When seeking medical care, patients expect to be heard, understood, and treated with respect. However, some individuals may experience a phenomenon known as medical gaslighting, where healthcare ...

Melissa Geraghty, PsyD, a clinical health psychologist at the US Department of Defense, developed unexplained episodes of lower body paralysis at the age of 34. “I was told [by healthcare ...

Patients whose symptoms are dismissed by healthcare providers experience serious psychological harm, including self-doubt, shame, and even suicidal thoughts. Medical invalidation creates a dangerous ...

In 2025, the Emergency Care Research Institute (ECRI) produced a ranked list of 10 threats to patient care. At the top of the list was “Dismissing patient, family, and caregiver concerns.” In a survey ...