My Doctor Forced Me To Do Something Disturbing. It Kept Me From Seeking Further Medical Care For Years.

Key Points:

• The author struggled with mental health and exhaustion from parenting, a terminally ill mother, and the pandemic, leading to a decision to finally start antidepressants after resistance for 15 years.
• During a visit with a long-trusted family doctor, the author faced fat-shaming when the doctor insisted on weighing her despite her mental health struggles, causing her to avoid medical care for years afterward.
• Years later, the author sought treatment for severe back pain and a lump, fearing dismissal due to her weight, but a spinal specialist diagnosed her with herniated discs and scoliosis, affirming her medical concerns were valid and unrelated to her weight.
• The experience highlighted ongoing discrimination fat patients face in healthcare, emphasizing the importance of being seen and treated as individuals beyond their weight and the need to advocate for respectful care.
• The author encourages others to advocate for themselves but also to seek new doctors if they face repeated fat-shaming or dismissal, underscoring the impact of compassionate, unbiased medical care on patient well-being.