Gaslighting. You’ve probably heard of this term when it comes to toxic relationships. In this case, you feel belittled or ignored because someone influences your thinking and feelings.
Gaslighting is a common experience among women, and rates are higher for women of color. Clinical Assistant Professor Jean Kim, a psychiatrist, describes the phenomenon as “minimizing.”
She said, “Gaslighting is a popular term for psychological manipulation where one person treats another individual’s concerns or complaints as solely ‘in their head.'”
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Have You Been Gaslit?
According to Dr. Kim, the problem is that people go to physicians expecting the physician to be an expert who can diagnose and treat their illnesses better than they can. However, patients themselves know what they are feeling.
She said, “If this communication fails, the patient worries that they are being gaslit. People can bring their assumptions and prejudices to the situation, dismiss concerns and communicate them poorly, contributing to the communication and trust gap.”
Is There A Way You Handle This?
Whenever you feel something is off with your body, being affirmative and not taking no for an answer is critical. However, seeing a doctor can be scary, even if you like them. Dr. Kim said, “Sometimes patients feel coerced into not bringing up their issues when most doctors greatly appreciate patient candor.”
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Is It Possible To Prevent Gaslighting?
Dr. Kim said, “Open and honest communication is the most important thing.” Kim points out that physicians are also encouraged to undergo bias training to prevent dismissing patients based on their gender, race, or social status.
Ensure you write down all your questions and concerns before you go to the doctor, so you don’t forget them.
Protecting Your Mental And Physical Health?
A person’s mental and emotional well-being is affected by pain or other medical issues. The following practical steps can help you protect yourself. Get advice from someone you trust. That could be a friend, family member, or therapist. Make a list of all the symptoms, including a description, date, frequency, and other details you think are essential. It might be time to switch practitioners if none of this works. Getting the right doctor is very important to get the treatment you deserve.