Have you ever felt that you have been ignored by doctors? Or have you had something waved off but turned out to be a severe injury or condition? Medical gaslighting is sadly quite common, and something many people have experienced.
One story of medical gaslighting is comes from Christina, 39, as when she fell of her bike she was ignored by doctors for years.
“My elbow was still hurting. I went to my regular primary care doctor, and she just sort of hand-waved it off as ‘Well, you’re overweight and it’s putting stress on your joints.’” Christina added.
Later, when she visited the urgent care, she was found to have a chipped bone in her elbow.
Many patients have been turned down by doctors, and those part of the LGBTQA+ community, minority group, and women are even more often often subjected to Medical Gaslighting.
Dr. Jennifer Mieres, a cardiology professor, said, “Gaslighting is real; it happens all the time. Patients — and especially women — need to be aware of it.”
Some things to help with Medical Gaslighting can be asking multiple questions, bringing an extra person with you, and if you continue to get ignored, join a support groups.
Sources: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/29/well/mind/medical-gaslighting.html
One story of medical gaslighting is comes from Christina, 39, as when she fell of her bike she was ignored by doctors for years.
“My elbow was still hurting. I went to my regular primary care doctor, and she just sort of hand-waved it off as ‘Well, you’re overweight and it’s putting stress on your joints.’” Christina added.
Later, when she visited the urgent care, she was found to have a chipped bone in her elbow.
Many patients have been turned down by doctors, and those part of the LGBTQA+ community, minority group, and women are even more often often subjected to Medical Gaslighting.
Dr. Jennifer Mieres, a cardiology professor, said, “Gaslighting is real; it happens all the time. Patients — and especially women — need to be aware of it.”
Some things to help with Medical Gaslighting can be asking multiple questions, bringing an extra person with you, and if you continue to get ignored, join a support groups.
Sources: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/29/well/mind/medical-gaslighting.html
