"It's all in your head!" "You don't look sick."
"Your pain is normal for your age - or gender - or job situation..."
Has this happened to you? You go to the doctor looking for a diagnosis only to be told your legitimate complaints aren't valid.
Medical gaslighting occurs when doctors, nurses, or other healthcare professionals (HCPs) undermine or minimize a patient's physical symptoms, often attributing them to different causes or psychological factors.
It can happen particularly to individuals with an "invisible illness," and is often prevalent with women and people from diverse racial backgrounds.
Medical gaslighting, whether well-meaning or dismissive or uninformed, can cause a delay in the diagnosis and treatment of spondylitis.
This phenomenon can also lead patients to doubt their own lived experiences and perceptions regarding their health.
Have you had your symptoms dismissed or ignored by a healthcare professional?
Please complete the SURVEY below to share your experience:
(As always, your personal information is safe with SAA.)
Healthcare providers (HCP) have downplayed the symptoms I described.
HCP told me that my symptoms were all in my head or indicated I was being irrational.
HCP attributed my symptoms to another unrelated issue (such as weight) or psychological condition.
I feel that my HCP ignored or downplayed my concerns because of my gender.
I feel that my HCP ignored or downplayed my concerns because of my ethnicity or race.
I feel that my HCP ignored or downplayed my concerns because I didn’t “look sick.”
I have questioned what I knew to be true for myself as a result of medical gaslighting.
I have a mistrust of HCPs because of my previous experience with medical gaslighting.
(Check all that apply)
I would appreciate information & resources on ways to recognize and address medical gaslighting.
Please further explain your experience with medical gaslighting.
