When looking for a quote today, that would help explain why invalidation is so painful, I came across my own quote. I forgot I wrote this.
I wrote this quote a few years ago. Invalidation, has been in my life, since I can ever remember. My entire family of origin used invalidation, as psychological abuse tactic. During every period of abuse, over 44 years of my life, I have been subjected to invalidation.
Invalidation, can be minimizing, rejecting, mocking, judging, diminishing and/or denying a persons experience, emotions, thoughts and reality.
When it’s being invalidated by significant people in your life, it is so painful. And it causes me to withdraw and feel not only the pain of the person currently invalidating my reality, but also triggers all the pain of all the invalidating done throughout my life.
This is an article about invalidation and how it is emotional abuse. It explains many forms of invalidation abuse survivors are often subjected to.
http://abusesanctuary.blogspot.com.au/2007/02/invalidation-invalidation-is-to-reject.html
February 5, 2016 at 10:28 am
oh my !!!!! incredible article. thank you so much. you are saving my sanity. !!!!!! I have been invalidated all my life. Finally understand people to this to eliminate the guilt they are feeling !!!!!!!!
February 7, 2016 at 9:11 am
I’m so sorry you have been invalidated all your life, because I know how painful it is and how lonely it makes us feel.
❤
February 23, 2016 at 8:39 am
have you considering becoming a therapist?
April 8, 2016 at 8:25 am
I found this amazing blog while looking for pictures dealing with invalidation for a post that I’m putting up later this month. Thank you for writing this and writing about what you do. Invalidation is so, so hard, and unfortunately it’s something I’ve received from family members about really bad things in my life.
Just, thank you so much. I hope you have a beautiful day sunshine, and take gentle care of yourself.
April 8, 2016 at 6:28 pm
I am so glad if anything I write here helps you ❤
I know all the pain and emotions I feel, other people feel. And whilst I don't wish that on anyone, I always hope others know they are not alone in their pain and emotions. Someone understands.
I hope you have a beautiful day too & you have that gentle self care, we so need.
Lilly ❤