pbutton, I think we sometimes invalidate ourselves as a survival mechanism. It's easier to survive something if you convince yourself that it's no big deal. At least that is what I did, in addition to others invalidating me. Just kept telling myself it's not so bad. I can live through this. This is nothing really. I can live through this. It's no big deal; I was overreacting before. I can live through this. And I did, so clearly I was right and it was no big deal.