This is a pet peeve of mine. I used to just stew about it and not say anything out loud, although my body language probably said otherwise!

I finally mustered up the courage one day during a visit with this doctor (a Neurologist....shocking!!) to speak up. I was nice about it but I interrupted him and just said "Excuse me. I don't normally interrupt people unless it's important. You might not realize it but your tone of voice you're presenting with to me is very condescending. I understand more than you think I do about my MS because I do research everything I can about it because I DO want to get better. So please speak to me as someone who is a willing partner in my health care and not someone who doesn't understand my disease."

The look on his face was priceless. It sort of scared me for a second because he didn't say anything. But he did apologize (not sure how sincere it was ) but he heard me and the ball was in his court now. I had to speak up because I couldn't expect him to read my mind and know what I was feeling. He did get a little better after that but some people are just abrupt in their presentation. Their affect is a bit "uppity" but I think they are really just trying to keep up with a hectic schedule and many patients who all have a different set of symptoms for them to keep track of. Not making excuses for their behavior but I know when I get overwhelmed I get snippy. They chose this career so I say "suck it up, baby".