When I was in severe pain, I was repeatedly told by doctors: ‘This is just your worry’

This first person is written by column McKenzie Rebello, who lives in Toronto. For more information about the stories of the first person, see FAQ,

Growing up, I was a vigilant child and was quickly labeled by a school counselor as a “worry -wise”.

But it was not just worrisome. I had a constant terror attacks and when I was seven years old, anxiety disorder was detected.

Anxiety was a tangible feeling that I and I knew through it. It was just a part of who I was since childhood.

Therefore, many years later, when I sat in an emergency room as an adult with severe chest pain, I was surprised when my symptoms were described as symptoms of anxiety. I knew from many experiences what a panic attack was. This acute chest pain was foreign and unknown – not 100 percent worry.

I left the hospital that day, who felt confused and disappointed.

At the age of 19, I was not sure how to advocate for myself or if I was also allowed.

However, I know that I am not alone in feeling like this. Many studies have shown Women can dismiss the health care system and are regularly ignored in medical settings. Gender bias training In some medical schools, prejudice is provided to improve, whether conscious or not. But regardless of these beliefs, women are still common for symptoms Stress and anxiety Further with any medical exploration.

For me, there is an additional layer. I really have a diagnosis of anxiety.

While anxiety is a very serious condition in itself, it should not be used as a blanket explanation to dismiss other possible causes. A 2017 study From Canadian College of Health Leaders Found, “Poor physical care is another result of poor physical care stigma for individuals with mental illnesses. A living experience of a mental illness usually reports obstacles to meet their physical care needs, in which their symptoms are not taken seriously to take care of non-mental health concerns.”

In my experience, I found that it is easy to dismiss – is written as paranoid or hyperware or highly worried. The diagnosis of my anxiety became the goat of a sacrifice – the only thing that some people see about me, or at least felt the same. Even with good intentions, some doctors are not trained to see the previous few beliefs, and this can lead to harmful oversights.

Because I grew up in a family with many health issues, I always believed what a doctor told you, even though it looked wrong.

That is why when I went to ER, I went to the walk-in clinic, which was expected to achieve more clarity. But, for my frustration, I got the same adaptation to another doctor.

“Are you on Cipralex? How long?”

My anxiety medicine, I was something from the age of 16, felt to relieve some symptoms: chest pain, rashes, body pain and fatigue.

Nevertheless, I continued to check myself in a hospital four times in the next one and a half week. Responding to the same question about my health, diet and medical history, putting it in a gown, I felt unsafe, embarrassed and betrayal.

I will wait for hours, just will be sent back home without any response. Electrocardiogram and blood tests revealed nothing, and I was designed to feel that I am finishing and ruining the time of the medical system. This made me realize that my illness was my fault, and if I could somehow control my anxiety, it will stop all.

Within a week and a half, my health declined rapidly. Stress and continuous cycle of hospital visit spoiled my symptoms. My mother was also constantly researching my symptoms and took her findings to the doctors. He also received the same response: that it was my concern.

Sick from all the runners, she took me back to the emergency room on the same day, and this time did not take to reply. Mother demanded that I received an X-ray, clearly stated why I need one and list each symptom. Emergency physicians, who had recognized me since the previous evening, prescribed me for X-rays that night. This revealed a penny size blockage in my right lungs.

“It can be a tumor, blood clot or liquid. We are not sure,” the doctor said.

My initial feeling was relief.

I was irony that was really convinced to know that something was really “wrong” with me and it was not just my worry.

But this feeling quickly shocked and then reduced to anger. All this could be avoided and could be resolved weeks ago if only someone believed me soon and saw my anxiety medicines.

Within a few hours, I was given an MRI and diagnosed with pulmonary – swelling of thin tissue lining around the lungs and chest cavity. I was fixed a steroid shot, which immediately made me feel better.

Anger boiled inside me again. Was it simple? Could a single shot erase me from weeks of experience? I troubled me so much that I could not understand why doctors kept saying that this is my concern.

Eventually, I came to know Lupus.

Now that seven years have passed, I am surprised that if I did not diagnose anxiety, then how could things play differently. Will the doctor take my symptoms seriously from the beginning?

I can only speculate, but I believe that my mental health played a role in the minimalization of my pain and experience.

Despite my soft refutation with doctors, I needed a lot of courage to do, I left my appointments to feel that I had lost a debate. This was my mother who stood in medical space for me.

Without his perseverance, research and instinct, there is a good chance that my lupus symptoms must have worsened. I was very frightened by the medical system to advocate for myself, but he taught me how to speak.

As a young woman, I remember taking the spirit of this crime, as if I was getting very difficult with doctors. If you look back, the only thing I will change is not enough.

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