Medical Gaslighting: What It Is & How to Handle It

Feeling dismissed by your doctors or told, “It’s all in your head?” You may be experiencing medical gaslighting. This happens when doctors minimize or ignore your concerns, instead of digging deeper.

Maybe your symptoms were brushed off as stress, hormones, or “just a natural part of aging.” But deep down, you know something isn’t right. You walk in hoping for real answers. Instead, you leave the visit with a prescription for antidepressants.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many patients leave doctor appointments feeling frustrated and unheard. As a functional medicine doctor and practitioner, I see so many folks land in my care after being blown off by other providers.

But knowledge is power, and there is another path. Read on to learn the signs of medical gaslighting—and how functional medicine can help you get to the root of what’s really going on.

What is Medical Gaslighting?

Simply put, it’s when medical professionals downplay or dismiss your concerns. And unfortunately, it’s quite common.

One 2023 survey found that 94% of patients have dealt with medical gaslighting at some point. While it can happen to anyone, some people are more likely to face it than others, like women and racial minorities.

For example, in one study, women who went to the ER for severe stomach pain had to wait 33% longer than men.

Another study found that doctors are more likely to blame heart disease symptoms on mental health conditions if the patient is a woman. Research shows it takes women longer to get cancer diagnoses than men as well.

Evidence shows there’s racial bias, too. Case in point: one study found that racial minorities were more likely to have their stroke symptoms misdiagnosed. And when it comes to strokes, every minute matters.

Signs of Medical Gaslighting

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So, how can you spot medical gaslighting? Here are some red flags to watch out for:

Doesn’t listen or interrupts: Your provider doesn’t allow you to voice your concerns or constantly cuts you off.
Minimizes symptoms: They dismiss your symptoms, say you’re overreacting, or that “there’s nothing wrong with you.”
Says it’s “all in your head”: They assume your symptoms are psychosomatic and blame mental health issues like stress, anxiety, or depression.
Blames you for symptoms: They say your concerns are due to your age, weight, hormones, or lifestyle choices, without looking deeper.
Rushes you: They’re quick to diagnose you without hearing you out. They may not fully explain things and treat you like a box to check off a list.
Refuses further testing: When you ask for more testing or specialist referrals, you’re met with resistance. They discount anything outside their narrow view.
Lacks empathy: Your provider doesn’t show compassion for what you’re going through. Or worse, they may laugh at you or make condescending remarks. This can leave you feeling angry, frustrated, and create a distrust of doctors.

Why Medical Gaslighting Happens

Honestly, a lot of medical gaslighting is unintentional. Yes, unconscious and conscious biases can play a role. But often, flaws in our health care system are to blame. Here’s what I mean.

Medical doctors are trained to treat symptoms with prescriptions. This can turn into an endless whack-a-mole game. You treat symptoms, only to have others pop up, but never get to the bottom of anything.

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That’s because conventional doctors aren’t trained to look at patients holistically. Instead, you get sent to specialist after specialist—but no one is connecting the dots.

Not to mention, most doctors are stretched thin and have limited time for each patient. In fact, the average primary care visit lasts about 18 minutes.

That’s plenty if you’re dealing with something acute like a cold. But if you’re struggling with something more mysterious, that likely won’t cut it.

On top of that, most doctors only receive about 20 hours of nutrition training in medical school. This can cause them to downplay nutrition’s role in health out of sheer ignorance.

Some doctors may also not be knowledgeable enough about certain health conditions to make an accurate diagnosis. They may brush off symptoms as stress. When in reality, long COVID, Lyme disease, or chronic fatigue syndrome is to blame.

Whether the medical gaslighting is intentional or not, the result is the same. Your symptoms go on, and you’re left with unanswered questions.

How to Handle Medical Gaslighting

Unfortunately, until the health care system changes, medical gaslighting will likely stick around.

So, what can you do if a doctor gaslights you?

Here are some tips that can prevent medical gaslighting and help you get the care you need:

Trust your gut. You know your body best. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t be afraid to push back and speak up. You are the CEO of your health, not your doctor.
Track your symptoms. Take notes in a journal or app so you have data to share. If you have previous lab tests, bring those too. The more prepared you are for appointments, the smoother they’ll go.
Ask questions. Most doctor visits go quickly. So it’s best to jot down any questions you want to ask ahead of time. And make sure they get answered.
Bring a support buddy. If you’re concerned you’ll be blown off, bring a trusted family member or loved one for support. Knowing someone has your back can make it easier to speak up.
Get a second opinion. If your current doctor isn’t listening, find a new one. It’s okay to get a second opinion, or even a third.
Consider a new approach. If you’ve been to several doctors and feel like you’re getting nowhere, it may be time for a new approach. Consider working with an integrative or functional medicine doctor. They’re experts at finding the root cause behind mysterious symptoms.

How Functional Medicine in Orland Park, IL Can Help

If you’ve been dismissed or offered band-aid solutions, functional medicine offers another path. Instead of just managing symptoms, functional medicine finds the root causes of what’s going on in your body.

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Symptoms like fatigue, pain, or brain fog often don’t have a single cause. They can stem from a mix of hormonal imbalances, gut infections, toxins, nutrient deficiencies, stress, or even past trauma.

Functional medicine doctors are trained to connect the dots and uncover what’s really driving your symptoms. They often do advanced testing that traditional docs don’t offer.

Instead of one-size-fits-all protocols, you get guidance personalized just for you. Nutrition, stress, sleep, lifestyle, supplements—everything is covered.

In other words, functional medicine takes a whole-person approach. After all, everything in your body is connected, so your care should be too.

Find the Root Cause of Stubborn Symptoms with Functional Medicine in Orland Park, IL

If you’ve been told your symptoms are “just stress,” “just hormones,” or “part of getting older,” it’s easy to feel discouraged. But you don’t have to settle for being dismissed. At Anchored in Health, our functional medicine doctor takes the time to listen, ask the right questions, and look beneath the surface to figure out what’s really going on. Our clinic in Orland Park, IL serves patients across the greater Chicago area. Whether you’re dealing with chronic symptoms or still searching for answers, we’re here to help you feel like yourself again. Ready to take the next step?

Contact us with any questions.
Book your first appointment with our functional medicine doctor here.
Get the answers you’ve been looking for and the support you deserve.

Other Wellness Services Offered at Anchored in Health in Orland Park, IL

At Anchored in Health, we provide a wide range of natural therapies to support your health and well-being. This includes chiropractic care, acupuncture, massage therapy, and the Shape ReClaimed program. We also offer genetic testing, thermography, and vibrant wellness testing to help get to the root of your health concerns.

Ready to get started? Contact us to see how we can support you on your health journey.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this blog is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The content is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition.

Reading this blog does not establish a doctor-patient relationship between you and Anchored In Health or any of its practitioners. Reliance on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk.