05/28/2026
If you’ve ever felt dismissed by a health care provider, you aren’t alone. Several major studies show that a large percentage of patients (one study showed 52%!) felt like their health care provider ignored or dismissed their concerns. This number goes up with a gender bias- women have experienced medical gaslighting more than men. As much as 93% of women have felt dismissed at one point or another by their doctor.
If this has happened to you, do the following:
⭐️Ask direct follow-up questions
Instead of shutting down, ask things like:
“Can you explain why you don’t think further testing is necessary?” or “What else could be causing these symptoms?”
It keeps the conversation focused and makes it harder for concerns to be brushed aside.
⭐️Bring notes or a symptom timeline
Writing down symptoms, triggers, pain levels, failed treatments, and how the issue affects daily life can help make the conversation more objective and organized. Doctors often respond differently when they can clearly see patterns and history.
⭐️Advocate for documentation
If a request for imaging, referral, or testing is denied, patients can calmly say:
“Can you document in my chart that I requested this and that it was declined?”
That often changes the tone of the conversation and encourages more thoughtful discussion.
⭐️Get a second opinion
Feeling unheard is a valid reason to seek another provider. Different clinicians have different perspectives, and sometimes a fresh set of eyes leads to answers that were previously overlooked.
⭐️Trust persistent symptoms
Patients don’t need to ignore ongoing pain, fatigue, numbness, headaches, digestive issues, or other changes just because they were told “everything looks fine.” If symptoms continue affecting quality of life, it’s reasonable to keep asking questions and pursuing care.
