What is Medical Gaslighting?

There is a quiet betrayal that happens in the hushed corners of exam rooms, one that leaves patients questioning their own bodies, their own instincts, their own truth. It is called medical gaslighting, and for many, it is an invisible wound that cuts deeper than the illness itself.

Imagine walking into a doctor’s office, burdened with pain, fatigue, or a lingering sense that something just isn’t right. You are seeking understanding, validation, and—most of all—help. But instead of being met with compassion, you are told that your symptoms are stress-related, exaggerated, or even imagined. You leave not with answers, but with doubt—doubt about your body, doubt about your own perception, doubt about whether you even deserve care.

Medical gaslighting occurs when a patient’s symptoms and concerns are dismissed or invalidated by healthcare professionals. It is not always intentional. More often, it stems from ingrained biases, outdated medical teachings, or the relentless pressures of an overburdened healthcare system. But the effect is the same: patients, especially women, people of color, and those with chronic or invisible illnesses, are left unheard, untreated, and sometimes, deeply harmed.

What is Medical Gaslighting?

The American Journal of Medicine defines medical gaslighting as:

“An act that invalidates a patient’s genuine clinical concern without proper medical evaluation, because of physician ignorance, implicit bias, or medical paternalism.”

Unlike other forms of gaslighting, this dismissal is rarely done with malicious intent. But whether intentional or not, the consequences are profound. It delays diagnoses, prolongs suffering, and erodes trust—not just in individual doctors, but in the entire healthcare system. Worse, it forces many patients to become warriors in their own care, constantly fighting to be heard, believed, and treated with the dignity they deserve

Recognizing Medical Gaslighting in Everyday Encounters

This quiet erosion of trust can take many forms:

• “It’s all in your head.” Patients with persistent pain or unexplained symptoms may be told their condition is psychological, rather than being offered medical tests or a thorough evaluation.
• No diagnosis, no answers. When test results come back “normal,” some doctors conclude that nothing is wrong, rather than acknowledging that not all conditions are easily detectable.
• Minimizing pain. When a patient expresses distress over ongoing symptoms and is met with, “You’re probably just overreacting,” it sends a clear message: Your experience is not valid.
• Blaming anxiety. Women, in particular, often hear, “It’s just stress” or “You need to relax,” rather than receiving the investigative care that could uncover a deeper issue.

The Fine Line Between Healthy Skepticism and Harmful Dismissal

Of course, doctors are trained to be skeptical, to critically assess symptoms before making a diagnosis. This is a necessary part of medicine. But there is a difference between healthy inquiry and outright dismissal.

Clinical skepticism is about gathering evidence, exploring possibilities, and engaging with the patient’s lived experience. Medical gaslighting, on the other hand, is when a patient’s reality is denied without proper evaluation. It is the difference between a doctor saying, “Let’s investigate further,” and one saying, “There’s nothing wrong with you.”

Why Does Medical Gaslighting Happen?

Bias is one of the most insidious culprits. Whether conscious or unconscious, these biases shape how symptoms are perceived and addressed.

• Gender Bias: Women, especially those with chronic pain, are more likely to be dismissed. Their pain is often attributed to emotional distress rather than legitimate medical conditions.
• Racial Bias: Studies show that Black, Latino, and Indigenous patients are less likely to receive adequate pain management and more likely to have their symptoms minimized.
• Age Bias: Older patients may be told their symptoms are “just aging,” while younger ones—especially women—are often considered “too young” for serious conditions.
• Mental Health Bias: Those with anxiety or depression often have their physical complaints attributed solely to their mental health, rather than being evaluated holistically.
• The “Dr. Google” Effect: Patients who research their symptoms online are sometimes dismissed as overreacting, rather than being recognized as proactive advocates for their own care.

These biases—rooted in outdated assumptions—leave countless individuals feeling unheard and unimportant. But the truth is, every patient deserves to be seen, heard, and believed.

Moving Forward: How Patients Can Advocate for Themselves

If you feel unheard by a healthcare provider, you are not alone. Here are a few ways to reclaim your voice:

1. Trust your instincts. You know your body better than anyone. If something feels wrong, don’t ignore it.
2. Bring documentation. Keep a record of your symptoms, including when they started, how they affect your daily life, and any patterns you’ve noticed.
3. Ask questions. If a doctor dismisses your concerns, ask: “What else could it be?” or “Can we explore other possibilities?”
4. Seek a second opinion. If your concerns continue to be dismissed, find a doctor who will listen.
5. Take someone with you. A trusted friend or family member can help advocate for you in the moment.

The Power of Being Heard

Healing begins with being seen. Being heard. Being believed. Every patient deserves a doctor who listens with an open mind and a compassionate heart. And for those who have been dismissed in the past, know this: your experience matters. Your pain is real. And you are worthy of care.

Medical gaslighting is not just a personal issue—it is a systemic one. But by shedding light on it, by speaking out, and by demanding better, we take the first step toward change. Because at the end of the day, every person deserves to feel safe in the hands of those sworn to heal.

So, if no one has told you this yet today: I believe you.