Gaslighting in Medicine: A Legitimate Form of Medical Trauma

This article briefly explores medical gaslighting as a type of medical trauma, asserting that when healthcare professionals dismiss or downplay a patient's symptoms, it can lead to significant psychological harm. I’ve previously explored the topic in more depth [here], and provided a shorter overview [here].

Medical gaslighting is an increasingly recognized phenomenon that describes the dismissal, minimization, or misattribution of a patient’s symptoms, concerns, or lived experiences by healthcare professionals. It often manifests when a patient is told their symptoms are “all in their head,” exaggerated, or merely the result of stress, despite compelling evidence or clear signs of distress. Rather than validating the patient’s experience and investigating further, providers may prematurely attribute physical symptoms to psychological causes or downplay their severity. Over time, this pattern of invalidation can erode a patient’s confidence in their own perceptions, delay diagnosis and treatment, and foster self-doubt or internalized blame. The emotional and psychological consequences of medical gaslighting can be profound, compounding the situation with new layers of harm and mistrust within the healthcare system.

Trauma refers to the emotional and psychological response to an event or series of events that overwhelm an individual’s ability to cope, leaving them feeling helpless, fearful, or unsafe. It is not defined solely by the event itself, but by the impact it has on a person’s sense of self, safety, and control. Medical gaslighting fits this definition. It can leave individuals feeling powerless and silenced, especially when they are already in a vulnerable state due to pain, illness, or fear. The trauma is compounded when patients internalize the belief that they are overreacting or mentally unstable, which can erode self-worth and exacerbate distress. Over time, this can result in symptoms of post-traumatic stress, such as anxiety around medical settings, hypervigilance, dissociation, and avoidance of needed care.

While medical gaslighting can impact anyone, certain groups are disproportionately affected. Women, people of colour, individuals with chronic or rare illnesses (particularly conditions that are not well understood), and those with mental health conditions often report feeling dismissed or not taken seriously. This can stem from implicit bias and systemic inequalities within the healthcare system. For example, a woman reporting chronic pain may be labeled as emotional or anxious rather than being given appropriate diagnostic tests. A person of colour expressing symptoms might be stereotyped or have their pain underestimated. The cumulative effect of these experiences is not just frustration - it is traumatic invalidation.

Furthermore, medical gaslighting often occurs in moments of crisis; when someone seeks help and is met instead with doubt or blame. This betrayal of trust is especially harmful because it violates the expectation that medical providers are safe, trustworthy, and there to help. Patients may leave such encounters not only untreated but with a fractured relationship to the medical system, making it less likely they will seek help in the future. This avoidance can have serious consequences for long-term health outcomes and further entrench cycles of trauma.

Recognizing medical gaslighting as a form of trauma is crucial for creating a more compassionate and fair healthcare system. Trauma-informed care requires providers to listen openly, validate patients’ concerns, and understand the psychological harm that can arise from dismissive or minimizing interactions. Healing from this kind of trauma often involves reclaiming one’s voice, finding supportive providers, and sometimes working with trauma informed mental health professionals to rebuild trust in oneself and in medical care.

In short, medical gaslighting is not a minor communication issue - it is a violation that can leave lasting emotional scars. Recognizing it as a form of trauma is important because it validates the profound psychological impact that occurs when patients are dismissed, disbelieved, or blamed for their symptoms. Acknowledging it as trauma not only legitimizes patients’ experiences but also opens the door to appropriate support and systemic change within medical care. Indeed, naming it as medical trauma is a vital step toward accountability, awareness, and ultimately, healing.

If this is something you’ve been affected by, please leave a comment below. If there’s something important you’d like to add, please do so. I'd love to hear from you.

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Dr. Ingela Thuné-Boyle is a licensed Practitioner Health Psychologist and a Doctor in Behavioural Medicine who specializes in stress and loss, especially in improving the quality of life of people struggling with long-term health problems, chronic pain and trauma. She runs a private online (telehealth) practice at www.ingelathuneboyle.com.

Please note: Advice given in this blog is not meant to take the place of therapy or any other professional advice. The opinions and views offered by the author is not intended to treat or diagnose, nor is it intended to replace the treatment and care that you may be receiving from a licensed physician or mental health provider. The author is not responsible for the outcome or results following their information and advice on this blog.