There is a woman who visited a healthcare facility to get herself checked because she often felt dizzy, and the healthcare professional she encountered said she just needed more sleep. Then, the woman tried to sleep more, but her symptoms did not improve. This made her unsure, and she eventually visited another healthcare facility.
After receiving an examination from the second healthcare professional, it turned out that the woman was diagnosed with a brain tumor. How is it possible that the initial diagnosis did not detect any anomalies in the woman? This situation could be indicative of what is often referred to as medical gaslighting. Let's discuss!
Definition
Medical gaslighting refers to behavior in which healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, or other medical professionals) disregard or downplay a patient's physical symptoms or attribute them to other factors, such as psychological conditions. Interestingly, this condition often occurs in female patients and people of color, where healthcare professionals tend not to take every symptom experienced seriously.
For example, when both men and women have the same symptoms of coronary heart disease, doctors are more confident in diagnosing it in men than in women. There are also cases where female patients with heart disease are treated less aggressively. On the other hand, women are twice as likely to experience symptoms caused by mental health conditions compared to men.
Medical gaslighting occurs when healthcare professionals disregard patient symptoms.
Signs of Medical Gaslighting
Signs of medical gaslighting behavior by healthcare professionals are quite easy to identify. Often, it can be noticed just from their statements. Here are some of them:
- Ignoring the patient's symptoms and not taking their concerns seriously ("the pain you're experiencing can be managed").
- Refusing to listen to the patient and consistently dismissing them.
- Mocking the patient's concerns or stating that what they are experiencing is just a suggestion ("it's all in your head").
- Lacking empathy or sensitivity to the patient's concerns and pain ("you're just stressed").
- Blaming the patient for their condition ("conditions like this often happen with age").
- Linking medical issues to mental health conditions ("it's happening because you're depressed").
Healthcare professionals generally show indifference to patients' statements.
Causes
Not all patients are aware that they are experiencing medical gaslighting. However, the causes may be due to implicit bias. What is it? Implicit bias refers to unconscious attitudes, behaviors, or actions related to gender, race, ethnicity, age, or other characteristics. In the case of medical gaslighting, this may be caused by systemic issues.
For example, excessive funding is provided for research on diseases that commonly affect men, while funding for women is not as substantial. This subsequently leads to less information about diseases that commonly affect women, causing healthcare professionals to lack sufficient knowledge about the issues, needs, and treatments.
Impact
Certainly, medical gaslighting can have detrimental effects on patients, both physically and emotionally. Such behavior causes patients to spend more time finding a trustworthy doctor to accurately diagnose them. The negative impact on patients varies, and examples include:
- Undergoing more tests or examinations.
- Visiting various healthcare professionals. Needing corrections in medical diagnoses.
- Suffering due to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.
- Experiencing anxiety, depression, or even PTSD (long-term effects).
- Facing poor medical outcomes (conditions worsening due to lack of intensive care).
Ways to Avoid Medical Gaslighting
1. See a trusted doctor
If you feel that the first doctor is neglecting, trivializing, or not taking your symptoms seriously, seek another doctor.
2. Bring someone you trust
If you feel unsure, visit the doctor with a parent, friend, or trusted relative. The goal is to get support if healthcare professionals question or doubt your statements about the symptoms you are experiencing.
3. Keep a symptom diary
To ensure that what you are experiencing is indeed happening, try writing down all symptoms, their developments, and any health changes you experience over time. Through this diary, you can not only remember everything that has happened but also convey it in a sequential and organized manner.
4. Get a second opinion
If you are dissatisfied with the first diagnosis received, do not hesitate to seek a second opinion.
Medical gaslighting can lead to patients not receiving the correct diagnosis and treatment. As a result, the patient's condition worsens. Follow the above tips to prevent this from happening to you!
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