Women With Autoimmune Diseases Often Misdiagnosed With Psychiatric Conditions, Study Reports - Video

Could gender bias be causing women with autoimmune diseases to wait longer for the right diagnosis? A new international study suggests that women with autoimmune conditions are more likely than men to have their physical symptoms incorrectly attributed to psychiatric or psychosomatic disorders, potentially delaying appropriate diagnosis and treatment.

Published in eClinicalMedicine, a journal of The Lancet, the study analysed 6,607 patient-reported diagnostic experiences involving autoimmune diseases. Researchers found that 43% of women reported having their conditions previously misdiagnosed as mental health problems, compared with 33% of men.

Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues, causing conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and multiple sclerosis. These disorders are generally more common among women and can present with symptoms that are difficult to identify during the early stages.

Common symptoms, including fatigue, persistent pain, disturbed sleep and low mood, often overlap with those of other medical and psychological conditions, making diagnosis challenging.

The findings also revealed substantial gender differences in diagnostic delays. While men most frequently reported receiving a diagnosis within three months of symptom onset, women commonly reported waiting one to two years. Women also reported more healthcare consultations before receiving a correct diagnosis.

Additionally, approximately 34% of women reported being told that psychological factors had worsened their conditions.

However, the study emphasised that autoimmune and psychiatric conditions can coexist. Certain autoimmune diseases, particularly lupus, may also directly affect the nervous system and cause psychiatric symptoms.

The findings highlight the importance of carefully evaluating persistent, evolving or unexplained symptoms, particularly when multiple organ systems are involved.

Researchers stressed that listening to patients, recognising diagnostic uncertainty and considering underlying autoimmune disorders could help reduce misdiagnosis and improve timely access to appropriate treatment.

REFERENCE: Sloan, M., et al. (2026). Sex and disease differences in patients’ diagnostic experiences in autoimmune diseases: An international cross-sectional study. eClinicalMedicine. DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2026.104259