Paper short abstract:

This paper explores the phenomenon of medical gaslighting within the context of invisible illnesses in the Croatian health system. It investigates the root causes and repercussions of medical gaslighting and offers insights into its manifestation and interpretation.

Paper long abstract:

This paper explores the phenomenon of medical gaslighting within the context of invisible illnesses. While other Western countries actively discuss and address medical gaslighting, it appears conspicuously absent from the narrative in Croatia. Consequently, the primary objective of this paper is to investigate instances of medical gaslighting within the Croatian healthcare system. The research aims to answer key questions, including: How does medical gaslighting manifest in the Croatian health system? Is the term "medical gaslighting" culturally recognized and familiar to narrators? Why do invisible diseases face heightened susceptibility to stigmatization and gaslighting? What are the root causes and repercussions of medical gaslighting? These inquiries are addressed through the implementation of seven semi-structured interviews, where narrators share their personal medical experiences. The paper presents the findings derived from the analysis of both narrator accounts and scientific literature on related subjects, offering insights into the manifestation and interpretation of medical gaslighting within the Croatian context.