It’s Time To Call Out Medical Gaslighting

Welcome to the weekly edition of Unlocking Your Greatness with Wendy Bjork.  As an international bestselling author, speaker and guide to others, as well as founder of heartsofwellness.com, it is my mission to help others understand where we’ve been in order to make progress forward and live our best lives!

Have you been the recipient of medical gaslighting? 

For me, it began when I was 15 and had realized something was very wrong with me.  My doctor actually told me I was being dramatic and imagining it all since I was a perfectly healthy, athletic teenager.  It took many more doctors and many more years to get any answers, but I kept asking questions and documenting my symptoms.  Which I still do today. Keep a notebook and write down the date along with anything that does not seem “normal” to you.

The term “gaslighting” has become common in everyday conversations, but it originated in a 1938 play and 1944 film based on a husband’s attempts to drive his wife insane by convincing her she couldn’t trust her own perception of reality. 

Today, the phenomenon is also applied to situations where a medical professional downplays a patient’s concerns or dismisses their symptoms as the result of their imagination. When a health care provider gaslights their patients, it can have serious consequences for their mental and physical health.

A recent social media post shows that the issue is far more widespread than previously thought. The post has received more than 222 million views and features stories of people who have felt they were dismissed by their doctors or blamed for their symptoms, such as women with PCOS, uterine fibroids, autoimmune and other invisible illnesses.. These experiences can be maddening and can lead to frustration, distress, and even medical trauma. Medical gaslighting can also affect patients’ ability to seek treatment and improve their health outcomes.

Some of the reasons for medical gaslighting are related to unconscious biases that have long existed in the medical industry. Research has shown that some types of healthcare professionals tend to have preconceived notions about certain races, genders, and social groups, and they may ignore or dismiss symptoms that don’t fit their stereotypes. Then, they may blame those symptoms on something else or send the patient home without a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Other issues that can lead to medical gaslighting include a doctor’s inability to give the patient their full attention or feel that they are being interrupted. It can be easy to miss a sign that a health care provider is gaslighting you, and it’s important to know the warning signs.

If you’re dealing with a medical gaslighter, try to bring a trusted friend or family member to your next appointment. That way, they can step in and help you if the situation becomes uncomfortable. In addition, try to find a new doctor if possible. If your doctor is consistently dismissing your concerns or blaming them on something else, it’s time to find a new provider,” says psychologist Michelle Felder, LCSW.

In cases of serious medical gaslighting, a misdiagnosis can have life-threatening effects.  It’s important to always listen to your inner voice, your intuition and keep searching until you receive the answers you are seeking.

My mission and goal is bringing to light what we may have forgotten. The Truth that can help us live our best lives. Too often, we are led to believe only one way of thinking is the correct way.  We should always remember we each have our own voice and when relevant, use it. Knowing and trusting our source is imperative.

If there is any support I can offer, feel free to visit heartsofwellness.com or send a message to media@heartsofwellness.com.

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