Experiencing Psychological Torment: Exploring Mental Health Repercussions, Case Studies, and Beyond
In today's world, experiencing chronic pain or identifying as part of a marginalized group can often lead to a heart-wrenching reality: traumatic invalidation. This phenomenon occurs when a person's feelings, experiences, and memories are consistently dismissed or treated as unacceptable by those around them.
Traumatic invalidation can stem from various sources, often tracing back to childhood experiences or arising in adulthood. For instance, a Person of Color may be told they're misinterpreting racist comments, a transgender person may be misgendered, or a person with chronic pain may be accused of making up or exaggerating their symptoms. Discrimination can also play a significant role, particularly for those with marginalized race, ethnicity, disability status, sexuality, or gender identity.
Research has shown that traumatic invalidation is linked to a host of mental health conditions, including borderline personality disorder (BPD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A 2021 literature review, for example, found that being invalidated by parents increases the likelihood of developing BPD. Similarly, a 2020 study revealed that children who had their experiences of intimate partner violence invalidated were more likely to experience PTSD and depressive symptoms.
The impact of traumatic invalidation can be profound. It can cause symptoms of post-traumatic stress when it is severe and repeated, teaching someone to ignore or downplay their feelings or memories, and making them believe that their feelings shouldn't be trusted. This can lead to self-harm in teenagers, as suggested by a 2018 study, and poor mental health outcomes, as evidenced by a 2019 study on nonbinary teenagers.
However, healing from traumatic invalidation is possible. Therapy, support groups, setting boundaries, and finding healthy ways to relieve stress are all crucial steps in the healing process. Psych Central's "How to Find Mental Health Support" resource can help in finding a therapist.
It's essential to remember that traumatic invalidation can be especially hurtful when it comes from people who are close to the individual or those in positions of power. If you or someone you know is experiencing traumatic invalidation, it's crucial to seek help and support.
Trauma, as defined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA), is an emotional or physical response to one or more harmful or life-threatening events, with lasting adverse effects on mental and physical well-being. Understanding traumatic invalidation is the first step towards healing and recovery.
