In a recent interview with Vogue UK, Oscar-winning actress Sharon Stone revealed her harrowing experience with medical gaslighting following a life-threatening stroke in 2001. Stone, now 65 years old, discussed the challenges she faced when physicians dismissed her symptoms as feigned, putting her life in danger.

Stone recounted how the medical professionals initially missed the severity of her condition during her first angiogram. She stated, "They missed it with the first angiogram and decided that I was faking it." It was only after her best friend advocated for a second angiogram that they discovered she had been experiencing a nine-day brain bleed. Stone revealed, "My vertebral artery was ruptured. I would have died if they had sent me home."

The incident highlights what is commonly known as medical gaslighting, a phenomenon where healthcare providers undermine or dismiss patients' symptoms, leading to potential misdiagnosis or inadequate treatment. Insider reported that medical gaslighting tends to affect marginalized groups such as Black people, patients with obesity, and women.

Stone attributed the disregard for her suffering to her gender, stating, "What I learned through that experience is that in a medical setting, women often just aren't heard, particularly when you don't have a female doctor." Her journey to recovery was arduous, as she was initially given a mere 1% chance of survival after undergoing brain surgery. However, a procedure called endovascular coiling saved her life.

Despite surviving the stroke, Stone faced numerous challenges during her recovery. She experienced difficulties with speech, walking, and battled bouts of depression. For the first few years, she felt as though she was being constantly attacked. Stone admitted that she hid her disability and had fears about being accepted by society. "I just thought no one would accept me," she shared.

Nevertheless, Stone emphasizes that her disability does not define her. She asserted, "I think many people identify with their illness as 'I am this thing,' and it cannot be your identity." In her memoir, The Beauty of Living Twice, published in 2021, Stone recounted her experience during the stroke, admitting that she believed she was going to die. She described a surreal encounter with a "white light" and a feeling of falling, as well as seeing people who had passed away.

This isn't the first time Stone has clashed with her medical team. In 2021, Stone spoke to the Times about her surgery in 2001 to remove benign tumors, revealing that her surgeon had increased her breast size without her consent while she was under anesthesia. When confronted, the surgeon allegedly claimed he thought she would look better with larger breasts.

Despite her struggles, Stone is now focused on living her best life. She recently shared with People magazine that she prioritizes a strong wellness routine, including eight hours of uninterrupted sleep per night to manage her health and prevent seizures. Additionally, Stone has found solace and fulfillment in her second career as a painter, experiencing a personal renaissance, as she highlighted in the September 2022 issue of Vogue Arabia.

Sharon Stone's story sheds light on the importance of being heard and validated in healthcare settings. Her resilience and determination to overcome challenges serve as an inspiration to others facing similar experiences with medical gaslighting.