Doctors failed to spot my hidden condition for so long I was left permanently disabled
A woman named Daneka Etchells shares her experience of medical gaslighting after doctors failed to diagnose her endometriosis for years, leading to permanent disability. She is now using her story to advocate for better patient care and awareness through a stage production.
Why it matters
The story highlights the systemic issue of medical gaslighting, particularly regarding women's health, and the long-term consequences of delayed diagnosis.
Image source, Daneka Etchells By Emma Tracey and Beth Rose , Disability affairs reporters Published 8 minutes ago When Daneka Etchells was 12, her period arrived - and she immediately knew something wasn't right.
Unlike many of her friends, hers were extremely heavy and she experienced excruciating pain.
When she visited the doctor, she was prescribed the pill, but even that didn't make a difference.
After multiple further GP trips with no real solution, Etchells' condition got so bad that she was left with a permanent physical disability.
She told the BBC Access All podcast that what she'd experienced over the last 17 years was "medical gaslighting".
The term refers to a medical professional dismissing or invalidating health worries which can cause patients to doubt their pain and concerns.
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