Medical Gaslighting – What It Is and What To Do About It

There is something insidious and harmful that has been happening in the healthcare field, and until recently – it was unchecked. It’s only recently that we have even had an appropriate and agreed upon term to help identify it: medical gaslighting.

Medical gaslighting is used to describe a situation in which patients have been made to feel (intentionally or unintentionally) like their symptoms were not real, less severe, or even entirely imagined.

This is an occurrence that happens unequally to different communities.  The people most affected by medical gaslighting are women and people of color. 

“The medical professional acts as a gatekeeper. Individual patients present the medical professional with subjective claims, ‘symptoms,’ in medical parlance, and the medical professional can bestow upon them the status of objective “signs” that are legitimate and deserving of recognition by the medical system. Possessing appropriate cultural health capital—knowing how to report one’s symptoms—thus becomes an important condition for being able to access adequate care”

(Collyer et al., 2017; Shim, 2010)

Basically, healthcare providers have historically held the key to the gate you need to enter for healing. And when the healthcare provider has unchecked power like this, it can creates a power differential – one where significant consequences can occur that can negatively impact your health – and your life.

That is entirely unfair. You should be able to receive proper care. A healthcare provider’s office or a hospital should be a sanctuary – a place to go for compassionate care and healing.

Whether you can communicate your symptoms clearly or not, doesn’t mean your concerns aren’t valid.  And for many – even communicating your symptoms clearly still results in your doctor casting aside your worry and concerns, which can delay treatment, diagnostic testing, and even be fatal.

While medical gaslighting should never happen, the good news is you can arm yourself with knowledge so that you can spot the signs and take appropriate action.   

Common Signs of Medical Gaslighting

In order to know if you’ve been medically gaslit, it can help to know common experiences and examples:

1. Your symptoms aren’t taken seriously. They may be blamed on hormones, aging, or stress.
2. Being frequently interrupted or cut off while you are trying to express your concerns.
3. Your symptoms might be laughed at, dismissed…or you are told “it’s all in your head.”
4. You begin to question your own symptoms after seeing your physician.
5. Your requests for additional diagnostics are repeatedly ignored.
6. You are discouraged from educating yourself or seeking a second opinion.

What to do if you Experience Medical Gaslighting

Think you have been medically gaslighted?  Here are a few steps that can help you navigate the aftermath of the event(s):

1. Find some separation from the event.  
2. If you feel safe, voice your concerns to your medical provider.
3. Take detailed notes of your experiences with your medical provider to be able to adequately advocate for yourself.
4. Seek emotional support through family, friends, or mental health providers.
5. Fire your provider and find another one, until you get the support you deserve.

Signs of Medical Gaslighting in Pelvic Health

Medical gaslighting can happen in all areas of healthcare. But since women are a group of people that are most often impacted by medical gaslighting, pregnancy related issues, postpartum issues, and pelvic floor issues are commonly ignored or mistreated.

What are some common ways in which you may have been medically gaslighted?

• You didn’t get access to pelvic health therapy AFTER giving birth.
• You were told that your pregnancy “pain is normal” and “it will just go away after birth.”
• You were told, “It’s normal to pee in your pants!”
• You were told there is no relationship or connection between your voice and your pelvic floor.
• Your were told your low mood was simply normal postpartum blues.
• You were told to have a glass of wine to make s*x less painful.

This list is NOT exclusive or in anyway complete. There are so many different ways that someone can be medically gaslighted. The important thing to know, is that if you didn’t feel listened to or the proper treatment, you’ll need to find another healthcare provider.

Think you’ve Experienced Medical Gaslighting, but Aren’t Sure?

We are happy to help!