Growing up, I was known as a cautious child and was quickly labeled a “worrywart” by a school counselor. It wasn’t just worrying for me; I experienced frequent panic attacks and was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder at the age of seven. Anxiety was a familiar feeling that shaped my childhood.
Years later, as an adult, I found myself in the emergency room experiencing severe chest pain. To my surprise, my symptoms were attributed to anxiety, despite feeling unfamiliar and different from my usual panic attacks. Feeling confused and disheartened, I struggled to advocate for myself at 19.
Studies have shown that women often feel dismissed by the healthcare system and their symptoms are overlooked in medical settings. Despite efforts to address bias through gender bias training, women’s symptoms are still sometimes attributed solely to stress and anxiety without further investigation.
In my case, having a pre-existing anxiety diagnosis added an extra layer of complexity. While anxiety is a serious condition, it should not be used as a blanket explanation to dismiss other potential causes of symptoms. Stigmatization in healthcare can lead to inadequate physical care for individuals with mental illnesses.
I often felt dismissed and reduced to my anxiety diagnosis, which overshadowed other possible explanations for my symptoms. Some doctors, despite good intentions, struggled to see beyond preconceived notions, leading to harmful oversights in my care.
Frustrated by the lack of answers, my mother took charge and demanded more thorough investigations. This persistence led to the discovery of an obstruction in my lung, ultimately diagnosed as pleurisy. Reflecting on my experience, I wonder how differently things might have unfolded without the weight of my anxiety diagnosis influencing my care.
Looking back, I realize the importance of advocating for oneself in medical settings, a lesson my mother taught me through her unwavering support and determination. Despite feeling intimidated by the system, I now understand the significance of speaking up for my health and not being afraid to challenge medical assumptions.