I was outrageously offended the first time a t used the word 'traumatized' to describe me. I texted my closest friends and was like HOW DARE HE and ranted on and on and they're were like ... you are aware that what you went through wasn't normal, and I had a lot of yes, but answers.

Yes, but it's not bad enough to be called trauma. Yes, but it's fine. Yes, but it's not a big deal. Yes, it's affected me decades later but whatever, it's fine.

I never attached the denial label to it but now typing this out that seems obvious. So yes, I feel like this.

My primary doc's tried multiple times to get me to verbally acknowledge some things and I deny them (so so so poorly) but I can't bring myself to say yes because it was so much worse for so many others. So I deny. And she doesn't believe me and asks again and I panic and deny and panic and panic some more while denying until she stops.

I feel like I can't call it what others do. I think for me, a part of it is that because I've downplayed it so much to myself that if I tell the details, they'll laugh and roll their eyes and ask what I'm making such a big fuss about. I'm afraid of not being believed even though they already believe me? Does that make sense?

As far as how to get out of it, I guess ramble in a box to someone else until things start to click? Kidding!! I guess figure out what's blocking you from applying those words to your experiences - would it affect how you see yourself? how you see someone else? What keeps you from validating your experiences?

Best of luck to you.