Medical gaslighting is when a person’s symptoms are ignored by a medical professional. Although it can happen to anyone, it mainly affects women, people of color, and LGBTQ people. This all contributes to the rising problem of bias in the medical field. Dr Jennifer Mieres, professor of cardiology says “[g]aslighting is real: it happens all the time. Patients—especially women—need to be aware of it.”
Many people are not even aware they are being gaslighted. However, there are many warning signs that you are being gaslighted. Your doctor may constantly interrupt you and not seem engaged in the conversation, they may wonder if your symptoms are real, they do not order diagnostic test, he/she seems rude, and they may blame the symptoms on a mental illness even when you are not further tested for that illness.
If you figure out you are being gaslighted, there are things you can do. Keep detailed records, ask lots of questions at your appointments, bringing another person, getting straight to the point, and asking about the next steps at your appointments will help your doctor become more involved in your case.
If you have done all of this, and are still being gaslighted you still have some options to consider. Think about switching to another provider, redirecting the conversation, and talking to your doctor’s supervisor.
Medical gaslighting is unacceptable. Dr. Nicole Mitchell, a director of diversity, equity, and inclusion for an OBGYN department in California says, “[a]ny instances of abuse, manipulation, gaslighting, delaying diagnoses—those are reportable events that providers need to know about. Doctors need to be held accountable.” If you feel as if you are being gaslighted, you can report this to the Federal of State Medical Boards to make sure you are getting the best care and your doctor is held accountable.
Sources:
How-to-Spot-‘Medical-Gaslighting-and-What-to-Do-About-It.-The-New-York-Times
Download
Many people are not even aware they are being gaslighted. However, there are many warning signs that you are being gaslighted. Your doctor may constantly interrupt you and not seem engaged in the conversation, they may wonder if your symptoms are real, they do not order diagnostic test, he/she seems rude, and they may blame the symptoms on a mental illness even when you are not further tested for that illness.
If you figure out you are being gaslighted, there are things you can do. Keep detailed records, ask lots of questions at your appointments, bringing another person, getting straight to the point, and asking about the next steps at your appointments will help your doctor become more involved in your case.
If you have done all of this, and are still being gaslighted you still have some options to consider. Think about switching to another provider, redirecting the conversation, and talking to your doctor’s supervisor.
Medical gaslighting is unacceptable. Dr. Nicole Mitchell, a director of diversity, equity, and inclusion for an OBGYN department in California says, “[a]ny instances of abuse, manipulation, gaslighting, delaying diagnoses—those are reportable events that providers need to know about. Doctors need to be held accountable.” If you feel as if you are being gaslighted, you can report this to the Federal of State Medical Boards to make sure you are getting the best care and your doctor is held accountable.
Sources:
How-to-Spot-‘Medical-Gaslighting-and-What-to-Do-About-It.-The-New-York-Times
Download