Modern research is turning up all sorts of gender-related differences in reactions to health care. For example, having been told by my doctor that I needed to be on cholesterol-reducing medication for the rest of my life (and then not being monitored at all because I’m now “cured”), I was somewhat surprised to discover that the evidence for the health benefits of this in women (as opposed to men) is still in dispute (see here, for example). But some of the differences are even more stark, and are a result how how doctors perceive their patients.

This study, for example, looked at what diagnosis a doctor would give to a patient who came in complaining of chest pains and other symptoms of heart disease. If the patients simply mentioned those symptoms then men and women were equally likely to be diagnosed with heart problems and referred to specialists. However, if the patients also complained of suffering from stress then the men were 2-3 times more likely to be diagnosed as ill whereas the women were much more likely to be told to stop being so neurotic and go away.

So ladies, remember this: if you have to go to a doctor (especially, I suspect, a male doctor), try to remain calm. Because if you get emotional the doctor is likely to assume that your symptoms are “psychogenic”.