One of the most frustrating things people can encounter in the doctor’s office is when the physician doesn’t believe them. They come in with certain concerns, seeking medical solutions. But the doctor ignores them, doesn’t take them seriously, or even implies that they may be lying or making it up.
This is often an issue for those who are dealing with chronic pain and other conditions that may have invisible symptoms. If the doctor can’t figure out what’s causing those symptoms, and if the patient looks to be in perfect health, then the doctor may not believe them. This can be very problematic for a patient who knows that their condition is real and feels like the doctor is preventing them from finding a solution.
What should you do?
If you’re in this position, one of the best things to do is simply to get a second opinion. You may want to look for a new primary care physician entirely. You may simply want to tell your doctor that you’d like to speak with a specialist.
Doing this can help you in multiple ways. If you ask your doctor for a specialist, there is certainly the chance that the specialist will be more familiar with your condition and will figure out what’s causing the symptoms. But it also signifies to your doctor that you aren’t making this up and that you’re being honest. The doctor may still not be able to make an accurate diagnosis if they don’t know what’s happening, but this can get them to take you more seriously.
Unfortunately, some doctors will misdiagnose conditions or fail to provide the proper care. If this happens to you, be sure you know what legal options you have.