DiscoverCalling In SickWhy Being the Perfect Patient Won’t Cure You: The Truth About When People-Pleasing Backfires
Why Being the Perfect Patient Won’t Cure You: The Truth About When People-Pleasing Backfires

Why Being the Perfect Patient Won’t Cure You: The Truth About When People-Pleasing Backfires

Update: 2025-10-06
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In this week’s episode of Calling in Sick, I’m opening up about how being “a pleasure to have in class” growing up has morphed into a deep need to be a PERFECT patient!!! I share how I try get my therapist to laugh during appointments like I’m some stand-up comedian and why I love to hear “your so tough” like I’m a Navy Seal.


The reality is that the clash of this constant need to people please mixed with my chronic illnesses has led me to….lie to my doctors. I come clean on the extents I’ve gone through to be perfect, how it’s backfired, and answer the subsequent, polarizing question: is it ever OK to lie to your doctor?


Plus, I drop my TOP 3 TIPS for breaking free from “perfect patient” mode. If you’ve ever downplayed symptoms, performed for a laugh mid-appointment, or craved your provider’s approval… you’re not alone, and we can quit this very sick game together. So here’s to us, becoming not so perfect!




xx,
Alex




💬 Comment: Have you ever downplayed symptoms or lied to your doctor to seem like the ‘perfect patient’? Drop your confession below 




TIMESTAMP:


Intro:


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


00:24:00 Clinical Study Update & The Surprise I pulled off this week!!!


The Perfect Patient Trap & How to Escape it:


00:05:06 Qualities of a people-pleasing, perfect patient


00:06:03 Why I NEED to be the perfection patient


00:08:14 My recovery from people-pleasing


00:14:30 A story of how I lied to my doctor


00:16:55 3 tips to challenge your desire to be the perfect patient


00:19:20 Your permission to be imperfect




Conclusion:


00:20:20 Alex’s Picks of the Week (Los Angeles Apparel, Soludos)


00:22:51 One Brain Cell Pick…for spooky season! (Haunted Hotel - Netflix)


00:25:18 Thanks for Calling in Sick with me!


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Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/




Alex’s Picks of the Week:


In honor of reminiscing this week for Saint Cooper’s birthday, here are my nostalgic picks for you!!


✨Los Angeles Apparel - https://go.shopmy.us/p-25899517


✨Soludos - go.shopmy.us/p-27019178










#CallingInSickPodcast #AlexWildeson #PerfectPatient #ChronicIllness #SpoonieSupport #SpoonieCommunity #ChronicLife #AutoimmuneDisease #InvisibleIllness #PeoplePleasing #PatientAdvocacy #MedicalGaslighting #HealthcareTips #DoctorVisits  #PatientEmpowerment #LyingToYourDoctor #MentalHealthMatters #ChronicPain #PatientStories #DoctorOfficeConfessions #RadicalAcceptance #AccountabilityMatters #TraumaHealing #TherapyHumor #PrednisoneLife #FlareUps #ChronicFatigue #IBD #InvisibleDisabilities #SpoonieSisters #HealthEquity #SelfAdvocacy #HonestPatient #PeoplePleaserRecovery  #HealthBoundaries

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Why Being the Perfect Patient Won’t Cure You: The Truth About When People-Pleasing Backfires

Why Being the Perfect Patient Won’t Cure You: The Truth About When People-Pleasing Backfires

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