It seems as if more and more people have a healthy distrust of doctors, and for good reason – way too many of us spent far too long trusting doctors who turned out to be jerks in one way or another.
Like these 16 people, who surely had to take a few minutes to recover after they heard these shocking comments.
16. Definitely weird.
Moved and went to a new gyn that several women raved about. I expressed concern over low sex drive (especially since I was only 25). The next thing I know she is giving speeches and pamphlets and trying to give me info on women’s shelters.
I was so confused. She just jumped to the conclusion I must be a battered woman. No matter what I said, she was convinced I was being abused. I tried to reassure her no, husband was definetly NOT the problem and he was actually quite good in bed and extremely attentive to my needs. It was clearly a physical problem.
She just would not hear or even after I went into very vulgar and specific details to explain why I thought it was a physical problem. Never went back. She even called several times to “check” on me.
I get that some women may need this, but I mean there was literally no red flags, quite the opposite. It was weird.
15. He was pretty sure.
A gentleman I worked with showed up to work one day looking extremely sick. He was incredibly feverish, had muscle and joint aches, very lethargic and was looking very jaundiced.
we insisted that he go to the doctor, as he looks like he is on deaths door. He told us that he had been to 2 separate doctors and the ER, letting them know that he has Malaria, and can they please give him some anti malarials. Both doctors and the ER insisted that it “was impossible to have malaria, as Australia doesn’t have malaria”, and that he probably just had the flu, or some other viral infection. And they are correct. We don’t have malaria here.
But, what they failed to grasp was that this gentleman was an expat who worked in Africa for a number of years, and has had malaria 5 times already. So not only is he an expert in what malaria “feels” like, but he is also at risk of developing malaria again, even if he hasn’t been to Africa in a few years.
He ended up having to go back to the ER, and basically force them to run a test for Malaria, after which they were like “oh wow, you do have malaria.” And he was like “no shit, i told you that 2 days ago”.
14. That makes me cringe.
While teaching abroad in Vietnam I was struggling with depression. The doc diagnosed me with homesickness and prescribed a box of 160 hydrocodone to take “when I feel sad”.
I was 21 and this was 2007, way before pill use was talked about mainstream. Subsequent boxes were $12 each at a walk up pharmacy, no script needed. I became addicted for 6 years.
13. Far out.
I had a growth on my scalp a few years ago and went to see a skin cancer specialist who said it was a melanoma and I was going to need most of my scalp removed.
Without even having a biopsy.
He starts telling me to prepare myself for this surgery that will disfigure me. I was about 19 at the time with long hair. He starts saying I’ll need to wear a wig and my hair may not grow back and the skin above my eyes will need to be removed.
I was petrified. Went home in tears and absolutely petrified.
Then my dad took me to his doctor, who took a biopsy.
It was just a random skin growth and she cut it off then and there.
Far out.
12. Well that’s awkward.
My OBGYN sent my STD test results in the mail to my dad and stepmom, who I do not get along with, even though Ive never lived with them and never gave the doctor their address. My stepmom of course opened and read the results.
Fortunately I did not have an STD, but she made all kinds of assumptions about why I would need to take that test. Thanks doc.
11. You’re just a wuss.
I had smashed my face on my steering wheel during a bad car accident and was experiencing intense pain. I teared up when he put the scope in my nose and was told I obviously have psychological problems and if I went on medication it might not help my pain, but I wouldn’t care as much.
Finally found a good doctor and surgery removed the chunk of nose bone that was stabbing into a nerve in my face.
10. I don’t know which is worse.
There is nothing wrong with you, your problem is right here (as he points to his head). Then proceeds to recommend a religious radio station.
I only timidly asked about some unexplained bruises appearing on the tops of my thighs.
Another doctor asked me out when removing a mole.
9. Medical gaslighting.
Years ago, one of the sexual health nurses at my work told me she just saw a woman who very clearly had a scabies infestation around her genitals. She said the treatment was simple and that a cream was applied with almost instant relief.
She said what upset her about that patient was that almost a year earlier she’d been to a doctor about the infestation, the doctor didn’t even inspect her and just prescribed her antidepressants.
I was horrified and still am over 7 years later. So much medical gaslighting
8. Shocking and hurtful.
Not a doctor, but a nurse. I was miscarrying, dying, and had to have an emergency D&C. I was struggling to get ready to go to the OR because I was in so much pain and couldn’t stop crying and hyperventilating. I think I was having an anxiety attack. Idk.
She said “oh stop it, it’s not like you can’t get pregnant again!”
7. Well that’s objectively awful.
Not one, but two doctors to my dad- “you’re too young to have prostate cancer, no need for a biopsy, it’s just a bladder problem”
He died 15 months later from an aggressive prostate cancer that spread to create tumors all over his body.
6. Way too common.
I’m so sorry. I had one tell me “Stop being so dramatic. There’s no way you’re in that much pain.”
5. I would have punched him.
Mental health doctor told my daughter, “You’re too pretty to be depressed.”
After the appointment, on the ride home, she said she felt stupid. She needed to be heard and her concerns validated about the depression she was experiencing. Instead, she said she felt like she was wasting everyone’s time because the doctor made her feel as though she really had no reason to be depressed.
Regardless of intentions, the effect of the doctor’s statement was to push her further into her depression. She felt like not even a professional would admit she needed help.
Fortunately, we found another doctor who has worked with my daughter and helped her out of that dark period of her life. She tells me now that she actually feels pretty because she feels so much better in the inside.
4. Those things are not related.
Went to go get tested for Celiac. Doctor runs the blood test and it comes back that I have it. She asked if I was sexually active and I said no. She read my results.
Basically told me I have celiac but all my celiac symptoms were cause I was lying about my activity and they were all in my head. Told me to see the obgyn and go to group therapy.
Not that bad but it gives my new doctors a laugh when I tell them.
3. What on earth is wrong with him?
Not a doctor, but a dentist. When I was like 13 or 14 he commented on my lack of gag reflex, telling me that I’m going to be “very popular with the boys.”
It took me a few years to realize what he meant by that.
2. He’s lucky Mom didn’t do worse.
I was the opposite. My dentist said, “If you always gag like that, you’re never going to find a good husband!”
I didn’t understand why my mom yanked me out of the dentist’s chair, but I’m proud of her for that. I think I was 6 or 7 years old.
1. That is not a thing.
Mentioned that my sex drive was abnormally low to my gyno, and she said my husband just needed to be more forceful when initiating and I’d get into it. Immediately switched doctors and never looked back!
I cannot even, y’all. These are supposed to be trusted professionals!
What’s the most out of line thing you’ve heard in a doctor’s office? Tell us about it in the comments!
