So a lot of the issues and behaviors I have usually stem from trauma, according to the literature.  But I never thought of myself as having a super traumatic childhood...some stuff but generally I wasn't savagely beaten (spankings with a mixing spoon, soap in the mouth, usual old-school stuff) or neglected or repeatedly raped/assaulted (although I was, once, by an older boy when I was 10 or so).  But that stuff seems so...minor.  My dad had BPD behaviors/mental health issues which was problematic (mood swings, breaking things, rages...but he was generally good).  He came and went a lot becuase of work.  My mom did the best she could with a mentally ill father and a firstborn who was very evidently mentally ill by 2.5 years old (therapy!) while raising a second child.  I was fairly self sufficient exceptionally early other than my emotional issues.  So I don't know what that is.


I hear a lot of talk of invalidation but it seems vaguely defined.  I guess I'm really interested in it becuase I've read about some behaviors and it seems fitting.


Sorry for the wall of text.  I guess I just don't feel "abused" and I sometimes feel silly saying I had a "traumatic" childhood.