I Had To Give Up My PhD Because Doctors Wouldn't Look Past My History Of Depression

Part of me knew it was something more; that’s why I kept going back. But eventually, I was told so many times that depression was the cause that I started to believe it.

You know your body better than anyone – but what happens when no one listens? Welcome to Ms Diagnosed: a HuffPost UK series uncovering the reality of medical gaslighting. With new stats showing that 8 in 10 of women have felt unheard by medical professionals, we’re sharing the stories of seven whose lives were nearly lost to the gap between their symptoms and a system that refused to listen. As the UK introduces Jess’s Rule – a new mandate for GPs to ‘rethink’ after a third visit – we’re exploring why the medical system is still failing women and how we can start to fix it.

At the beginning of 2023, I’d reached a point where I was so exhausted, I’d go days without showering.

My partner – who had effectively become my carer – would help me comb through my hair because it was so matted. He was doing all the cooking and cleaning; I just wasn’t able to do anything.

Each day, I’d wake up late – feeling unbearably tired – and would then most likely fall asleep on the sofa at home. I’d force myself to leave the house occasionally; but when I did, I’d always feel even worse.

Throughout it all, my doctors said my symptoms were due to depression, and I believed them. I thought they’d know if it was something more. I trusted them when they said no follow-up was needed.

I was completing my PhD and working as an Associate Lecturer at the time – but by the end of February 2023, I’d had an enormous crash.

My workload had briefly increased to three times the amount of teaching. I’d known about this when starting the module, but never would have agreed to it if I’d known what was really going on with my health.

My fatigue got so bad that it led to severe flu symptoms like sore throat, blocked nose, nausea and fevers, together with........

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