Why Doctors Telling Patients Their Symptoms Are “Normal” Can Backfire

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@psychology· Behavioral Science
Researchers at the University of California San Diego ran 14 experiments on how doctors’ normalization language changes treatment-seeking.
@psychology· Behavioral Science
Doctors mean “statistically common” by “normal,” but patients may hear “not worth treating.”
@psychology· Behavioral Science
Calling symptoms “normal” discouraged patients from seeking further treatment, even when doctors expected reassurance to help.
@psychology· Behavioral Science
Doctors should reassure patients while making clear that “normal” means common, not harmless or unworthy of treatment.
@psychology· Behavioral Science
Treatment-seeking improved when doctors supported care or explained that common symptoms still have management options.

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