Medical gaslighting, also known as the manipulation of medical professionals dismissing one’s health concerns and leading them to question their perceptions, has been drawing the attention of the media lately. What’s more, reports show the categories of the ‘patients’ in these medical provider’s targets: females, L.G.B.T.Q. individuals, racial minorities, and geriatric patients. 

For instance, according to The New York Times, studies reveal that “women are more likely than men to be misdiagnosed with certain conditions - like heart disease and autoimmune disorders.” Furthermore, doctors were more likely to use “negative descriptors like “noncompliant” or “agitated” in Black patients’ health records” in comparison to records of white patients. 

The article mentions that this could lead to a later disadvantage of “health care disparities.” A few of the most prevalent types of medical gaslighting are misdiagnosis, forced undertreatment, and overtreatment. Delving into a case of misdiagnosis to a female patient in South Carolina from Health, Deborah J. Cohan sought doctoral help due to excruciating abdominal pain. Assuming it to be a gynecological issue, she described her symptoms to her primary care doctor but was corrected as back pain and given muscle relaxants and pain relievers. As the prescriptions didn’t show any significant effects, she sought help once more. Health mentions, “The doctor on duty confidently announced that Cohan had uterine fibroids, non-cancerous growths in the uterus.” Cohan responded with assurance that it was not possible as she underwent uterus removal the past year in the same hospital; however, "the doctor was adamant [she] was mistaken,"

“Gaslighting is real; it happens all the time.” said cardiology professor Dr. Jennifer H. Mieres. Therefore, individuals should adopt ways to advocate for themselves in such medical dilemmas and support their views without experiencing a such form of difficulty
. 

김채원 강남포스트 학생기자  webmaster@ignnews.kr

<저작권자 © 강남포스트, 무단 전재 및 재배포 금지>