White coat syndrome
Imagine being at your doctor’s office and having all of your symptoms ready to go in your mind to tell your doctor. As they enter the room, BOOM all of your thoughts and logical thinking are gone. You stammer out some version of what you are going through, the doctor gives you a diagnosis or gives you their thoughts in maybe 5 minutes, they leave the room, you leave the office, you get in your car, and you realize that you have no idea what just happened and never even told them all that you are experiencing.
Has this ever happened to you?
Chances are it has, and you are not alone. There is a name for this: white coat syndrome. White coat syndrome is usually related to blood pressure, where magically your semi-elevated blood pressure that you measured at home has increased drastically while at the doctors office. But, I think the roots of this phenomenon run deeper.
This phenomenon occurs because we, as a society, have placed physicians on a pedestal that we view as unachievable for ourselves. This means that we subconsciously feel the need to act a certain way, prove ourselves, make ourselves look better, etc. to these beings that we deem so much better than ourselves.
Let’s be clear: this is all subconscious. You are not going into the doctors office going “oh, my savior! Heal me with your divine hands”.
No, it’s more like:
*doctors says what’s wrong with you*
*you nod your head like a puppet and agree without even thinking*
You have this subconscious need to agree with this figure of authority in front of you simply because they are wearing a white coat.
Trust me, we all do it, even me who is more than aware of this phenomenon. It is interesting to me that we have this shared experience that involves a white colored piece of cloth on a persons shoulders. This phenomenon that affects us all is one that is not often discussed but plays a crucial role in our physical and mental health.
We tend to shut down when facing people of authority. Similar to what a child feels when they get in trouble at school. They look up to their teacher. They idolize them. They feel so disappointed and ashamed of their actions when they realize that this person that they hold so high on a pedestal is upset or disappointed with them. Again, your inner child is being exposed to the same influence while in the presence of the “dreaded” white coat.
I definitely understand the purpose of the coat: it’s a symbol of survival through medical school, you get your name printed on it, and it is of utmost value to you. There are even white coat ceremonies for incoming medical students to celebrate their acceptance. Don’t get me wrong, all of this is important and fantastic to celebrate! But, it becomes important in the context of our culture and society where this piece of clothing not only physically affects people (such as high blood pressure) but also mentally and emotionally affects patients (feeling embarrassed, loosing your key talking points mid-appointment, etc.). I don’t actually know if this phenomenon is taught in medical schools (I sure hope it is!), but I think the bigger question that I am getting at is: why has a specific colored piece of clothing become this symbol of authority or idolized so much that we subconsciously affect our health outcomes just being in the presence of the object?
Yes, I know. Deep stuff.
*takes a few breath while mind explodes*
Just some food for thought for you.
Stay humble,
Emily
