BISA Quoted in Article Concerning Mental Health after Harm from Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery

Maria Gmitro and BISA’s Mental Health Advisor Amanda Savage Brown, PhD, LCSW were both quoted in the article from Mad in America, a publication that focuses on science, psychiatry and social justice. 

The article titled “The Psychiatrization of Consumers after Harm from Plastic and Cosmetic Procedures” written by Sasha Lauren was published on July 1, 2023. The article shared a number of patient experiences and perspectives relating to the topic of harm after plastic and cosmetic surgery.

Maria Gmitro, BISA’s President was quoted:

“We have seen a trend in how this dismissive behavior can impact patients’ perceptions of the medical community, potentially diminishing their trust in doctors, resulting in a change in their approach to future medical care. It is a struggle for patients to get a diagnosis for a chronic illness, proven harder for women, and with breast implants, whether elective or not, there is stigma attached and often shame. The greatest impact is on a woman of color. Some plastic surgeons are heavily influenced by the profit-driven industry creating a conflict of interest and intentionally misleading patients.”
-Maria Gmitro, M.Ed, BCPA

Amanda Savage Brown, PhD, LCSW, author of Busting Free, and mental health advisor for BISA was also quoted:

“The minimization, denial, and gaslighting of patients who complain of harm from medical devices is reminiscent of the treatment of patients with football-related brain trauma. There’s potentially a lot to be lost by addressing their complaints. The psychologizing, however, is more akin to what we’ve seen with chronic fatigue and postpartum depression. There’s a long-standing history, at least in women’s health, of this harmful practice.”
-Amanda Savage Brown, PhD, LCSW

According to the publication, Mad in America hosts blogs by a diverse group of writers. These posts are designed to serve as a public forum for a discussion—broadly speaking—of psychiatry and its treatments. The opinions expressed are the writers’ own. The information presented in this article is not for personal medical or legal advice or instruction.

Read the full article here.

Mad in America: The Psychiatrization of Consumers after Harm from Plastic and Cosmetic Procedures