You’re Not “Just Anxious”: How to Spot Medical Gaslighting When You Have CRPS

🧠 Intro: What Medical Gaslighting Is (And Why We Need to Talk About It)

Okay, so, what exactly is medical gaslighting?

This term describes the experience of being dismissed, doubted, or not taken seriously by healthcare professionals. It can affect anyone—but especially people from marginalized groups, like women, people of color, or those with invisible illnesses like CRPS.

Implicit bias plays a big role here. When a doctor perceives you through a negative lens and lacks knowledge about your condition, it becomes a perfect storm:

“It’s all in your head.”

But it’s not. And the consequences can be devastating. People are misdiagnosed—or not diagnosed at all—for years. It’s not dramatic to say this kind of dismissal can cost lives. And that’s why this conversation matters.

💬 Part 1: What It Looked Like for Me

Some of you may know that I was recently hospitalized. After that experience, we returned to my pain management doctor to see if there were any new alternatives to help me.

The first thing he asked me was,

“Have there been any recent stressors in your life?”

My teeth gritted. I knew exactly where this was going.

“No,” I replied.

He raised a brow.

“No?”

“No.”

About a minute later, he asked,

“Do you think you should try therapy?”

Now, don’t get me wrong—therapy can be a great tool. It’s helped me before. But this doctor already knew that. He’s known me since I was sixteen. He knew my home life. And yet… for years, he’s chalked my CRPS up to mental health and nothing more.

This level of dismissal didn’t just frustrate me—it hurt. I felt invisible. Unimportant. Like my pain could be tucked away and ignored. Like I could be tucked away and ignored.

🧠 Part 2: How Medical Gaslighting Harms

To be honest, my journey through the healthcare system has been traumatic. When you’re suffering and the people trained to help you don’t believe you, it creates deep emotional scars.

I’ve felt unheard. I’ve second-guessed myself. And I’ve been afraid to seek care because I didn’t want to be brushed off—again.

I’m not saying there aren’t amazing doctors out there. But I haven’t found the one for me yet. And in the meantime? I’ve had to learn how to advocate for myself.

✊ Part 3: What I’ve Learned to Do

• Bring someone with you to appointments for emotional support and a second set of ears.

• Keep a symptom journal so your pain story is documented—even when you’re too overwhelmed to explain.

• Ask for documentation and second opinions.

• Trust your body. You live in it. You know it better than anyone.

• Leave doctors who don’t listen. You deserve care, not condescension.

💛 Bonus: What I Wish Doctors Knew

“When you doubt my pain, you don’t just hurt my feelings—you hurt my healing.”
“You can’t treat what you refuse to acknowledge.”
“Compassion isn’t a luxury in medicine—it’s the baseline.”

📌 Closing Thoughts

If this has happened to you—you’re not crazy. You’re not dramatic. And you deserve better.

On the days when you wonder if anyone truly cares, know this:
I do. I’m rooting for you. I’m in your corner. You’re not alone.

And always remember:
You are not difficult.
You are worthy of care. 💖

With warmth & resilience,
🌹 Tala Röse