Medically Misunderstood

Have you ever walked into a doctor’s office hopeful that you will receive the help you need, only to leave an hour later feeling rushed, misunderstood, and generally awful?

This is a common experience for many people with narcolepsy.

Why some doctors may dismiss our needs

Even though it is important for doctors to take the time to listen and understand their patients' unique needs, it doesn’t always happen. And this can be especially difficult to find as a person with narcolepsy, since many doctors can be undereducated about our condition.

Every narcolepsy patient is different. We each have our own set of symptoms, concerns, and health history. By actively listening and seeking to understand their patients, doctors can gather important information that may not be evident in medical tests or examinations alone. This overall increased understanding allows doctors to make more accurate diagnoses and develop tailored treatment plans that address the specific needs of each patient.

Feeling understood by doctors is important

Feeling understood by your doctor is SO important… for many reasons!

First, it helps to build a strong doctor-patient relationship based on trust and mutual respect. When you feel understood, you may be more likely to feel comfortable discussing your medical concerns and symptoms openly. As mentioned before, this can help a doctor find an accurate diagnosis and potentially develop an effective treatment plan. This is especially important for people with narcolepsy, who can YEARS to get access to diagnosis and treatment for their debilitating symptoms.

Second, feeling understood by your doctor can improve your overall healthcare experience. When your doctor takes the time to listen and understand your unique needs, it can show that they value your perspective and are committed to providing personalized care. This can lead to increased patient satisfaction and better communication, and potentially even better health outcomes. A person may be less likely to experience medical anxiety and avoid doctor appointments when they feel comfortable there, for instance.

On that note, I think feeling understood by your doctor can promote emotional well-being. When your doctor empathizes with your concerns and validates your experiences, it can provide a sense of comfort and support. This is very empowering for those of us with narcolepsy, who may feel like we don’t have much power over our symptoms and lives in general.

What's your experience?

So, feeling understood by your doctor is crucial.

Doctors who actively listen to their patients can reduce medical misunderstandings, address patients' questions or uncertainties, and ensure that medical information is conveyed in a way that patients can understand. I think this promotes patient education and empowerment, enabling patients to actively participate in their own healthcare decisions.

When doctors consider the unique needs of patients, they can prescribe personalized care. This is especially important for patients with narcolepsy who live with a lifelong condition that often requires tweaking of treatment as time passes and life circumstances change.

What about you? Have you ever felt misunderstood by your doctor? And have you ever felt that your narcolepsy was thoroughly understood? How did the two experiences differ?