Invalidation- what is it?
Invalidation refers to the act of disregarding or denying someone’s thoughts, feelings, or experiences.
Here are three signs that someone may be experiencing invalidation:
1. Disbelief: When a person expresses their thoughts or feelings, they may be met with disbelief or skepticism. As if what they are saying is untrue or doesn’t make sense. Making them feel a deep sense of wrongness.
2. Minimisation: A person’s feelings and experiences may be dismissed or minimised as unimportant or trivial, even if they are significant to that person. Often leaving a feeling of not being accepted.
3. Blame: A person may be made to feel like their thoughts or feelings are just “wrong”, and that they should simply just “get over it”. Ultimately blaming the victims feelings over the potential problem at hand.
Invalidation can be hurtful and damaging to a person’s self-esteem and mental health.
Do you find yourself sometimes consciously or unconsciously invalidating someone else’s experience? Or maybe your own? Let me know below.
Sam Taylor 