In today’s world of endless opinions and information overload, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when making decisions about your health. As a physician in practice for almost 25 years, I see firsthand how fear – often fueled by others’ judgments or misinformation – can keep people from using therapeutic options they genuinely need. I call it the “medical boogeyman.”
Hands down, the biggest threat to the health of the U.S. right now is chronic disease. It is crippling our society. The rates of obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, dementia, and cancers of all types have skyrocketed. These diseases are taking people out of their lives and placing them in an endless cycle of doctors’ appointments, procedures, and surgeries. The solution to these diseases is simple and basic: movement and muscle mass, metabolic health, and hormone optimization.
Every day, patients arrive in my office wrestling not just with physical symptoms and health problems, but also with anxiety about what others might think of their choices. GLP-1s are a perfect example of this. GLP-1s like Ozempic (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) are transformative medications. They have long been known to provide excellent blood sugar control to diabetics and to promote weight loss in obesity. They have also been studied in chronic kidney disease, dementia, substance use disorder, polycystic ovarian syndrome, fatty liver disease, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and even mental health disorders.
GLP-1s are part of the solution to the American epidemic of chronic disease. In every disorder that has been studied, they have demonstrated substantial benefits. But patients are afraid to be on them or afraid that others will find out they are on them.
Why does this happen? At its core, health care is deeply personal. Our bodies, our histories, and our needs are unique. Yet we live in a culture where everyone seems to have an opinion on what’s “right” or “natural.” It’s often quick sound bites that they heard on TV or from someone else: “GLP-1s only work because you eat less from being so nauseated”; “They’ll make your intestines stop working”; “You’ll lose so much weight that you’ll look terrible after.”
The pressure to conform to others’ beliefs can be intense, especially when those beliefs are wrapped in emotion or fear. Unfortunately, this pressure can lead people to delay or decline treatments that are proven to help.
So how do we move forward? I have a few thoughts on this.
Heather Hinshelwood, MD, FACRM
• Take ownership of your health. It’s yours and yours alone.
• Don’t be that person who offers erroneous advice about someone else’s health. It’s not helpful and can cost someone else an opportunity to improve their life.
• Ask an expert who is knowledgeable and skilled in the arena that you are looking at. For example, you wouldn’t bring in an electrician for an electrical issue and then tell them that you’re going to ask your friend the plumber if they agree with the assessment and plan. If you have an electrical issue, follow the electrician’s recommendations.
Here are a few strategies to help you stay confident in your medical choices:
• Educate yourself. Seek out reputable sources and ask your healthcare provider questions until you feel comfortable with your options. Knowledge is a powerful antidote to fear.
• Set boundaries. It’s okay to politely decline discussions about your health with people who aren’t supportive or informed. You don’t owe anyone an explanation for prioritizing your well-being.
• Find your support system. Surround yourself with people who respect your decisions, even if they don’t always agree with them. Sometimes, that means finding a new doctor, therapist, or community that aligns with your values.
• Remember your “why.” Whether you’re managing a chronic condition, recovering from an injury, or simply trying to stay healthy, keep your goals in mind. Let them guide you – not the opinions of others.
As a physician, my role is to empower patients to make informed choices, not to dictate what those choices should be. I encourage you to do the same for yourself. Don’t let fear, stigma, or the judgments of others keep you from the care that could change – or even save – your life.
Your health journey is yours alone. Trust yourself, seek out the best information, and don’t let anyone scare you away from what’s best for you.
