eClinicalMedicine: More Than 40% of Women with Autoimmune Diseases Have Experienced a Misdiagnosis of a Psychiatric Condition
23:37 13 October, 2026Women with autoimmune diseases are significantly more likely than men to have their symptoms incorrectly attributed to psychiatric or psychosomatic causes. They also often have to wait longer for an accurate diagnosis and undergo more medical consultations. These findings come from an international study involving 6,607 patients, published in eClinicalMedicine, part of The Lancet Group.
The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Cambridge and the University of East Anglia in collaboration with patients, healthcare organizations, and physicians. Unlike studies based solely on medical records, the researchers examined patients’ personal accounts of their diagnostic experiences.
Among women, 43% reported that their symptoms had previously been incorrectly attributed to psychiatric causes. The corresponding figure among men was 33%. Misdiagnoses involving psychosomatic explanations — when physical symptoms are attributed to psychological factors or considered to be exacerbated by them — were reported by 34% of women and 22% of men.
After adjusting for age, disease group, continent of residence, and socioeconomic status, the researchers found that women were nearly 50% more likely than men to report having received an incorrect psychiatric diagnosis. They were also almost 75% more likely to report a psychosomatic misdiagnosis.
Men, however, were slightly more likely to report that their autoimmune disease had initially been mistaken for another physical illness. Such cases were reported by 48% of men and 44% of women.
Autoimmune diseases develop when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues. They include rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and multiple sclerosis. Many of these conditions are more common in women.
Diagnosis can be challenging because, in their early stages, these diseases often cause nonspecific symptoms such as fatigue, pain, sleep disturbances, and low mood. These symptoms are also common among people without serious illnesses. In addition, autoimmune conditions can affect several organs at once, and their manifestations may change over time.
The study also identified differences in the time taken to reach a diagnosis. Men most commonly reported receiving a diagnosis within three months of symptom onset. Among women, the most frequently reported waiting period was between one and two years. Women also sought medical attention more often.
The researchers emphasize, however, that psychiatric disorders and autoimmune diseases can coexist. Some autoimmune conditions, such as lupus, can directly affect the brain, while living with a severe chronic illness can itself affect a person's mental health.