“You might benefit from seeing a Rheumatologist…” she wrote.
At first glance, this might seem like a harmless sentence. But here’s the thing — it’s a perfect example of the subtle, often unnoticed, minimization that pervades the medical field.
It had been over 8 years since my symptoms first began, 18 months since my condition spiralled into severe illness. Yet, despite mounting evidence, I was repeatedly told it was “all a coincidence” and that I was simply “anxious.”
Now, after all this time, this sentence — “You might benefit” — should have been a clear signal of concern, but instead, it was a minimization. This wasn’t a suggestion; it was a calculated or maybe habitual downplaying the severity of my condition and their role in dismissing it for so long. By this point, I had lost my business, my ability to walk, and the function of both thumbs — I was barely able to function. Yet, they had made no effort to diagnose me properly. Instead, they had been busy guessing and labelling me as anxious.
This consultant, now faced with undeniable evidence from blood tests, chose not to address the gravity of the situation. Instead of stating facts — “your blood tests suggest X, so I’m referring you to Rheumatology” — she chose to reframe the issue. This wasn’t just a referral; it was an effort to minimise the mistake, to invalidate my suffering, both mental and physical.
The language doctors use carries enormous weight. We’re taught to trust their words, to internalize them, and to believe in their authority. But the manipulation of language — subtle, almost imperceptible — is an insidious tool. Doctors have the power to gaslight illness and downplay symptoms, and when they are confronted with their mistakes, they use this same language to avoid accountability and silence patients’ voices.
This is not just a matter of individual error or miscommunication. It’s a systemic issue, a reflection of institutional narcissism. The system’s priority is maintaining control, not confronting its failings. It protects itself at the expense of the people it is meant to serve.
Language like this doesn’t just diminish reality; it’s a mechanism of control, ensuring the status quo remains intact and that dissent is silenced before it even begins. This isn’t just about individual miscommunication — it’s about a culture that silences, diminishes, and invalidates, leaving patients voiceless and powerless.
Have you experienced this?
Did you realise at the time?
Have you just realised that your feelings of invalidation, feelings that are sometimes labelled ‘over sensitivity’ are for justified. That subtle language has been used, and you are having a normal response to it…
Comment or contact me if you’ve got something to share.