Have you ever walked into a doctor's office, voiced your concerns to a provider, and essentially been told that it's either in your head or just the result of stress, when you know it's something more? Well, there's a name for what you may have experienced — it's called medical gaslighting.
You may be familiar with romantic gaslighting, which refers to a form of psychological abuse, wherein someone manipulates their partner into questioning their own reality. Medical gaslighting, on the other hand, occurs when medical professionals disregard their patients' feelings or reported symptoms, attributing their experiences to psychological causes (like stress) or denying their symptoms entirely.
It's all too common, and women are more at risk: research shows that one in five women report that a healthcare provider has ignored or dismissed their symptoms. People of color may also be especially likely to experience the phenomenon, which could lead to harmful delays in diagnoses, or worse. In fact, one out of every seven doctor-patient encounters results in diagnostic error — which includes missed, wrong, or delayed diagnoses — according to a study in The Medical Journal of Australia. At least a portion of that diagnostic error can be attributed to what's known as medical gaslighting, says Liz Kwo, MD, a Massachusetts-based physician and the chief medical officer at Everly Health. Ahead, here's what you need to know about medical gaslighting — including why it happens and how to combat it.
The Mechanics of Medical Gaslighting
Medical gaslighting isn’t just about a doctor brushing off your concerns—it’s a systemic issue rooted in biases, rushed appointments, and sometimes, plain old arrogance. Dr. Kwo explains that when symptoms don’t fit neatly into a textbook diagnosis, some providers default to labeling them as psychosomatic or stress-related. This isn’t just frustrating; it can be dangerous. Imagine walking around with an undiagnosed autoimmune disorder because your fatigue was dismissed as “just anxiety.” It happens more often than you’d think.
Part of the problem lies in how medical training emphasizes pattern recognition. Doctors are taught to match symptoms to known conditions, but when the puzzle pieces don’t align, some providers—instead of digging deeper—opt for the easy out: “It’s probably stress.” Add in the time constraints of modern healthcare, where appointments are often crammed into 15-minute slots, and you’ve got a perfect storm for gaslighting. Patients leave feeling unheard, while their actual health concerns continue to simmer unchecked.
Who Gets Gaslit the Most?
If you’re a woman, a person of color, or someone with a chronic illness, you’re statistically more likely to experience medical gaslighting. Studies show that women’s pain is frequently downplayed—sometimes with deadly consequences. Heart attack symptoms in women, for example, often differ from the “classic” chest-clutching portrayal seen in men, leading to misdiagnosis or dismissal. And let’s not even get started on how often menstrual pain is written off as “normal” when it could signal conditions like endometriosis.
For Black patients, the stats are even grimmer. Research has shown that Black people are less likely to be prescribed pain medication, with some providers still clinging to the debunked myth that Black individuals have a higher pain tolerance. This isn’t just bias—it’s a legacy of racist medical practices that continue to affect care today. The result? Delayed diagnoses, untreated conditions, and a whole lot of justified distrust in the healthcare system.
Why Does This Keep Happening?
Beyond bias and time constraints, there’s another culprit: the hierarchy of medicine. Historically, doctors have been positioned as infallible authorities, which can create a power dynamic where patients feel intimidated or hesitant to push back. Combine that with the fact that many people—especially women and marginalized groups—are socialized to be polite and accommodating, and you’ve got a recipe for gaslighting. Patients second-guess themselves, wondering, “Maybe it is all in my head,” while their actual symptoms go unaddressed.
There’s also the issue of diagnostic overshadowing, where a patient’s existing mental health diagnosis (like anxiety or depression) becomes the scapegoat for all physical symptoms. Got a history of panic attacks? Suddenly, that unexplained dizziness is just “more anxiety.” This kind of reductive thinking can have serious consequences, especially for patients with complex or rare conditions that require thorough investigation.
How to Fight Back Against Medical Gaslighting
First, trust your gut. If something feels off in your body, it probably is. One of the most powerful tools against gaslighting is self-advocacy. Come to appointments prepared with a detailed symptom log—include when symptoms occur, their severity, and any potential triggers. This not only helps you stay organized but also signals to your provider that you’re serious about your health.
If a doctor brushes you off, don’t be afraid to ask pointed questions: “What else could this be?” or “Can we rule out [specific condition]?” If they still won’t engage, seek a second (or third) opinion. Remember, you’re not being difficult—you’re being proactive. And if possible, bring a trusted friend or family member to appointments. Having an advocate in the room can make it harder for a provider to dismiss your concerns.
Changing the System
While individual advocacy is crucial, systemic change is what’s really needed. Medical schools must do better at teaching doctors to listen without bias, and healthcare systems need to prioritize longer appointment times to allow for thorough evaluations. Patients shouldn’t have to fight to be heard—quality care should be the default, not the exception.
In the meantime, sharing stories of medical gaslighting can help raise awareness and push for accountability. The more we talk about it, the harder it becomes for providers to ignore. Because at the end of the day, no one should have to convince their doctor that their pain is real.
Medical gaslighting is more than just frustrating—it’s a barrier to proper healthcare that disproportionately affects women, people of color, and marginalized communities. By recognizing the signs, advocating for yourself, and demanding systemic change, we can start to shift the power dynamic back toward patients. After all, you know your body better than anyone else. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
