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53 Worst Things Medical Professionals Have Ever Said To Their Patients
Interview With Expert
There are a lot of wonderful doctors who genuinely care, but the stress they face every day, the bureaucracy and heavy workload, means that mistakes can happen.
All of this can lead doctors to say absurd, and sometimes, shocking things — like “it’s all in your head” or “you just need to lose some weight.”
It can even mean delayed or wrong diagnoses.
Netizens have shared the worst, the funniest, and absolutely ridiculous things they’ve heard their doctors tell them.
From a doctor misdiagnosing a birth defect as “anxiety” to a mistaken tumor scare, these mix-ups remind us that medicine is not so straight-forward.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
“You just need to work harder to lose that weight”
I had a grapefruit sized uterine tumor.
“The best thing for your joints is for you to lose weight”
I have RA.
Basically if you are a fat lady, be prepared to have any and all symptoms dismissed as a weight problem.
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#2
I was newly in remission from blood cancer and realized my face and throat were swelling. I could even feel the pressure in my eyes. I went to the ER was told it was just anxiety, went another week and called to see my primary Dr but he was on vacation so I had to see another Dr in the same bldg. I tell him what’s going on, he tells me “you just have a big neck, it’s ok I have a big neck too”.
Well now I feel like an idiot so I don’t push and just leave, another week and it’s getting worse. In desperation I call my Oncologist who really wasn’t involved at this point since I was in remission but no one else would listen to me and I knew he would.
I go see him and he immediately has me admitted to ER, the next morning I was diagnosed with blood clots on my jugular vein and my vena cava.
Undercover 50 minutes ago
My bf had a similar condition (tumor compressed the vena cava) and it was all "an allergy" or simply "we don't have a clue, but you seem young and healthy". After an Odyssee and simple begging everywhere one doc took a look and admitted him finally to hospital. Stage 4 cancerr. (he survived by the thread of a hair)
#3
Not horrible but funny... regarding my husband's very narrow gag reflex:
"I'm sorry. You'll never make it as a gay man.".
Medical profession is considered to be one of the most trustworthy in the world, but even healthcare workers face challenges.
“Modern medicine is deeply uncomfortable with uncertainty. When a patient’s symptoms don’t follow a tidy textbook narrative, some doctors respond by shutting the conversation down instead of leaning in,” Dr Sarah Fraser, a general practitioner in Nova Scotia, Canada, tells Bored Panda.
“Add rushed appointments, burnout, and rigid hierarchies, and dismissal becomes a coping mechanism,” she adds.
#4
My sister was in heart failure and taking steroids that caused her to put on weight and have a bloated/puffy appearance.
She was already extremely body conscious so this caused her to stop eating which, in her condition, was non-optional.
Her doctor booked her a consult with a nutritionist. I guess the nutritionist didn’t look at her patient notes as to why we were there.
We show up. My sister’s in shorts. The nutritionist says “Wow. Those shorts are very short. Brave, at your size.”
If the nutritionist had been a man I would’ve probably knocked him unconscious.
The term medical gaslighting has become more popular in recent years after people started sharing their stories online about how doctors minimized or ignored their symptoms.
"Medical gaslighting is when a patient’s lived experience is minimised to protect the clinician’s sense of control. The thing is, I think that often, it's not even a conscious process,” says Dr Fraser.
She says it’s common for patients to hear things like “it’s just anxiety,” “your tests are normal,” or “you’re focusing on it too much.”
#7
1200 calories is clearly not working. Eat 500 per day and I guarantee it will come off.
#9
As a 14 year old, a doctor coldly and bluntly said “You will be blind by 18.” Just out of the blue. Didn’t talk to my parents first to discuss how to break the news to me. Didn’t care how I was going to react. Just… you’re going to be blind.
I’m in my forties now. I can still see.
Medical gaslighting makes you feel like you can’t trust your own body.
“I see this pattern repeatedly in general practice, particularly among patients with chronic, complex, or invisible conditions. Some that come to mind are fibromyalgia, concussions, long COVID or endometriosis,” says Dr Fraser.
#10
That I was faking pain from my ovary cyst to get surgery. Removed my pain medication because of that. Apologized to me after surgery, because “I must have low-balled my actual pain”.
#11
There’s too many to choose honestly 😅
This definitely isn’t the worst, but it was the first, so most memorable.
I went to the ER because I had a sudden onset of severe nausea and abdominal pain that hadn’t subsided in two weeks. I was 13F curled up in the fetal position with my entire body literally quivering from how much pain I was in.
After waiting hours the ER doctor came in. Looked at me. Didn’t exam me. Called me a “nervous ninny” and said I just had anxiety. Before even asking any questions.
We eventually found out I had an intestinal birth defect that has gone undiagnosed. It had caused multiple partial obstructions. Blood flow to my intestine was also compromised so by the time I had surgery my intestinal lining was sloughing off and I was pooping out fleshy chunks.
So yeah. Clearly I was just being over dramatic.
#12
Not to me but to my sister “you’re just a teenager, you’re just feeling growing pains”. She had a tumor in her spine.
Edit: She survived. She’s almost 40 now, totally healthy and hasn’t had a reoccurrence since she was in her 20s.
It can really change how you feel about yourself and your body if a doctor dismisses your concerns, and it can also delay diagnosis.
“Many begin to second-guess their pain, apologise for taking up space, or stop seeking care altogether. I’ve had patients tell me the most damaging part wasn’t the illness itself, but being made to feel dramatic, difficult, or delusional for asking for help,” Dr Fraser notes.
She says it makes patients not want to access the healthcare system anymore due to repeated trauma from medical gaslighting.
“This delays care and getting a diagnosis even more, which is so detrimental to patient health.”
#13
Not to me, but my dad.
"You have a condition."
"What is it called?"
"What do you want it to be called?"
Turns out that his exposure to agent orange in Vietnam caused him to develop something akin to MS in his 60s. Before then, no doctor had seen it before, but more and more Vietnam vets are showing it these days.
#14
Went to an OB because they have a really nice birthing center. Had my first ultra sound and sat down to talk to the midwife np. She asked why I chose their clinic and I explained how excited I was for the natural birthing facilities and she bluntly says “well you won’t be using that. There’s no heartbeat.” No change in tone, almost like we were talking about traffic or the weather. Then she told me it was ok to cry but I was in shock at how she’d just delivered horrible news like that. This was during Covid as well so I didn’t get to have anyone else in there with me.
#15
After I described my severe chronic pain, the specialist looked at my chart, sighed, and said, "Well, you're getting older. This is just what happens." It was the most dismissive and professionally negligent sentence I've ever heard. It took two more years to find a doctor who listened and diagnosed a treatable condition.
Studies show that gender, race, and age also affect how patients are treated or how frequently their symptoms are dismissed.
Dr Fraser says women’s symptoms are still more likely to be minimized or framed as psychological rather than physical.
"Medicine has not fully confronted its sexist history, where women were labelled emotional, unreliable, or ‘hysterical,’" she explains.
"These biases compound even further for queer, trans and gender-diverse people, people of colour, and those with disabilities. This isn’t about a few bad doctors — it’s about a healthcare system that was never designed to listen equally," she adds.
#16
I went to my primary care doctor when my mental health was spiraling out of control, and I was beginning to feels urges to end things. He derailed the appointment by revolving it around my weight, told me to lose a few pounds and to come back later. He reluctantly sent out a referral to a psychiatrist for me after my condition landed me in the hospital with injuries that don't bear mentioning here.
I no longer see that doctor.
#17
Laughed in my face when I was 16 asking for a referral to a psychologist because I was severely depressed and said "You think you're depressed? You know nothing about life." I cried so much in front of her out of embarrassment but managed to get that referral. I'm glad I did because I really wanted to end things for myself, that was my last cry for help. Had been struggling since I was aware of myself. That moment was 10 years ago, I'm now in bed with the sweetest 9 month old ever. ❤️.
#18
Having had breast cancer before the current medical philosophy to do double mastectomies on everyone, when I got breast cancer a 2nd time 15 years later, the surgeon walked into the room, grabbed my bare breast in one of his hands and said to me with his face very close to mine "why do you still have these"?
If your doctor refuses to take you seriously, experts suggest keeping detailed records of your symptoms, reports and medications.
“Patients shouldn’t have to work this hard to be believed, but preparation can help,” says Dr Fraser.
Writing symptoms down, explaining how they affect daily life, and asking clear, direct questions can shift the dynamic, she adds.
“If something doesn’t sit right, trust that instinct. Good medicine is collaborative, and seeking a second opinion isn’t a failure — it’s an act of self-respect. Patients can also bring a support person with them or ask if they can record the conversation,” she advices.
#19
My therapist. We have a pretty good, comfortable relationship and she knows my sense of humor. Now, i started seeing her after I was in this toxic relationship, and a lot of our sessions had to do with my ex girlfriend. At the end of our session, I ask what my therapist is up to this weekend? She mentions she is going to hang with some of her girl friends. I joke, any of them single? She says, they are not your type. I say, how come? And she says, they are too stable.
Its one of the funniest things I've ever heard. She apologized next session, but no apology needed. I loved it.
#20
Told me that my problem was i needed to lose weight because he could see stretch marks on my thighs.
I came in for pelvic pain, fever, and I was 16 and weighed 105 pounds.
He was going to do a physical exam but stopped because he saw stretch marks and decided weight was my problem.
I was in the ER the next day for infection in my uterus that required a 2 week hospital stay and IV antibiotics.
#21
About my 3yo, whose appointment it was: "he'll never be an athlete." Dr was a developmental pediatrician who we were seeing for my son's mild cerebral palsy. My son was sitting right there.
Ftr, he is 18 now and he is a cyclist and a hiker. He also skateboards, does a little rock-climbing, has done a via ferrata course, kayaks, and has gone caving. Growing up he did gymnastics, parkour, 5 years of special needs AYSO, cross country, and he passed the swimming unit at school. So f**k you very much, Dr.
Huddo's sister 15 minutes ago
Sounds like a friend of mine. Also had CP and was told he would never walk, but with therapy and a walking frame, he was walking by 2.5. He has done marathons, snowboarding, kayaking etc.
A HealthCentral survey in the US found that over 94% of participants felt their doctors have ignored or dismissed their symptoms.
In the same survey, more than 61% said their doctors blamed them for their symptoms or made them feel like they were crazy.
Experts say the best way is to switch to a different provider to get a second or even third opinion, if you feel ignored by your primary doctor.
#23
If I'd known you were going to be such a baby about it, I would have given you something for the pain. It doesn't hurt that much. From a male doctor after he spent 5 minutes scraping my cervix and uterus with a sharp scalpel for biopsies.
Nadine Debard 16 minutes ago
Cervix is one of the most painful place to cut in. Like somebody is trying to pull your uterus out.
#24
Your breasts are uneven. Have you ever considered breast augmentation? I was 22. The same appointment he told me I was “moley”.
#25
First me then a few days later my mom: "It sounds like a bad cold, just take some tylenol for the discomfort and you'll be fine." He didn't listen to our lungs or take an x-ray.
Turns out it was Legionnaire's disease. I managed to soldier through it on my own sleeping in a recliner so I could breathe, but mom spent a month in the hospital and nearly died. She has permanent lung damage from the incident.
Needless to say we both dumped that doctor after that. Turns out he had a bad reputation for discounting women's complaints because he felt we tend to exaggerate our symptoms.
#27
"You don't need to get back on anti-depressants, you need a good relapse to get yourself back in the program!"
A psychiatrist I stopped going to. I did get back on anti-depressants and they helped in ways the program never could.
#28
When i was a healthy teenager and a pediatrician i saw for the first time told me that i was obese and should join her obesity support group. she then went on to talk about what a huge thyroid i had and called in her assistant to feel my thyroid. assistant seemed confused.
not a very helpful encounter for a teenager ngl.
#29
My pediatric neurologist told me at age 16 that for such a pretty girl I have ugly feet but if I cover them up I might be able to find a boyfriend. I had just come down with GBS and was trying to recover, so he was giving me his suggestions after he asked me what I planned on doing at the beach. Many years later I ran into him with my husband who asked him if he remembered what he said about me finding a boyfriend! He was in shock!
#30
I had a car accident and I severely cut the palm of my hand. I got stitches, and my skin turned black. It was terrible to look at.
When I went for my check-up, the doctor said, ‘That’s how it’s going to look forever. Don’t expect any improvement.’ I went home crying.
My dad heard me, so we called several doctors and dermatologists and got a cream. Within one month, it was completely healed with no discoloration.
The cream is called Scar Fix, in case anyone has a scar.
#31
Apparently my very obvious hip malformation was anxiety, hormones, or excess weight (I’m a uk size 8)
Yes I am a gal, how did you know?!
No apology or acknowledgment of medical misogyny.
#32
Accused me of watching too much TikTok after requesting hormone panels. Switched doctors and was diagnosed with PCOS.
#33
He said, "I don't have time to talk to you about this" (meaning the issue for which I had scheduled the appointment) - He said this AFTER standing outside of the room for over 15 minutes talking football with another patient.
It was a larger practice so I stopped at the desk and got the information to file a complaint. As soon as I got home I called my insurance and changed my PCM, as well as filing a complaint about the doctor with them.
#34
I’m currently pregnant and in my third trimester. In my first trimester I injured my back and got a herniated disc to the point I couldn’t get out of bed or use the bathroom. I called every doctor I could think of to try and get some sort of relief or help that would be safe for the baby, which of course wasn’t possible because they’re always too afraid to prescribe anything that early. One doctor finally told me “if you don’t want to k**l your baby then you need to learn to suck it up. Try some deep breathing and herbal tea.”.
#36
Got told I had a “bad uterus” by my OB in college. That was literally his diagnosis based on one pelvic exam and listening to my symptoms. 10 years later I learned that is not a real thing.
#37
I have issues with anorexia and bulimia and at one point I finally was happy enough with my partners help that I was able to let go of it and gain weight and then my doctor said “you should try intermittent fasting to get your weight down” when my weight ticked one point into the overweight BMI category.
It ended up about as well as you’d think
Also I used to have a prescription for Xanax for panic attacks that I refilled once every like 3 years and when I asked the doctor who replaced my old provider for a refill she said she didn’t believe in prescribing anxiety medications and that I should exercise more (one of my bulemia manifestations was 3 hours of exercise a day at the time lmfao).
#38
I’m a type 1 diabetic. When I was pregnant and toured the hospital to pre register for my delivery, the nurse kept calling me a “bad mommy” for having diabetes. (My a1c was in the 5s and baby weighed 7.5 lbs. I worked really hard at it). F**k her, my husband complained and it went to the top administrators. Pretty sure she got in some hot water over her judgmental attitude.
#39
This was a long time ago, but I broke out in severe hives. A male doctor suggested it was female hysteria from PMS. I was livid! It was an allergic reaction to hair color as it turned out.
#40
You’re overreacting, this is normal and you’re just being a hysterical first time mom. My baby was stillborn 3 days later. .
#41
While receiving an epidural, the anesthesiologist was having a hard time and taking forever. I asked nicely if she was almost done and she snapped back at me "women have babies everyday without an epidural.".
#42
A psychiatrist once took a phone call in the MIDDLE of our session and then proceeded to have an argument with a patient over the phone. After it was over when she hung up she asked me if I thought she was right. A few sessions later she told me my hair looks like french fries. And I didn't see her after that.
#43
“I don’t believe in ADHD, but tell me why you think you have it anyway.”
Followed by
“Sounds like you have ‘smart kid syndrome’ turned into ‘tired mom syndrome.’”
At least he agreed to give me a referral to someone else who knew w*f they were doing.
#44
Had a CT scan and the tech caught on the very edge of my bladder a wierd spot. He shifted the machine and found a 14cm malignant tumor on my ovary. (14 cm is considered huge.) When he saw it I heard him breathe in and mutter " Oh My".
I instantly realized that something was bad. My doctor of 25 years had left a message to call him before I even made it home.
Shockingly, the cancer was almost all encapsulated, so I had surgery, 4 rounds of chemo and took cytoxin for a year. Im 15 years cancer free.
#45
After being in an accident where a vehicle hit me as a pedestrian, the ER doctor said, “well, you walked here so you’re fine” and tried to discharge me. The NP turned around after taking my vitals and went “OP was hit by a car. This is fight or flight syndrome” and then I went unconscious. I apparently made it to the ER before my lung collapsed and then discovered all the other injuries I didn’t know I had thanks to adrenaline.
#46
He told me if i didn't get an abdominal cat scan (several thousand dollars cash pay) he wouldn't treat me. issue resolved by nurse practitioner for $23 including the cost of the office visit.
#47
Back in 1981 I was suffering from panic attacks really bad and he told me get my life in order and I’d feel much better.
#49
I was pregnant with my daughter and the first test they gave me was negative and I told them that I felt like I was pregnant.. the doctor didn't necessarily say anything to me. It was what she did that really spoke to me... I went in 2 weeks later and said I really think that I'm pregnant and I can't stop throwing up and I don't know what to do... She gave me a urine test and I saw one of the psych nurses come in. I know who she is because I know her. Long story short the office walls are very thin and I could hear the doctor say that I need an evaluation because they think something is wrong with me mentally... They were going to have her come into the room and evaluate me... Well lo and behold after they got the test results they found out I really was pregnant and I had hypersense Gavin or however you spell it... And that was the day when I looked at her in the face and said that I heard her through the wall and I'm very upset that she didn't take me seriously and decided to work against me instead of help me get to the bottom of what was going on and I had to wait two extra weeks just to be told that I was pregnant... I then changed my doctors and left a very nice review for her..... Guess who's not a doctor anymore at that facility? Yep you guessed it because I wasn't the only one that she was doing that to.....
Mother of Giants 1 hour ago
Hyperemesis gravidarum.... i had it all 9 months with both of mine. And it's the reason i stopped at 2 kids.
#50
"Though we can't say for certain, it's highly unlikely that you will ever regain feeling below your waist."
They sure were right!
#51
"This woman should have been admitted to the ER 2 weeks ago, it's nothing short of a miracle she's even alive right now"
What the intake guy said to my family, about my mother, who actually was in fact in the ER/Hospital for the past few weeks, but they let her go because she was in "stable condition" and because she waited for all of us to be gone for the day.
Granted, he wasn't wrong, she was literally a skeleton by the time she died because she refused to eat or drink anything for about 2 months. Barely ate half a plate of food no matter what you offered her.
#53
In the middle of labour and I say to my baby daddy ' I hope we can make it home in time to watch Walking Dead'
Doesn't this Dr pull his arm out of me and say ' I'll show you The Walking Dead' while wiggling his blood-to-the-elbow covered arm in the air.
Man mos def knew his audience tho.
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