UK study: Autoimmune conditions wrongly blamed on stress

Autoimmune conditions, affecting one in ten Britons, are frequently misdiagnosed as psychological issues by GPs, leading to significant diagnostic delays, particularly for women. A study published in The Lancet highlights that symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and muscle pain are often attributed to stress or anxiety. This oversight means patients, especially females, can wait years for a correct diagnosis of conditions such as Hashimoto's, Graves' disease, lupus, or arthritis.

These diseases occur when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues. While the exact causes for their rise remain unclear, factors like diet influencing gut bacteria may play a role. The research indicated that 43% of women and a third of men reported being told their symptoms were psychiatric in origin, with women also more likely to have symptoms misdiagnosed as psychosomatic.

Experts emphasize the need for clinicians to remain open-minded when symptoms persist, considering underlying autoimmune diseases. Historical biases in medicine, stereotyping women as more emotional, may contribute to these diagnostic disparities. Patient advocates stress that while labels like 'hysteria' are outdated, women still face challenges in having their symptoms believed and accurately addressed.