Medical gaslighting is when a healthcare professional dismisses or ignores a patient's concerns about their health. It can happen to people with chronic conditions and can lead to missed diagnoses, delayed treatment, and poor health outcomes.
Examples of medical gaslighting include:
Dismissing a patient's concerns as normal or not relevant
Telling a patient that their condition is stable, even though it's worsening
Dismissing a patient's pain or attributing it to anxiety or poor nutrition
Refusing to order imaging or lab work
Dismissing a patient's bloodwork results
How medical gaslighting can affect patients
It can damage a patient's trust in the healthcare system
It can make a patient less likely to seek care whilst also making a patient feel like they are "crazy"
Cause unnecessary pain, discomfort and uncertain futures
Result in loss of professions and social interactions
Affects personal relationships and causes problems with family and friends
What patients can do about medical gaslighting
Contact the patient advocacy staff at the hospital/Patient Liaison Service (PALS)
Address the problem with the doctor's supervisor
Report the experience to the NHS service provider or the commissioner of the services directly, and consider seeking support from an NHS complaints advocate or your local Healthwatch.
You can also raise concerns with the General Medical Council (GMC) or the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) depending on the healthcare professional involved.
Downplaying your symptoms: “It’s all in your head. There’s nothing physically wrong with you.”
Dismissing your concerns: “That’s just a minor issue; you’re making a big deal out of nothing.”
Ignoring your input: “You’re not a doctor; you should trust my judgment about what’s best for you.”
Giving you false reassurance: “You’re too young to have anything serious. It’s probably nothing to worry over.”
Kristin Wilson, Chief Experience Officer suggests the following:
Ask for clarification: If you feel that the healthcare provider’s explanations are unclear or contradictory, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification. A qualified professional should be willing to address your questions and concerns openly.
Involve a trusted friend or family member: If possible, involve a trusted friend or family member in your healthcare appointments. Having another person present can provide emotional support and serve as a witness to the interactions.
Seek a second opinion: If you’re unsure about the diagnosis or treatment you received, don’t hesitate to seek a second opinion from another medical professional. Getting a fresh perspective can help validate your concerns or provide alternative options.
Seek support: Reach out to patient advocacy groups or medical ombudsman services for guidance and support in dealing with the situation.
According to Wilson, trusting your instincts, keeping a journal, seeking support, maintaining self-care strategies and considering getting professional help are all coping strategies that you can employ to support yourself.
In summary, there are steps that you can take to heal from gaslighting which include:
Acknowledging and validating your experience
Seeking support
Establishing boundaries
Rebuilding self-esteem and trust
Learning about gaslighting and psychological abuse
Developing healthy relationships
Practicing self-care.
Whilst these don’t necessarily provide you with the outcome that you desire they enable you to take some control of the situation, recognising what is happening and allowing yourself to heal and surround yourself with the right support mechanisms.
Commentaires