I expect doctors to make some judgements--they are trained to look for certain signs that may indicate certain social problems. I am okay with that. What I am not okay with are snap judgements that symptoms must be due to stress or anxiety or some other psychological cause.

I know my previous OB/GYN judged me for not being married and for having had a few sexual partners over a few years. (I don't believe in lying to doctors, especially where your sexual health is at stake.)

I didn't stop going to her because of it, but it did make it pretty easy to switch when I started a new job and chose an HMO instead of a PPO, so I had to switch providers.

I am 52 yo. But I have heart circulation of a 70 yo thanks to genetics. And I have diabetes (not sure why, maybe diet, maybe side effects of the meds), I am a little overweight (BMI of about 30), oh...and I am a cancer survivor. A doctor was looking at my chart in the ER last fall. He came in and was surprised by my age...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Of course they do. I'm overweight. If I go in for the flu, they tell me I need to lose weight. If I go in for a pap smear, they tell me I need to lose weight. If I go in for migraines, they tell me I need to lose weight. The sole reason I have for any medical concerns is that I'm fat, I'm essentially being told.

I don't necessarily think this is judgment of a personal variety, OP. As medical practitioners they know that your health could be improved by losing weight. It really does affect everything.

Yes, those extra 20 pounds sure make you more likely to get the flu.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Of course they do. I'm overweight. If I go in for the flu, they tell me I need to lose weight. If I go in for a pap smear, they tell me I need to lose weight. If I go in for migraines, they tell me I need to lose weight. The sole reason I have for any medical concerns is that I'm fat, I'm essentially being told.

I don't necessarily think this is judgment of a personal variety, OP. As medical practitioners they know that your health could be improved by losing weight. It really does affect everything.

+1 to the

DH has a chronic illness that caused him to gain weight. The disease predated and directly led to the weight gain. It is made worse by his medicine for the disease, which has caused additional weight gain. As confirmed by his specialist. Yet every doctor he sees besides his specialist tells him how his weight is causing the illness.

Sometimes, despite how well educated they are, doctors can be incredibly, infuriatingly stupid.

Op, what do you do for a living and do you judge people you do work for?

I'm a provider and if you mean "judge" by if I ever have a negative thought about someone, then yes of course.
If it means have I ever thought people made seriously bad decisions, then yes.
If it means have I ever had a rude, bullying patient who was obscenely inappropriate to me that I didn't like, then yes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Of course they do. I'm overweight. If I go in for the flu, they tell me I need to lose weight. If I go in for a pap smear, they tell me I need to lose weight. If I go in for migraines, they tell me I need to lose weight. The sole reason I have for any medical concerns is that I'm fat, I'm essentially being told.

I'm sorry. That has to be frustrating.

Not PP. I guess it depends. The medical professionals I met were actually realistic about my weight issue. Yes, it will help if I lose weight. In the meantime, let's hook you up with some drugs or therapy.

Their judgement is no worse than my own. I know I must lose weight. They know I must lose weight. We both know that reality often flies in the face of wisdom. No harm, no foul.

Yes this is normally the case.