The MS Boost: Medical gaslighting, time to stop being the good patient with Rachel Horne
In this episode of the MS Boost, we speak with Rachel Horne, a UK journalist and MS advocate about the phenomena of ‘medical gaslighting’, which is when health care professionals downplay, dismiss, minimize or ignore patient symptoms or blame their concerns on psychological factors rather than having a physical cause. Rachel discusses her own journey with MS and her personal struggle for proper treatment, as well as her own experience with medical gaslighting. Rachel provides tips for self-advocacy and the potential signs of medical gaslighting. We also cover the challenges of diagnosing and treating MS, the systemic issue of gender bias in healthcare, and potential ways forward.
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Show Notes
Check out the transcript here.
Medical Gaslighting: Multiple Sclerosis’ Dirty Little Secret? Authored by Rachel Horne
With thanks to Rachel Horne.
Rachel Horne is a journalist and MS advocate. Rachel was diagnosed with MS in 2009, age 43. She has written extensively about the disease and has co-authored a number of papers published in The BMJ, Neurology, Nature Reviews Neurology and other prestigious journals. Rachel has also appeared on BBC’s Radio Four to talk about living with MS. In 2022, she set up the Rachel Horne Prize for Women's Research in MS – an international, annual award which recognizes a woman scientist for their outstanding contribution to women’s health-related research in MS. Rachel is an Honorary Research Fellow at Queen Mary University, London and has a strong interest in promoting gender-equality and diversity in the MS community. She is on social media: @rachelhorne19.
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MS Plus does not recommend any specific treatment for people living with MS. Decisions about any treatments, taking into consideration the potential benefits and side effects for each individual’s circumstances, should be made in careful consultation with the person’s neurologist or health care professional.