Dr. Karan Rajan on Medical Dismissal, Chronic Illness, and the Rise of Health Misinformation

This week on Calling in Sick, I’m joined by the one and only Dr. Karan Rajan (@dr-karan-explores) — NHS surgeon, educator, and one of the most trusted voices cutting through health misinformation on TikTok. This episode is all about the emotional and medical consequences of constant dismissal and gaslighting — especially for women and people with chronic illness. When you’re told “it’s just anxiety” over and over again, it’s no wonder so many patients turn to the internet in search of answers. And unfortunately? The internet doesn’t always get it right.

We’re digging into:

💭 Why “you’re just anxious” has become medicine’s favorite (and a dangerous) catch-all

🧠 How being dismissed by doctors leads patients toward TikTok, Instagram, and wellness rabbit holes

🔍 Why some unlicensed “experts” thrive online — and how to navigate health content without shame or pseudoscience

🗣️ Real advice for self-advocacy at medical appointments

💚 The one thing Dr. Karan wishes medicine had more of

Whether you’ve walked out of a doctor’s office questioning your reality, or found yourself spiraling through symptoms, supplements, and side effects — this episode is your reminder: You’re not alone. You’re not dramatic. You’re not just anxious.

xx,

Alex

This week, let us know... What’s a moment you knew something was wrong — but no one believed you?

TIMESTAMPS: 

00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling In Sick! 

00:02:40 Alex’s Picks of the Week

00:05:50 Introduction to Dr. Karan Rajan

00:21:15 How being dismissed by doctors leads patients toward TikTok, Instagram, and wellness rabbit holes

00:34:15 Why “you’re just anxious” has become medicine’s favorite (and a dangerous) catch-all

00:44:50 Why some unlicensed “experts” thrive online — and how to navigate health content without shame or pseudoscience

00:54:30 Viral medical misconceptions 

01:12:30 One Brain Cell Shows: The Sandman

01:16:00 Thank you for listening! 

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