissive or undermining remarks from healthcare providers that cause them to question their own health perceptions.
These statements can undermine a patient’s confidence, potentially leading to delayed diagnoses or inadequate treatment.
Signs you’ve been medically gaslit
Medical gaslighting can be subtle, but there are clear signs that your concerns aren’t being taken seriously. One major red flag is when a doctor dismisses your symptoms outright, making you feel like you’re overreacting or imagining things. If your provider repeatedly attributes your symptoms to stress, anxiety, or depression without exploring other possible causes, that’s another warning sign.
You might also notice that your doctor blames your symptoms on factors like your weight, age, or lifestyle without considering alternative explanations. Feeling unheard is another common experience—maybe they interrupt you, rush through the appointment, or seem disengaged. If you’ve asked for additional tests or a second opinion and been brushed off without a good reason, that’s a clear indicator that you may be experiencing medical gaslighting.
If any of this sounds familiar, it’s important to advocate for yourself. Keep track of your symptoms, bring a trusted friend or family member to appointments, and don’t hesitate to seek out a second opinion.
Medical Gaslighting: Women
Medical Gaslighting disproportionately affects women, leading to delayed diagnoses, misdiagnoses, and a loss of trust in the medical system.
Historically, women’s health concerns have been brushed aside. The outdated concept of “hysteria” may no longer be in medical textbooks, but the mindset that women’s symptoms are overblown still lingers.
Studies have shown that women are more likely than men to have their pain and symptoms minimized, resulting in significant delays in receiving proper treatment. For example, women experiencing heart attack symptoms often have their concerns dismissed as anxiety, which can lead to life-threatening consequences.
Medical gaslighting has serious consequences. Women with conditions like endometriosis, autoimmune diseases, and heart disease are frequently ignored or misdiagnosed, sometimes for years.
This delay in care means many suffer unnecessarily, often being told their symptoms are “just stress” or “normal for women.” A significant number of women report feeling unheard by their doctors, leaving them frustrated, anxious, and sometimes even questioning their own experiences.
Why Does This Happen? Several factors contribute to the prevalence of medical gaslighting in women’s healthcare:
The best way to combat medical gaslighting is through awareness, education, and self-advocacy.
Doctors need better training to recognize and counteract bias, ensuring that all patients are treated with the same level of care and attention.
Medical research must become more inclusive, focusing on conditions that disproportionately impact women to improve diagnostic accuracy and treatment options.
Women should feel empowered to advocate for themselves—whether that means seeking a second opinion, bringing a trusted person to appointments, or keeping a detailed record of symptoms.
Medical gaslighting isn’t just frustrating—it has real consequences for women’s health. Recognizing the problem is the first step toward change, and the more awareness we bring to the issue, the closer we get to a healthcare system that listens to and respects all patients.
🆘 Medical Gaslighting Resources
Fight medical gaslighting by being prepared for your next medical appointment. We created this worksheet based on the advice of a person who overcame gaslighting and was diagnosed with a chronic illness.
Brain fog or Anxiety impacting your ability to advocate in appointments? Us too! Bearable helps you tackle medical gaslighting by making sure you have a complete history of your symptoms and treatments in one place.
In 2021, we spoke with Dr Johannes Driessen about how people should address medical gaslighting from the perspective of a medical professional. TLDR: It’s okay to seek a second opinion.
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