Are You Just Being a Victim? Dismantling Victim Mindset.

Are you just being a victim? Dismantling victim mindset.
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Topics covered in this video: victim mindset, victim mentality, toxic positivity, weakness, selfish, psychology, healing, inner child, adulting, toxic parents, security, toxic family system, ifs, self-healing, journaling, toxic relationships, triggers, childhood trauma, inner child, inner child work, c-ptsd, ptsd, toxic parents, narcissistic abuse, assertion, mind reading, moods, healing, abusive parents, emotional abuse, childhood ptsd, repressed memories, hypervigilance, narcissistic parents, emotionally abusive parents, child abuse, narcissistic father, childhood emotional neglect, abuse, narcissistic mother, NPD, BPD, dysfunctional family
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:13 J Doe - A C-PTSD Case Example
6:38 J Seeks Help
9:20 Extended Family
10:56 Strangers Online
13:18 Comments From Strangers Online
17:00 Breaking Down Comments From Strangers Online
20:21 Victim Mindset and Positivity
28:44 A Safe Rare Resource
31:45 How Society Responds to Abuse Survivors
34:22 The Root Issue
37:50 Final Thoughts
42:03 Connect With Me
42:25 Outro
Learn more about Patrick Teahan,
Childhood Trauma Resources and Offerings
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⚠️ Disclaimer
My videos are for educational purposes only. Information provided on this channel is not intended to be a substitute for in person professional medical advice. It is not intended to replace the services of a therapist, physician, or other qualified professional, nor does it constitute a therapist-client or physician or quasi-physician relationship.
If you are, or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call a local emergency telephone number or go immediately to the nearest emergency room.
If you are having emotional distress, please utilize 911 or the National Suicide Hotline
1-800-273-8255

[@flyinggnocchi]

“There is nothing dysfunctional about wanting a family to be supportive.” 😔

[@truewantsaband]

Gut punch 🤛🏻

[@randomlifeunit]

Ouch 💔

[@tanakaren1822]

In an Abusive Family, it is a dream that won't come true. Let go the little child hope & care for yourself. Don't keep trying to get delicious healthy apples from the toxic dry cleaners. Failing is continually repeating what does not work & expecting a different outcome.

[@katarinatibai8396]

💯💯💯💔

[@PrinceKoffe]

​@@tanakaren1822Toxic positivity. You were literally described in this video.

[@sirenamber]

This one is triggering for me. My abusive parent often said 'stop playing the victim' as a way to invalidate my emotional experience about being abused. I WAS a victim: I was a CHILD. It happened.

[@leahflower9924]

They love saying that I doubt a healthy parent would even say that

[@Bookgirlgab]

I emphasize with you so much. My parents said this till they were blue in the face! I get triggered from the word victim just because of it…

[@ashannaredwolf8485]

“Stop crying or I’ll give you something to cry about” was my parents’ version of this. I love each and every one of you; you are so brave. ❤❤❤

[@cutecurls9162]

My parents always said that i burn my bridges . If you dont like it move out, i am messy because i told the truth. And i always thought that was true... I am just now seeing that is not true. I am 38.

[@gregpendrey6711]

@@cutecurls9162 😍I am 59

[@pattiepepper6217]

"We don't let toxic people tell us who we are anymore. Or tell us what our experience was." - Patrick Teahan. Thank you, Patrick.

[@Gangari_the_Wanderer]

This stood out to me too. Well said. I actually struggled with this a LOT (and still do, but now I'm aware of it and actively resisting).

[@spencerjones6132]

This is absolute gold.

[@MassMultiplayer]

i cope laugh back about how i think they are lol it make it neutral quite fast' "ego 1 haha ego 2" ego 1: "cool story bro you are better grats"

[@DonTwanX]

That one statement was worth 43 minutes of my time. Patrick is an emotional Jedi! I am but a Padawan on this journey and could only make the slowest progress without the leaders in this community like Patrick.

[@starchildsol]

Exactly!❤

[@AdrieneBell]

"We don't let toxic people tell us who we are" thank you for saying that Patrick!

[@tayzonday]

Whenever a person talks about legitimate social injustice, there are some people who push back and accuse that person of “playing the victim.” False narratives around capitalism, meritocracy, equal opportunity and rational choice each facilitate this abuse/trauma denial on a grand scale.

[@xuan5469]

spot on!! really feel like "the american dream" is the amalgamation of all of that, as well as the recent rampage of scams, schemes and rug-pulls that play on people's familiar exposures and susceptibilities to these dynamics :(

[@GrayBlood1331]

Seriously how do you keep showing up in the comments of all the videos I watch?!

[@DawnDreams]

Omg it's TayZonday!

[@cass_sorrel]

Omg, it's you :)

[@Iquey]

That's so true. How can we expect victims to be the bigger person or be "ultra rational" when often, the abuse itself wasn't rational at all! It comes from a place of either pain, spite, lust or greed, or just taking advantage of children's position of dependence period. You're not a rational being when it happens to you, as a CHILD, duh...and the perpetrator certainly wasn't rational either. They hide behind "logic"and "rationalism" to cover up their own impulsive bad acts.

[@mynotificationsareoff.400]

My husbands first therapist told him he wasnt special and that lots of kids get abused. So glad he was even willing to give therapy another shot after that. Because his abuse was insane, and she is insane for trying to normalize it.

[@orielwiggins2225]

Woah, I'm so sorry. That's atrocious!

[@brickhouse7401]

Bizarre

[@VanessaKittredge]

I had a couple of awful therapists too but that takes the cake. I’m so sorry. Really makes you wonder how some folks got into this profession at all.

[@annabreeze352]

I feel like that person’s degree was fake. I’m so sorry your husband dealt with that from someone who probably seemed like an authority figure who could help him at the time. Point blank: some therapists are bad at their jobs.

[@dapsolita]

Your husband is a trooper🙂

[@GayHimbo]

THANK YOU I’ve heard so many psychologists and therapists take this weird bootstraps stance. I remember the holistic psychologist made a video titled “how to deal with toxic situations” and their advice was literally “own what you did to cause it.” Just the weirdest victim blamey rhetoric, I was so taken aback. I’ve heard other professionals say things like “wanting our abusers to seek help is actually a selfish form of control that we have to release” Like no, wanting someone to get help and stop abusing you isn’t selfish?? It’s sad how refreshing and uncommon it is to finally hear a sensible take that isn’t a new age spin on blaming or shaming the victim trying to navigate abuse.

[@merriferrell2818]

There are so many cults that claim we create our own realities, that place 100% of the burden of everything, from disease to social situations on you. Yes, our perception and response matter and can influence our mental health and actions, but we are in constant dialogue with other people personally and globally

[@flyinggnocchi]

I found out that the original phrase was "pull yourself up by your bootstraps and see if you float." It was supposed to be a criticism of people who told others to pull themselves together, rub some dirt on it, and move on. And then the people who it was supposed to shame co-opted it. 🤦‍♀️

[@mhall383]

While it's inappropriate for people to blame people who survived trauma from their family, we do need to consider “what will happen if they never get help?” It's entirely possible that they won't, especially if the family member has narcissistic personality disorder. I identify with a lot of the description of J Doe, and the family sounds very familiar. Since there are plenty of family members who don't “believe in therapy,” it may overall not be worth the energy of trying to get them to change. Personally, I know I can want my family to change all I'd like, but it doesn't mean that it will actually change anything. I see it as accepting that some people suck and try to keep moving forward for my peace. It's hard to balance not ruminating about our situation and feeling what we are going to feel in that moment. I'm not sure if some of this has to do with the prefrontal cortex not developing until about age 25 or not, so it can be easier to get lost in our feelings when the individual is under that age. This can be especially true if the person is not neurotypical. It's more complicated than most people make it seem. I doubt that most of the Boomer generation are informed of what we know now. Perhaps their reactions are because they found that if they did talk about these things, most people would stop talking to them, so they either “pushed it down” or took their own lives when they couldn't cope.

[@xLiLlyx98]

​@@mhall383yeah it's not healthy to get hung up on/have your healing depend on someone else getting therapy (codependency?) yet I wouldn't call someone selfish for wanting their abuser to get help or just stop in general. That's just reasonable and healthy

[@GayHimbo]

@@mhall383 I agree people have numerous reasons and influencing factors behind anything they do. but I dislike responding to abusers with a “well, lets look at both sides” standpoint. if someone is consistently doing harm to me, I’m generally not more invested in their mental health and emotional history than my own, you know? its not irrelevant! but I would be so annoyed if my abuser starts going into their traumas of the past when theyre literally traumatizing me in the present with no remorse or self awareness. I think its entirely reasonable for people to not want to be abused and to either ask for the abuser to change or to leave. neither is always realistic in every situation of course. but if an abuser refuses to change, I personally feel like the highest priority is finding a safe environment away from that person, not to do their inner child work for them. (tbh even if they do try to change it doesnt always mean its safe to stay) not everyone can do that, and I strongly agree its important to consider what to do if an abuser doesnt seek help or you cant leave. that honestly doesnt get talked about enough! so much of what ive seen w traumawork positions the trauma and abuse in the past tense. sometimes you have to develop survival strategies to cope with living in a pervasively traumatic environment, like attempting to appease/heal/therapize/serve your abuser. it’s especially difficult for people that still have to fill those roles as adults, who’ve had to fill those roles all their lives. people w disabilities for example are often more isolated and may have extra barriers like not being able to live alone or having medical conditions/equipment that cant be transported easily. I wouldnt blame anyone for doing what they have to do to survive abuse when they have no recourse. but I dont know if id say its advisable. my point was really just that ive witnessed professionals shaming victims and holding them responsible for their own abuse and desires to not abused. I wasnt saying that the only option is to attempt to get family members to go to therapy though. every situation is unique and has to be handled carefully imo.

[@twilit]

it’s like people are angry they’re being asked to hear someone’s pain. they repress their feelings and demand you do also. if they were really so healthy wouldn’t they be providing support rather than essentially saying shut up and out on a fake persona?

[@juliedacosta8841]

That's the thing I think. The emotional neglect that causes one child in the family to have a victim mindset can cause another child to have an anti-victim mindset. This means they refuse to allow their feeling of being a victim and repress them. Then they become highly critical of themself if these feelings arise in themselves or others. They are hyper responsible and blame themselves for everything rather than blaming others. Both poles are unhealthy but together form a balance within the family.

[@KM-ur8ki]

Thank you for mentioning that our inner child always wants to “test” if the family system will be there for us. I always kick myself after “testing” and being disappointed again. But it’s a good reminder that it’s the inner child in me that still wants that from my family, even though my adult self knows it’s probably not possible.

[@auntsasa6072]

This!

[@ashannaredwolf8485]

That stuck out to me, too, because even now as I’m pushing 40, I’m still “testing” to see if I’m good enough. 🙃

[@frequentj1]

Yes! I’m 49 and I still find myself ‘forgetting’ and testing the relationship. Immediate wake-up call!

[@orielwiggins2225]

I do this all the time, tho it's not family, it's new or old friends who I apparently didn't get the message from the first time, they can't handle any expression of negative emotions. At all. They are highly averse. And pretty hurtful in spite of how positive they think they are

[@thesehandsart]

This one hit me too, I'm having a hard time fully accepting it...

[@janiceelaine]

As an SA survivor, I've learned that "believing survivors" really needs to mean so much more than believing that survivors aren't lying. Believing survivors needs to mean that we believe that traumatic events happened *and* we need to believe that there is real, ongoing trauma that stems from those events. In other words, not just about believing that something happened in the past, but about believing survivors about their experiences and struggles in the present. Thanks so much for this video. It's definitely one of your most helpful videos for my journey. I'm really looking forward to your upcoming insights on religious abuse.

[@kategenn8944]

Me too!

[@ayesha8809]

But the thing is there are also people who misuse the "believe survivors" thing by just outright lying. There should be safeguards in place in both instances. I'm not trying to be contradictory, I'm on board with you that yes survivors should be believed but I've also seen the other side where someone can outright lie about being a survivor of some kind of abuse and ruin the supposed "abusers" life even though nothing happened. Sigh what a world.

[@magicalspacegiraffe]

@@ayesha8809 I think it's meant more in 1:1 situations, if someone is telling their story treat it as real to their face. I had a situation where a female friend said her ex is abusive turned out he threw her out because she cheated. I don't regret helping her out, but I also didn't go around telling everyone her story, ruining his reputation. And in serious cases courts, police won't convict anyone without evidence, that's what they'll tell you before you even file a police report - don't bother if you don't have witnesses or physical evidence. There's not that many criminal masterminds faking evidence "Gone Girl" style, but it is police's job to prove it is fake. And of course there's consequences if evidence is proven to be false. I mean, I don't know where you're from, but I have friends who disclosed their childhood and adulthood stories, but I personally don't know anyone who has been accused of stuff out of court and got their life ruined. Knowing to ruin the life it has to be a public event I feel like we would see that in our personal circles more often if that was a common thing.

[@flyinggnocchi]

@@ayesha8809 False. Reports. Are. Exceptionally. Rare.

[@chiaraintagliata7297]

Also if it happened in the past doesn't mean it's not something horrible, even if it didn't have repercussions in the present that's still something horrific that happened to us, that someone did to us, nobody should experience those things.

[@lisawanderess]

“Victim, victim, victim, you’re always playing the victim” said every abuser in my life ever 😢

[@christinajackson3461]

Yet when you stand up and speak up suddenly it turns to "I can't believe you said that!" With THEM playing the victim. Hahaha talk about low IQ.

[@user-gz4ve8mw9l]

This resonates with so many of us. I hope you find yourself in a better, safer place today.

[@abigirlll]

As an abuse survivor, I find that it can be a really lonely place to be. It seems that most people either don't understand my situation and try to "fix" my feelings because it makes them uncomfortable, or that they are shaming (whether they realize it or not) and are not supportive. As I was talking about my struggle with connecting to others regarding my very present past, my amazing counselor said, "Doing the hard work of facing your past (of trauma/abuse) and trying to better yourself in spite of the wrongs done to you is rarely celebrated and that is a shame." She is a wonderful soul who always celebrates me for the hard work I'm doing in trying to find healing from the years of abuse/trauma that I have faced. And so I say to every person here that is doing the hard work to overcome the things that you should have never had to experience: I celebrate you and all of the hard work you're putting in to find healing for yourself. You're doing an amazing job and I'm so very proud of you. ❤

[@LucyjayneH]

Thank you. ❤

[@susetecarvalho6305]

🙏

[@robyn2014]

Wow this made me cry. Thank you sharing and I’m proud of you too ❤

[@abigirlll]

@@robyn2014 ❤

[@rebeccajohnson2231]

❤❤❤❤

[@queenjahneen100]

There is a book by Patricia Evans called "Controlling People" that explains how in childhood when a parent tells the child after they fall "You're just trying to make a scene and get attention" it disconnects the child from themselves and makes the child not trust their own inner guidance. Of course, if you fell you want love and support, but was mirrored back was "You're making a scene and want attention." My biological father did everything in that book and then some. Patricia Evans also wrote "The verbally abusive relationship." I would say as a lay person who has experienced psychotically intense childhood trauma that people don't seem to understand the value of a human being which seems to cause them to minimize abuse and trauma and downplay it. It's a gazillion times worse than those people acknowledge. They are in denial.

[@leahflower9924]

And parents know what they're doing they know their injecting their stupid poison slowly in their kid

[@dorisallen100]

Thank you for sharing the title of the book.

[@tahiyamarome]

Why on earth do we not look at such parents and pointedly ask them "so you think you can be a parent and only give your children attention when YOU feel like it?"

[@erikavaleries]

Patricia Evans made me finally understand abuse - a wonderful author for healing.

[@im_bobby_mom]

I once had sliced of a thin piece of skin on my knee and felt faint after. The skin just freaked me out, my Mam gave out to me for lying down in case I fainted. She was so angry! Said I was being dramatic.

[@cleols5433]

Very triggered by those troll comments and half-safe bullshitters !! This world is indeed very narcissistic and hard to navigate for childhood trauma survivors, but I get so encouraged in living my truth and continue the healing process thanks to your teachings and the bigger community that gets it right; thank you so much !!

[@jenb131]

I was shocked at the troll comments on the Instagram post. I wish people would watch the video before commenting so they understood what the topic was about.

[@tiptopdadddy]

I think of it as “the shitty golden rule”, these people project the shittiness they feel about themselves on to others, hate others as you hate yourself

[@dorisallen100]

You said everything I feel!❤️

[@MaureenWHamblin]

Those half safer bullshitters are the worst!! The outright mean ones feel “safer” sometimes coz at least we know where they stand!!

[@sorormimm493]

You should be triggered because this is a fucked up video that should have never been posted. Used to be a fan of this channel, but fuck this pretend therapist.

[@cinderella4499]

My sister said that to me, “ Oh you think you are such a victim” when I hadn’t said anything but confront her behavior. I said nothing while she spewed all kinds of hate on me. I realized she was projecting and in that moment it freed me from my own self doubt and caring what she thought.

[@kayjay7585]

Wow. I've been having similar realizations by going through past interactions with my brother. He didn't accuse me of being a victim, but he would blame me for my parents abusive behavior, make excuses for them and trivialize my issues. I've been finally coming to realize that he was brought up in the same dysfunctional, emotionally psychologically abusive environment, so of course he will protect it. It's all he knows.

[@eelfood]

Yay. Good job. 👏🏻 Love these kind of breakthroughs. ❤

[@jlockwood65]

and I still find there same kind id thing in friends I choose. Im going back for a more concise antidote plan. thanks!

[@comoane]

Great, my little sister did the same over and over again and I had enough. Haven’t seen her in four years.

[@Rose_Ou]

Susan Forward wrote in one of her books that if you happen to come across a therapist who tells you "maybe it's time to let go, don't you think?" or " your mother was a victim, too" or "your parents did the best they could" etc. just leave and don't come back. This is an indication of BAD therapist. Anyone who reacts this way doesn't want your problem to ruin their 'peace' of mind, they are frustrated with the way you want to deal with things, they're simply triggered. At 47 I think I have tried it all, but the only thing that really works for me is being mindfull, aware of what is happening, aware of my own body and thoughts.

[@terrim3958]

Agreed. I would love to meet with a counselor who showed true curiosity and empathy; who could mirror back to me in a good enough way.

[@queenofwandsastrology8907]

I saw something on social media a couple of weeks ago where the person was talking about one of their psych classes and someone in class said something about well what if the client is just trying to get attention? The professor looked straight at them and said "what's wrong with someone wanting attention?" The student legit said they had no answer for that. That post really stuck with me. Especially for childhood and family trauma that is a really valid question. What is wrong with wanting or needing attention and validation because that's exactly what they didn't get. At least not the kind of attention that makes them feel safe and comforted and happy. But also most parents just want kids to be compliant so they don't have to deal too much with them. I get a lot of those parents are also dealing with trauma themselves, but it's also the culture of toxic positivity that absolutely comes from the spiritual community who also just want compliance from the general population.

[@surewhatever8843]

This is something with which I’ve struggled. If someone - especially your own child - is seeking your attention, why is that bad? If you can help them feel safe, you can help them learn different ways to ask for attention if the behavior associated with seeking attention is destructive or harmful to themselves or others.

[@Natty183]

Yes, I feel this all the way in my body! It's like some people figure out what you need, just to make sure you don't get it. Then when you respond or react about the reality that your (reasonable) needs are ignored and as a person the situation is invalidating, they call you crazy. Even if you unemotionally just state it like that. I've been calling it "the impossible position" lately. I'm done with impossible positions. I'm infuriating to the toxic people around me right now...

[@fozziebean]

@@foxyfox9196 That's a horrible situation that you've been in. I hope you're living somewhere safer now.

[@NoMoreHeroesAnymore1334]

THIS THIS THIS! I tried explaining that to my spawn point even as a CHILD: OF COURSE kids want "attention" they need to be parented. We are social creatures, EVERYONE wants attention, and you certainly need attention when you're in distress! But they CRIMINALIZE normal human reactions to their abuse to justify the continued abuse!

[@carolinemills7229]

I'll answer that one! The reason it's a problem to other people is one of two things I have learned and observed. 1. That person learned how to surpress their needs because they were shamed for wanting attention and now they are doing it to others (If I can't have it why should you?) or 2. They want to redirect everyone's attention to themselves and someone else needing it is competition because the believe there is a finite amount and it should all go to them.

[@fabbi9548]

People of "hush hush" generations are used to sweeping things under the rug because awareness is scary. I say tear down the whole dysfunctional house and rebuild a healthier one. 🔥

[@nancybartley4610]

It takes a long time for some of us to realize and admit the truth of what happened to us. During that time we are definitely not playing the victim. In fact, many of us believe that something was wrong with us, not our parents or siblings. We don't start the journey to healing until we realize we were not totally the perpetrator and that something in our family was very wrong. In other words, we begin to realize something happened to us which we as kids had no control over. We have to come to realize and accept that we were victims. Once we admit this we are ready to undo our victimhood, to stop being victims. It is absolutely necessary for us to say we were victims and yet society points at us and makes us believe we are so wrong for telling the truth.

[@hiya1399]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="2496">41:36</a> "you were never safe. And you need your day in court with your family emotionally where you can have someone witness and experience a little bit of justice and move on and experience some grief" That's all I ever wanted. Not sympathy, not pity, just someone acknowledging it wasn't safe and witness/experience some justice.

[@mando074]

I recently had to tell someone that even though I'm seeking help with childhood trauma I don't want people to think I'm trying to look like a victim. I don't want them feeling sorry for me. I just want them to understand that this whole thing is needed for me to get better. I'm so tired of feeling shame. It's tough to explain to them or anyone what's going on.

[@rookiej5587]

Seeing pity in the eyes of other people for me makes me even more embarrassed and anxious.

[@mando074]

@@rookiej5587 yeah, they might mean well but they don't really understand and it does make it worse.

[@godschildyes]

I understand. ❤

[@nobodynowhere21]

@@shinkamui you're saying this is like when someone says, "i'm not racist, but..."? i'm not disagreeing.

[@bensweiss]

I'm sorry you are feeling that way.

[@Gloroxsocks]

Those comments really unsettled me because it’s like each time I’ve opened up to someone, anything they’ve had to say has fallen along those lines so I’ve just given up

[@hannahh8696]

As survivors, it's so common that the first time we tell a therapist the story of our painful abuse they jump straight in to giving us an 'explanation' (read: judgement) around the behaviour and motivations of our abuser, instead of simple acceptance and validation. When we first open up, we're usually nowhere near being able to recognise our experiences of the abuse as valid and real. The last thing we need is for someone to immediately make the story all about the abuser's perspective, yet again, instead of our own. I went deep into a rabbit hole with the 'victim mindset' stuff for a long while, and my poor inner child was mired in shame thinking she was still "selfish" and "pathetic". Thank you for this, Patrick. It's incredibly validating.

[@plutooliver686]

Exactly ❤

[@z7z7z7z7]

So sorry to see so many common experiences like this, but this video and the comments are like a warm blanket right now. We are not alone in suffering from our traumas, or being gaslit into believing we really were just horrible after all. All the love to everyone❤

[@AlexPostScript]

Toxic positivity is most definitely a thing, the one who was abused isn't CHOOSING to be caught up in it, their healing process has been a vast majority of the time actively sabotaged and they need help figuring out how to heal, all those people invalidating just adds insult to injury, they are ALREADY feeling invalidated because they were taught to do it to THEMSELVES.

[@rhythmandblues_alibi]

Exactly this.

[@jordane8526]

The people that say “suck it up buttercup” are the same people that go on to dump their trauma onto their own children 🙄 They may seem “fine” and “doing better than you do” for now but that’s a thin illusion. They are diving head first into a world of nonsense. You’re doing amazing whoever you are 🤍🕊

[@Fandoms4Life]

100% these are my parents fr. Even now she says to just ignore things and is not even willing to acknowledge how her mindset can be different to her as a person

[@oOIIIMIIIOo]

Those people chose the bully path.

[@mjaye1712]

The platitudes and breezy positivity are so dismissive of people's experiences.

[@taggartlewis6314]

I love when he acts out the reaction of Jay, “wow, you’re right I should just let my sexual abuse go, I’ve been marinating in this stuff way too long.😂” I want to do that when people are invalidating and tell you to toughen up

[@gwenniferelbedour]

This is such a huge help to the community! We are a country of “toughen up buttercup” Philosophy. No one wants to even examine their own psychology for fear of being called “milking the victim mentality”. There should be a balance between self examination and armoring up.

[@handkmommy]

I had a workman’s comp doctor say I was being reinforced in my “victim mentality” because I have PTSD. I was sexually assaulted while at work. Had to go to court etc. Developed PTSD a few months in and had a hard relapse. That kind of gaslighting is as damaging as the original trauma.

[@m.maclellan7147]

OW ! WTF !? I am OUTRAGED for you. Talk about rubbing salt in the wounds ! Hope you can find some peace.

[@orielwiggins2225]

That doc should not be able to practice, on so many levels that's wrong. Sending love and rest and healing.

[@coldistheshoulder]

So much abuse of power goes on by doctors in this position. I was also abused and harmed at work and the same thing happened to me, the finger got pointed back at me and I was the one put on trial despite being the one who was harmed initially and then harmed further after reporting what happened. This kind of behavior by "mental health professionals" is just next level fucked up not to mention an egregious abuse of power. Seeing how addicts receive compassion and empathy for their struggles now it makes me wish I was an alcoholic or something as if I was I'd finally get the support and understanding to deal with the problem I was looking for. Never would have thought reporting workplace abuse of me would have resulted in a full on take down of myself, my character and my career, but that's what happened. Watching this video was like putting balm on a wound that still hasn't healed, but the wound is still there just the same. There are just so many completely not just blitheringly incompetent people drawing paycheques as therapists but abjectly destructive individuals who somehow think telling me how I am without understanding me or my life at all is somehow helpful, socially constructive, or the morally / ethically correct thing to do. There is no such thing as accountability in the field of therapy when it comes to behavior like this. The response is always caveat emptor with the responsibility always put back to the client, which is wrong. This entire field is a practical fail for me this reason due to its aversion to acccountability and all the ways it subtly abuses its power when (not) serving people like you and me. Despite all the good of the content I don't agree with Patrick's declaration of humanity evolving, no no no...thats just his privilege and wealth speaking. Having experienced what i have, there's no other conclusion I can logically draw other than humanity is decidedly not evolving, but is headed for damnation in all kinds of ways. Endless waves of abusive nonsense like this is proof that humanity is likely coming to an end for its tragic failure and inability to evolve in the ways it needs. There are those on this planet in positions of power over others who are devils and they will never willingly give up their power, they will completely destroy this place and any good person left in it before they submit their personal will and desire to control it and everything on it. As much as I appreciate Patrick countering the offensive narrative so many of us have received, the light is not enough to make much of a difference on this giant pile of fail we call planet earth

[@SaintTrinianz]

I've noticed that it's often the people who have attacked you repeatedly and viciously that are the first to sneer and label you a victim, especially if you're attempting to solve real problems...

[@stealthwarrior5768]

Doctors seem to be so good at ignorant and abusive behaviour like that. Nobody calls them out on it. They are treated like they are gods.

[@tonyasargent57]

I think it's hard to blame our parents. Because as children we are programed to love them. But it is an important part of the healing.

[@watersignCHOLA214]

Whenever I try to talk out my childhood trauma and abuse feelings with my mom from my father (her ex husband) it gets difficult because she just wants me to let it go. I told her you’ve been through his abuse as well. I know you didn’t let it go. I’ve told her look at our bad habits to cope in life when it gets hard. We do the same thing. We medicate. All she can say is she’s moved on etc. I have to tell her I’m not mad at you. I hate him. Even today he blames me for it by ignoring me. We’ve haven’t talked in over 15+ years. My older sister is the same way as him. Same ugliness, center of attention and has to control the agenda. We are not close. Anyone that has the same traits as my father I either have a problem with or I just don’t bother with.

[@susanherbert4151]

And most of society will take the parent's side as if every parent is perfect... which is utter b.s.

[@tonyasargent57]

@@susanherbert4151 That is so true. Also emotional abuse usually gets ignored, and that can be so damaging. I think not putting the blame where it belongs makes the guilt and shame fall back on the child. This is true for me.

[@CikisHelyzet]

It is very hard. I agree. Particularly if it looks like you’re expressing that your MOTHER had flaws. Mothers get excused for everything because we have unrealistic expectations of mothers that they often cannot meet. We can’t acknowledge that there are a lot of shitty mothers out there because then we may have to examine the imbalance of our social structures and our expectations of motherhood. The (invisible) burdens that women shoulder in child rearing is disproportionate to what men experience. And let’s face it, if we tell women the truth about Motherhood, women might choose the autonomy of not having children. Instagram would probably collapse if every women on there didn’t list their first credential as “Proud Mother”, (men, not you. You just list your ‘real’ accomplishments) Because Motherhood is wonderful! Have babies! Who will take care of you in old age? Don thank get FOMO! But in reality, on the whole women suffer a lot of abuse in our societies. Why the hell are they entrusted to care for the most vulnerable (without being pressured into it, or getting therapy)? Many of our ill-equipped mothers may have opted out, had we corrected the bs narrative that ‘when you see that baby you will fall in love!” Money, marriage, or Motherhood is not going to change you if you’re damaged and not doing the work. Do not encourage everyone to have children.. it’s reckless and irresponsible.

[@Babka113]

Patrick uses the phrase “holding parents accountable” which is imo a constructive way of understanding your past story while healing and moving forward

[@karen0karen]

goddamnit I HATE it when families protect sexual predators and shame the victim.

[@user-cz5lj2vx1f]

Happened to me, too.

[@billyb4790]

I also hate it when a therapist uses “they” pronouns needlessly for nearly an hour.

[@sloanecore]

@@billyb4790almost like abuse can happen regardless of gender 🤯

[@billyb4790]

@@sloanecore yes except he was fully aware of this person's gender but opted instead for the ultra-hip PC non-binary reference to score those sweet virtue points.

[@vladrapchan5330]

Been thinking a lot about this. Calling "victimization" our own acknowledgement of our traumas - and the pain, grief and sorrow that comes with it - is the worst thing for people getting in contact with their own past. Let one cry as much as I want. Let one relive their past as much as they can handle. It might actually be their first time.

[@Shortstacksandticktacks]

Assuming they are being genuine and not just a troll, the bootstrap/move on crowd ALWAYS supress their own emotions with psych meds, alcohol, shopping, workaholism, vacations, achieving, food, religion, vapid entertainment, etc. A person who actually processed their trauma and moved on would never say these things to a fellow survivor.

[@name5876]

Exactly

[@l.2620]

​​@Rachel Forshee It takes skill when to know if you should process or manage your trauma. Yes, some people ravel in their depression, but others deny and deny to the point of self destruction. This video is obviously for the people that have been shamed into downplaying their own childhood trauma instead of working through it. What exactly are you trying to archive by playing the devils advocate under such a specific video? I'm not saying you're wrong necessarily, but very tone deaf here.

[@l.2620]

@Rachel Forshee I see, I agree with you on that. Have a nice day

[@Nwnatves]

Agree.

[@ferelithian]

I was told I'm playing the victim by a so called trauma therapist. She assumed this about me because I function in a "career" (which I hate but pais well). She also shamed me for even seeking help. Apparently one has to be poor to qualify as a trauma survivor in her mind. She was extremely disrespectful and condescending. In retrospect I should have just stood up and left. "Therapists" like her can cause so much damage. I had already watched a few of your videos so it threw me back but I got over it.

[@m.maclellan7147]

I would report her to the appropriate people. NOW ! YOU had the skills to walk away from her gas lighting abuse, someone else might take their life. She has no right to shame ANYONE that asks for help ! WTF is she a therapist for ?! What a horrible person she is.

[@orielwiggins2225]

@@m.maclellan7147 I second this. If you can, please report her. She should NOT be in that position at all. It could cost lives.

[@ferelithian]

@@m.maclellan7147 That was my impulse as well. However it is not easy to do that here in Germany and apparently nothing really comes of it. I would have otherwise.

[@flyinggnocchi]

@@ferelithian I hope you’ve found a better support network. You deserve it. ❤

[@nothingthere3959]

Yeah, that's horrible... I've seen recently so called "professional" similar to that too. Luckily for me it wasn't during a session, only during a discussion about PTSD in general and someone, who claimed to be "experienced professional", jumped into conversation and ridiculed everyone. That person said that PTSD is "extremely rare" (bullshit) and "happens only if someone is directly threatened to be killed, like in having a gun being pointed to their head", so "we shouldn't worry about having or getting it". I was so angry, that was such extremely stupid and insensitive thing to say. Description of PTSD does include experiencing of a life threat, but it doesn't have to be so literally. It's like they have read a textbook and memorised the contents, but haven't understood what all that actually means. And it wasn't first time "professional" or "psychology major student" took things way too literally, it has happened before, just the subject of discussion was less infuriating and more laughable. Issues with professional education, I guess. :(

[@melissaklingaman5256]

Thanks! I am completely misunderstood, miserable. I have just been diagnosed with schizophrenia along with CPTSD, PTSD I’m 52. Literally my condition has been untreated until current time.I survived severe physical, emotional, neglect, abuse, as a child from my family of origin it is continual. Every single waking moment is a struggle. The only time I am happy is when I’m dreaming. I can’t hold a job. I have no friends. The one existing relationship I have is being held together by a single thread. HELP

[@Bojan_V]

💚

[@deSeriosa]

Hi Melissa. Do you need someone to talk to? I hope you know that none of this is your fault

[@kryssalou]

💯💯 can relate. realized at 32 during extreme burn out exactly how toxic my family is. getting sober showed me I deserve more, but I literally cannot function and at stuck living with toxic family without a clue how to get out of the situation. I don’t have a single person in my life, my dog is literally keeping me afloat by the minute.

[@wormisjunkd]

@@kryssalou i hear ya, same here. shit is difficult. peace love and best of luck

[@melissaklingaman5256]

Thanks everybody, it really helps to know I’m not the only person to be so misunderstood and miserable. I appreciate all of your support. How kind. Thank you again for the gentle and genuine healing support.

[@Jennicorn]

This is such a good reminder! As survivors we're programmed to question ourselves instead of the person attacking us. Our "bullshit tolerator" is set way too high and it's hard to tell when someone has poorly conveyed good intentions, or is just plain mean. We often don't realize how messed up things are until later. If something just feels off to you, listen to yourself. Later in your healing, you'll see what was going on and be glad you did.

[@MaksimY_]

Yup, that bs toleration is a real problem too on the workfloor. People are shocked when I tell them my work stories. Good thing I'm no longer at that place

[@user-cz5lj2vx1f]

Well said & sound input. Thanks!!!

[@aimeelee1233]

“We don’t let toxic people tell us who we are anymore.” Those were some of the most powerful words that truly provided validation when I was in my darkest time last year and heard it for the first time. How you reach and help people, Patrick, truly is an amazing thing that so many are grateful for. Having been raised in a fundamentalist religious cult, I wanted nothing to do with Christianity. In first searching for answers years ago, I found spirituality. It didn’t help. It kept me stuck, shamed, and enabling my abusers. So much of what this video shines light on. This was difficult to watch but I’m so incredibly grateful as I am with each one.

[@BestversionofKP]

I honestly feel the exact same way

[@aimeelee1233]

@@BestversionofKP I’m glad we are here now and finally have some truly healthy guidance

[@NancyWindheart]

@Aimee Lee this was also my experience, both with fundamentalist Christianity and also with “new age” spirituality. Toxicity in another form. Thank you for sharing your experience.

[@ripj5301]

I have my own version of that quote that I developed to protect myself from abusive people. “I don’t let idiots convince me that I’m a moron” It’s a personal rule I have for coping with toxic people who attack my intelligence because they can’t argue against the logic behind my ideas that question their own. Avoid those people at all costs, they will always try to make themselves feel superior at your expense, no matter how illogical (and wrong) their behavior makes them look.

[@DariDariDari]

Yes!!!!! "I am taking back my story" has had the same effects on me as well, just different phrasing. We got this everyone.

[@lordfreerealestate8302]

The hurtful "don't be a victim" statement that people tell trauma survivors/mentally ill can be a problem. It is a part of toxic positivity and the myth that happiness is just a choice or mindset change. I recently opened up about trauma only to have someone tell me "it's a victim mindset" if I'm not completely, magically healed right away. It's okay to recognize you were victimized. It's okay to not be okay sometimes. And I won't let anyone explain my own experience to me.

[@orielwiggins2225]

@@supernova2875 oh, yes! That's perfect. Thanks for sharing it

[@ShintogaDeathAngel]

@@supernova2875 my counsellor is a big proponent of Gabor Mate’s work - I haven’t read any of his books yet, but I’m starting to see why she likes him. That quote makes a lot of sense.

[@TheLiquidCat]

It always baffled me when people say "Don't be a victim" or "They have such a victim mentality". Yes, of course they do, they were victimised and they need to process it without morons making them feel shameful for having perfectly normal feelings and responses to what they experienced. Would these people also say "Stop feeling pain " if you broke your arm? It's beyond logic to me.

[@orielwiggins2225]

@@TheLiquidCat saaaame!

[@leeow3n]

I have a feeling everyone who had a childhood is a trauma survivor with an inner child that still has an impact on their present life. It's not an us vs them dichotomy. It's a we're in the trauma jungle scenario.

[@j0yfulblessings]

" Confusing seeking help with seeking attention when those two things are night and day." 😔

[@denisemangan1413]

My father sexually abused us 3 kids. Mother a narcissist. When she found out, I was 20, she was raging & never spoke to me the same for years. She never even asked questions. Made me the scapegoat- so that family didn’t believe me. Therapist said, ‘You’re playing the victim’. Husband said, ‘Get over it’ Luckily another therapist said that is her history. It’s like when I was 7, there was a switch and I wasn’t the same anymore. I developed acute OCD as a child & Anorexia at 17yrs old. I feel better now, but I still have elements of OCD and I will never forget what happened to me. So, I feel your right it’s too threatening for others to contend with. Now I try to listen to someone else’s trauma or burden with empathy. I’ve always wanted information like this. Thank you for the your expertise 🇦🇺🙏🇺🇸

[@auntsasa6072]

This was spot on and I now feel validated. I'm just so angry that it took more than 50 years. Experiencing grief I cannot put into words.

[@orielwiggins2225]

Sending love and hugs for the moments when the grief wants to be held.

[@MassMultiplayer]

[@TARIQLES]

@@MassMultiplayer feeling the pain! Sending love your way!

[@mjaye1712]

"We don't let toxic people tell us who we are." This.

[@thecrapartistx]

My mother is a psych therapist who abused the living hell out of me and tells me to get over it now that I am in my 40s.

[@dylanmccaskill643]

“Positivity is helpful to rally somebody out of the human condition I think, but telling a trauma survivor that they should be positive and forego processing abuse is like treating cancer with a diabetes medication. It’s just off… …we’re most likely not going to educate the general public in being less triggered and being more empathic; and these ideas are for your own healing and reclaiming your own perception of yourself, and your process that the abuse was real and it matters, and there’s nothing wrong with you for speaking your truth or seeking answers.” Thank you for this one, Patrick. I’ve had a lot of bad therapy I think, and was raised by two deeply traumatized people. I’ve got a lot of problems that I’ve still maybe only just scratched the surface of, but I really needed to hear this affirmation today.

[@user-cs4fg7bh4r]

I quite liked what Teal said: sometime you are a victim

[@gretchenrobinson825]

I'm not a Victim even though I was victimized. I'm a survivor and years of personal work have made me a Thriver.

[@fairygurl9269]

💔💝💗💞

[@charissecrenshaw1577]

🎉❤

[@susanherbert4151]

I like "victor" for a label.

[@MassMultiplayer]

im a sentient being that try not hurt unnessesarily other sentient being and not be hurt unnesesarily. the rest is optional and unimportant. respect my life while i eat baby lamb sauce

[@ML-vm8we]

What’s wrong with the word “victim”? Why do so many people have an aversion to it? We need to reclaim it, because it’s the truth and there’s no shame in it.

[@angelinechitemere635]

I was accused of trying to play the victim and yet they knew I had been mugged just after work, so when I complained about leaving work late their answer was you aren't a victim anymore. Now i see they also have trauma that they do not want to address and it scares them when I talk about it.

[@plantlady5369]

One of the worst things I was told was "no wonder you don't have any friends" and for the life of me I can't figure out how to make that one stop making me cry. It is true that I can't hold down a friendship. That makes it hurt so much more. I don't know how to make this stop making me suffer. But if I tell people my feelings they will instantly think I'm trauma dumping or telling a "sob story"

[@ghostbooger4534]

I was told the exact same thing from my mom and it absolutely crushed my soul. I see you and empathize with you.

[@bookbeing]

I'm so sorry for your hurts. 💙Those statements about you were mean spirited and not true. You are a good person who endured some insensitive uncaring behavior from caregivers who didn't behave in a caring way. 🫂. Hugs to you. I hope you can fill your life with substitute surrogate family members who can show love and kindness and actually see your light and encourage you.

[@plantlady5369]

@ghostbooger 💙

[@plantlady5369]

@@bookbeing I have a good husband. We both have some 👜. It's more apparent with a child. I was told something recently by someone who would know about these things. I was told something important about how husband's sometimes work against their wives with very dependent new children. I do not feel as bad now because I know what it is. It's a story as old as the nuclear family itself

[@cecilyerker]

Friends of any value are hard to come by for everyone these days. Man’s rejection is God’s protection. Whatever your beliefs, it would help to write down what you would value in a friend and why, and then you can look for those traits as you meet new people, or you can even give those gifts to yourself.

[@LilBrownieD]

Those social media comments are so, so hurtful 😞

[@ced7617]

My parents were always allowed to make themselves victims but not me. Idk if golden children can make themselves victims. But definitely not scapegoats. My parents always told me "who cares?" And then would go on a rant about how they've had it harder than me. Or did I want a medal. Lol I could never come out to my family. I remember watching batman forever as a child and having a crush on Chris O'Donnell and Nicole Kidman. I wrote this in my diary. I wanted to marry both of them. I was like 5/6. Well of course my parents read it and sat me down to tell me at 5/6 that I'll end up in hell if I like women and it's a very bad thing/ way to be. I didn't know what I had done wrong. I had pray for a week so God would forgive me. I didn't even know what lgbt was. It was the mid 90s. I just thought Nicole Kidman was pretty lol. And the people who comment defensively are triggered because they never processed their own trauma. It's a family systems thing so it's generational trauma. Also they probably have the mentality "well I suffered so you have to suffer the same". They didn't break the cycle. That is their shame.

[@m.maclellan7147]

Also raised by religious Narc mother who used religion as a CLUB. To heck with THAT !

[@BlueHazyDreams]

I wasn't honest with myself about my attraction to girls until age 14. I never talked about it before then with my parents and they're generally allies, but I was raised Catholic so my mom didn't need to be so narcissistic herself as the church taught me just how defective and evil I was for... being a human child with emotions.

[@ced7617]

@@m.maclellan7147 HECK YEAH!!!!! For me it was my stepdad that used religion for everything!! Also used it to be better than others too. Defeats the purpose of religion.......

[@CBrown86]

I grew up in a very religiously abusive (among all the other types) as well and I really saw myself in your story. Btw you are awesome and I hope you are doing great now!

[@ced7617]

@@CBrown86 Thank you! I appreciate your kindness 😊! I'm sure you're awesome too and I'm sorry you can also relate 😔. I'm in the process of getting there. I only discovered this stuff like 2 yrs ago. I hope life is going great for you as well❤️~

[@sadiaarman363]

People like you who say the truth without being brainwashed by the common hype are such a blessing to the world community of trauma ridden victims of chronic childhood abuse and scapegoating! Toxic positivity, yes! Thank God for common sense!

[@Gemmarose9012]

People who stuff their stuff don’t want to hear honesty from those of us who now have found our voice. I understand what’s going on but it doesn’t make it any easier to listen to their negativity. This makes me feel extra relieved to find a safe and validating community here. Thank you!

[@bloominbean]

I've been thinking about this recently that much of the self help stuff online is shaming. One that comes to mind is calling codependency selfish. To me that implies that it's a conscious decision rather than a subconscious survival mechanism. Is it good for you now, no. Can it negatively impact your sense of self and relationships, yes. But often it isn't a conscious process. It's your limbic system hijacking your life because it feels threatened. Real or perceived threat. It makes sense to struggle with codependency when it has literally helped you survive and feel safe. It might get in the way now of authentic connection but it's not actively selfish.

[@Shortstacksandticktacks]

I thought people were supposed to behave codependently. I thought thats what you do when you care for someone. Its only recently Ive come to begin to know what healthy relationships look like.

[@bloominbean]

@@Shortstacksandticktacks same. It's conditioning right. So many times I've seen people who self sacrifice be praised as heroes, kind, good etc and that can reinforce the narrative of codependency. This good person conditioning. If I sacrifice my own ideas, wellbeing I'll receive love, attention and be told I'm good. But deciding you are good on your own terms means others opinions affect you less. Separate what you think about someone from how they make you feel. I might think someone is cool but how do they make me feel. Maybe they make me feel dismissed, like my opinions aren't important. Sending love and healing ✌️🧡

[@dapsolita]

Whenever someone tries to shame me for being "co dependant" , I re watch the still face experiment. Humans are designed to connect, at all costs.

[@anwensu4381]

Omg yes! And calling codependency and narcissism two sides of the same coin. Like just…stop . Also , I should probably gray rock, but I’m gonna need suggestions for a few epic clap backs to the “younger generation” attacks.

[@bloominbean]

@@anwensu4381 feel you on that. I hate the way the millennials and gen z are spoken about. The sort of people who say negative things about a whole generation or 2 are just very small minded and you can't argue with stupid 😂

[@Tilly850]

I was totally told by my abuser Mom to just LET IT GO. Yup. Like the "Disney ice movie" she said. Fortunately those words are in writing from her so I can review them when I forget...which happens when I occasionally tell myself what the world tries to say, "oh it wasn't that bad". Great video, Patrick. I needed to hear that today. As the scapegoat I followed along...the different yet similar story.

[@rebeccat9389]

That’s kind of ironic because Elsa is actually letting go of a bad situation where she can’t be herself. So… the opposite of what she’s saying lol.

[@orielwiggins2225]

@@rebeccat9389 right? That's what I was thinking.

[@luisapaza317]

"I am me and my circumstance" once wrote Ortega y Gasset. I have seen that there are even certain therapists who imply that despite the most difficult conditions you may find yourself surrounded by, you are the one who finds peace on your own. Which to me personally seems nwgacionista, condescending, and even insulting. Because I don't know who they are addressing it to, what kind of power situation the listener must be in to even allow themselves to be "immune to the environment". I say this because I am still in the same house where I suffered great situations of mistreatment during my childhood, of course I have been able to work on myself and have made progress in myself. But doesn't this also imply that you are a victim of your perpetrators by choice? Or that you are an immobile rock within the system? Don't you guys think so?

[@orielwiggins2225]

@@luisapaza317 I really struggle with those kinda sayings too. I think they end up functioning like a spiritual bypassing or often just flat out spiritual abuse. I'm sorry, especially if that came from folks who are supposed to be your support. I've been there for a long time. Fundamentalist churches and friends family did the same to me, and then I tried therapy with folks outside church and it sounded much like your quote. They say, as if it's as simple as, It's on you to not be bothered or wounded or still have any trouble left from the trauma and abuse you went thru, even if it was from childhood on.

[@MaureenWalsh-sm2rx]

Please speak of generational addiction and it's toxicity in the family . I'm seeing great narcissistic tendencies in my large addicted family that I never noticed before. I pushed for many of my addicts to get help , needless to say it worked but not necessarily how I thought. Now, I'm on to the new generation that's possibly worse that the original addicts. I'm 74 yrs old now and having to distance myself from the stronger addict. My life is more important to me finally, and I'm getting a ration of sh..!! I'm getting stronger in my health and desire to live and love myself without their support. Thank you for who you are, your thoughts and knowledge are so important.

[@YA-ju5vg]

I'm only halfway through the video but it is scary how much I relate to the scenario you laid out with "J". My dissociation and shame has gotten so bad that I'm questioning reality beyond my childhood traumas and self-gaslighting is something I've struggled with for a long time. Your videos are so incredibly validating, especially since I cannot currently afford therapy. Thank you for another very insightful video.

[@frequentj1]

It’s been a revelation that I was set up and forced into these roles that could then be used to demonstrate why I was ‘defective’. Like, THEY turned every dinner into a scream-fest at me, yet I was labeled the trouble maker who made it so the family couldn’t get along, even at dinner.

[@tiptopdadddy]

The constant feeling that I was in trouble or there would be an explosion of violence seemingly out of nowhere. What I know now is that I was used as the “thermostat” for regulating my family’s problems through rage, blame, abuse, sabotage and other forms of denying self esteem because if I ever “felt good about myself” I could expose some dark secrets. It wasn’t you, it was them projecting onto the things they couldn’t handle. Congratulate and celebrate yourself for walking through the fire and coming out the other side.

[@ripj5301]

Im so sorry you went through that treatment.

[@ripj5301]

@@tiptopdadddy I’m also sorry that you went through your experience too. I struggle with maintaining healthy “pride” as a form of self-love, because I’m conditioned to experience feeling proud of myself as a direct threat to my security. If I’m proud of myself, it will be the first target of abuse. And if I’m not proud of myself, my lack of pride will be targeted with abuse. I’m no-good whether I love myself or hate myself- it doesn’t matter how I feel, it’s always wrong for me to feel it. Oh god this comment hurt more than I thought it would...

[@RS54321]

I've had this kind of dismissal and 'this is how _I_ handled such and such situation' (giving off-handed advice) from so many people over the years, including well-meaning friends. It definitely creates this sense that one's own gut feeling/intuition can't be trusted and that one is 'too sensitive' and needs to just get over it b/c others are going through much worse things. Thanks for speaking into this.

[@juniper5272]

Wow, when Patrick was reading these comments I was completely terrified. I think I don't spend much time on the Internet reading comments, that's why. I remember asking for help online in 2008 when I had just got married and my parents behaved terribly toward both me and my husband. I was spending much time on one forum and asked people there what was wrong with me and how I could change the situation. A few people were blaming me and demanding to forgive my parents right on the spot (although the parents had never asked me to forgive them or apologized for anything), but the majority were horrified and advised to stay away from my nightmare of a family and live my separate life, and that's what I finally did. Thanks to these comments and one more online community about self-help I started my healing process which brought me to where I am now. People on that forum were the first ones who showed any support to me since my birth. I hope they are ok and live happily now.

[@user-cz5lj2vx1f]

As a SA survivor/C-PSTD myself, I REALLY appreciate your comment. I would be SO much healthier if I'd walked away far SOONER than I did (at age 42). It's the hardest thing to recognize that one's parent)s) are TOXIC for you--and that keeping them in your life makes it impossible to heal. But, I felt so RESPONSIBLE FOR MY MOTHER I couldn't dis-connect. I'd urge every survivor to at least TAKE A BREAK from your faily so, taht you can work on your own healing. The RELIEF of NOT being RE-TRAUMATIZED over & over again by her. Good luck on your journey. Thanks for sharing!!!

[@wen6519]

Therapist defending the mother and Asking Jay to see positivism = me internally screaming and wishing to scratch my face off 🙃

[@birichinaxox9937]

Thank you. I've always struggled with this. Especially after a school cancelor basically told me it was my fault i was getting bullied at age 13, the school and toxic friends reinforced it. And family always took strangers side. I still really struggled with toxic shame and finding the area of accepting and acknowledging my circumstances that are not my fault and actually finding self agency and permission to move forward and get unstuck. I don't want to be a "poor me" but haven't found that balance yet of being rightful pissed off when miss treated, taking all the blame for others behaviour towards me, or "can't win no matter what i do" getting late diagnosis of asd and cptsd has helped. That bubble of "everyone else can but im never allowed, im only allowed to watch everyone live, can't live myself" is so hard to break through.

[@rkgomes3875]

I am very interested in your video on religious abuse; for those of us who grew up in CULTS, as well as just how many people have that "forgive and forget and move on" mindset, which to me is very Christian "turn the other cheek" type stuff. To me, itʻs borderline toxic positivity and is definitely spiritual bypassing.

[@orielwiggins2225]

Me too. Please include the culty and even milder forms of spiritual abuse, like using spirituality to get compliance or demonize your valid complaint etc etc etc

[@meowmeow1stgen668]

Yes please! I am here for it too. Hello fellow survivors.

[@fishiefishies3245]

Fourthing this comment. I was almost 40 when I finally left the high-demand religion I grew up in, and religious trauma has been a huge issue.

[@LizzyAnn_Comedy]

I fifth this. Daughter of an Evangelical pastor and I don’t have the strength right now to go into details other than my life has been a lot of hell on earth

[@lamb11764]

Perfect timing. I was about to go into “water under the bridge” mode & move forward as though my past never existed. I just now realized,that would lead to more trauma by not allowing me to see perpetrators through my new rose colored glasses. I almost didn’t play this video. I’m glad I did. Thanks💝

[@CrystolynMacklin]

“We don’t let toxic people tell us who we are anymore.” WOW 🙌🏽 How is it that I feel so seen by a stranger than I ever have a “loved one”?? Thankful to have found this page ❤

[@llkellenba]

Crazy stuff - I relate to “magical thinking” believing various family members might become interested in a “different” more connected relationship. Even participate in healing from trauma and toxic family experiences. After multiple experiences bashing my head against that proverbial brick wall i FINALLY determined this was a hopeless fantasy. My persistence earned me a shunning framed as we aren’t interested and you have “earned our abuse/neglect.” They now drag out childhood “offenses.” Primarily I was too emotional, or demanding of parents attention. I was bad “too much” for my parents to discipline. Stories about Dad hitting/spanking me which didn’t work because that only made me “laugh.” I don’t know what that reflex was, but I recall having a reflexive impulse to respond with hysterical laugh when I was cornered and fearful about physical aggression directed at me. I’m in my 60’s and finally get that this isn’t anything I can fix and mutual support is not in their wheelhouse. Parents were very dysfunctional and have passed on. I hoped siblings would come together-mistaken again. I feel shame for being so naive. I’ve been seeking information, healing, help and connection as long as I can remember. That effort seems to irritate family and elicits contempt and defensiveness from them. The opposite of what I’m seeking. It’s a hard truth.

[@dawnpokemontrainer]

Another 60 year old here. That magical thinking, they are going to treat me better this time… I finally had to let go of that, last year. We no longer need to excuse, reward, or normalize abuse we’ve experienced. And there is no shame in being naïve. You be you. The world is a better place because you are in it.

[@llkellenba]

@@dawnpokemontrainer I’m sorry you experienced this family experience and I thank you for your kind encouragement/support.❤

[@saracullen6640]

And another 60 yo here. 2023 is second year of no contact with mother and siblings. There comes a point where magical thinking and false hope wear themselves out. From the first lockdown, the banning of family gatherings brought such relief and joy. Decided to keep it that way. Common enemy status is all that remains, but predominantly a unwritten rule never to speak of the eldest. I do hope the empty chair remains the scapegoat and a new person won’t be selected. But there were signs that the matriarch was testing out some of the grandkids to fill the roll to see if anyone came to their defense. She will succeed, sadly. The role is too crucial to the family bonding rituals.

[@intercept9510]

a 27 year old here, Thank you for sharing your experience, I also had an unexplained reflex to laugh when my abusive mom pinned me down and hit me. It's so helpful to hear that isn't just me.

[@llkellenba]

@@saracullen6640 yes, glad you’re feeling better with the decision to avoid the negative family and look after your needs. Hopefully that role will go unfilled but I think of the scapegoat role as a way for unhealthy family members to avoid dealing with genuine problems by externalizing the issues in order to fool themselves into believing they are in control and capable of intimate relationships. “Cheap intimacy” is the term which describes this dynamic well. I wasn’t conscious of this but it was a well used behavior. Kind of an icky shortcut.

[@1lhw875]

It’s dangerous to share having been victimized. People do behave as if it’s contagious and react with words or behavior what will put them on the “strong” team. They don’t want to identify with you and your perceived weakness Regarding the idea that the survivor is simply looking to get a witness: What’s funny to me is that I often find that I most need a witness when the bad actor’s behavior should be a no brainer. I need it most during times when I shouldn’t need a witness. Why do we question and doubt ourselves? Why do we have an increased need for validation when the abusers behavior is at its most self-evident? It’s, “Please tell me that I can trust my own mind.”

[@1lhw875]

So we were basically told that we can’t trust our own thoughts and feelings.

[@m.maclellan7147]

@@name5876 damn. Ouch. My empathy for your pain & the gaslighting. Wishing you peace.

[@1lhw875]

@@m.maclellan7147 Thank you. ❤️

[@aimeem]

It's definitely a bad idea to share that kind of stuff with strangers online

[@leeow3n]

That's not my lived experience, people only don't want to be party to your lows repeatedly especially if it's a constant focus and not showing progress.

[@Outofyouruniverse]

“We don’t allow toxic people to tell us who we are anymore”. @<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="2590">43:10</a> Thank you Mr. Teahan!!

[@vj8406]

Thank you for posting this. I am 46yo. My mother/abuser just died and my family shamed me and asked me to leave her bedside when I started reading my letter to her out loud. Never before could I tell her how I was feeling because she would have slapped me across the face, and if she was calm, gotten angry and left it was my last chance I thought my sisters were my allies, but I was wrong. Not only did she take my childhood away from me and all of the love a child deserves from their mother, but she also took my siblings from me. She made sure that they all hated me before she died. Even though they’re still talking about me. I feel like I am constantly grieving a tremendous loss. Of course I moved away as soon as I grew up and started my own life that has nothing to do with any of them but when I am around other families, I remember how much I once used to love them all.

[@charissecrenshaw1577]

The scapegoat idea really hit home for me in this video: the toxic system really needs a person on whom they will lay all of their sin and send off into the wilderness to die (or whatever they did with the scape goat in the Old Testament...now I want to go find it to review the details). It was a way of spiritually purifying the group and atoning for their sins both collective and individual, I think.

[@janettemartin4604]

I am a scapegoat child, and I believe you are correct! They send the goat out to the wild with all of their sins to purge themselves of said sins! BUT scapegoat children ONLY get killed alone in the WILD if they commit suicide or do too many drugs and alcohol and anything along those lines! 😮 That’s how I figure it! I know myself all my negative self thought is the voices I heard from family! BUT thanks to the internet and so many brilliant online FREE therapists I am VALIDATED and told I am many valuable and strong characteristics!

[@tiptopdadddy]

Jay Reid is another channel I follow who specializes in Scapegoated children, I got a lot of help from his insights much like PT

[@costelloandlizzievolk2233]

This is so helpful as I heal from trauma and abuse while also trying to figure out how to deal with people’s criticisms and invalidation for me speaking the truth and doing the work. Thank you 🙏

[@sharonthompson672]

Yes, if you're the truth teller in the family they all turn on ya. I refuse to pretend.

[@maryannecomment3302]

You explain it all very well. Trauma survivors seek reliable witnesses. That is true. The gaslighting around you, makes it difficult to process a trauma. People get sick being gaslighted. Family members or friends are very often not able to deal with the trauma's within their own circle. This is because they are part of the system, and they still feel some loyalty to the perpetrators. A reliable witness is someone, who is not part of your family and who is not your friend or your partner and who experienced trauma's as well.

[@salena8148]

Wow… I’ve never felt so overwhelmingly validated. I’ll have to listen again later. There were quite a few times Patrick’s voice was drowned out by my repeated cries of, “Oh my gawd, yes!” Thank you so much for this video. 🖤

[@Charcuterieboards]

I’m not so much J as I am a child of a J who put the toxic positivity bandaid on and then passed their trauma down to me. And now I’m ostracized for not doing that. “We don’t let traumatized people tell us who we are anymore”. I’ll remember that.

[@imsunnybaby]

yep this theme is coming up for me lately. the "i kept my mouth shut so you have to too and nobody is allowed to talk about this" the "no one is coming to save you(get off ur ass)" just completely utterly compassionless and seemingly self justified. thinking its right and a good thing like it should be that way. society has been twisted around so much people dont want to care about eachother and theyll gaslight eachother into agreeing and conforming

[@firestar1215]

“We DON’T let toxic people tell us who we are anymore, or what our experience was”. LOVE THIS

[@lightbeingform]

Thanks. People really project a lot of BS on each other, but I think you hit on something I haven't heard mentioned - people who are healing are triggering to those who are not. It makes healing all the more delicate and complicated. Gonna keep trying though.

[@WillTheLost]

Didn't realize I gave you my autobiography but helpful, thank you.

[@lisamagibiller1664]

Once again, you nailed it! The nuances are so hard to sort out and it's SO complicated. Thank you for validating us! Thank you for authenticity! Nothing has made me feel safer and more understood than your content. These videos mean the world to me, thank you! 💜💯

[@MaureenWHamblin]

Totally agree!! I always feel seen!! Just incredible!!

[@opalpersonal]

a note: the part about coming out and having the mother lash out aggressively? that was like whiplash. that's exactly what happened to me. she made it all about her, ""how could i keep a secret like this", "why didn't i tell her", the crying the "heartbreak", etc. and it's still going on, residually, with her. i knew at the time it was an insane reaction and i had only been forced to come out because of an argument with an equally abusive father. now that i've been researching what i've been through, i know my mother has some textbook traits of narcissism, and this is one of them.

[@bottomofastairwell]

Right? It's like "hey, so here's this new thing that I discovered about myself that was previously unknown or unrealized, even to me" "How could you keep that from me? Why didn't you tell me?" Um maybe because I didn't freaking know! I didn't know how to walk when I was born either. Are you gonna get upset that I was keeping my ability to walk a secret for my first 2 years of life too? So stupid.

[@kenyasmith2652]

Sometimes you wonder why people hate the word “gaslighting”? Is it because they know they’re guilty of it based on learning about the definition and the signs of gaslighting?

[@SS-cf8yx]

I was abused by my father when I was a child and I never tell people and only recently am in therapy although I've had problems my whole life. But, just like some other people have commented, I didn't want to be seen as damaged and looked upon with pity. I only ever told one person and a couple of other people I knew found out from other of my family members. When those people found out, they looked on me with pity. I don't need pity and I'm certainly not looking for attention. But I certainly was never able to "just get over it" and move on and not have issues. I lived my entire life with zero self esteem and always feeling less than and like a failure, keeping to myself and trying to avoid conflict and confrontation. I have anxiety and have had panic attacks in the past. But of course, I should just suck it up and get over it and don't play the victim. I hate attention on me and am not good at sharing anything about myself with others. All I want now is just to feel okay, like I'm not a failure and that the way I feel now is normal. I never went to therapy before, but am seeing a therapist now. So I never processed any of this before. I'm not sure I will ever share that aspect of my life with anyone, aside from my therapist.

[@orielwiggins2225]

Whether or not you share it, I hope the child parts of you that still feel it, are able to feel loved and validated and safe and cared for. Not pity, love and support, not because you're weak or a failure but because you are a human and no child deserves abuse.

[@boethjelle8769]

Hey dude. I'm in the same boat and I know all the dumb stuff that doesn't make you feel better, so I will say the thing that makes me feel better: your dad sucks. You seem cool.

[@bottomofastairwell]

You know what though? You shared your story here, and I bet that was probably difficult. So I think you should be proud of being brave and talking about what you went through, even if it's just a KZbin comment. I know even typing comments i get nervous sometimes, enough that sometimes I'll wipe a whole paragraph but then end up just deleting it. So I think you're brave for writing all that. What happened to you want ok. It was wrong and awful. So however you feel about it, that's okay. It's normal for us to feel F-ed up when F-ed up things happen to us. Your feelings are totally valid, and so is your struggle. But it wasn't your fault. And it doesn't change your worth or your value as a person. I hope you know that

[@LDuke-pc7kq]

Hey Patrick 👋 Could you consider doing one on victim shaming and the toxic language of calling someone's experience 'trauma dumping '. It seemed not to long ago that when people opened up to each other it meant there had been enough time, trust and security built people could share personal experiences with each other, many times it meant a new even higher level of friendship had developed; now it seem people especially in young generations just want to be entertained and or distracted by friendships and will even emotionally abuse those that try to have a deep level of sharing in the relationship and calling it unwelcome trauma dumping. Has anyone else noticed this? Hope everyone is well and Many Blessings!!

[@DeepState5]

Trauma dumping is real, and it's different than sharing between two willing participants.

[@goldenquill96]

@@DeepState5Aye. From my understanding it's like contextual over-sharing, rather than inherently over-sharing. I have trauma; I'm not the *only* one who has trauma. Everyone *should* process their trauma, *and* everyone should have agency around their healing process. Being mindful of "trauma-dumping", in my experience, is more a reminder to consider and inquire about the conversational needs and boundaries of your friends. I've been gently told recently "I want to listen, but maybe give me a warning next time". I've also had conversations where I got cues from the looks on my friends' faces that bringing up a specific piece of my past triggered a "smack-in-the-face" to memory lane for more than me. I've also had this experience happen to me...99% of the time I'm open to the possibility someone else's trauma will trigger a memory for me, but it still can be painful or shocking: I think we're always within our rights to call for a time-out and specify some conversational safe words/content warnings/boundaries. I think there's also tender, thoughtful ways to call these time-outs, or have later conversations about "content warnings". Healthy friends actively processing their own trauma (in my experience) *do* want to be there for each other and create safe space for unpacking those deep topics: that doesn't mean we're always available for it, or for *all* of it. If we haven't processed a specific aspect of our past, hearing a very familar piece of our friend's trauma can remove us from "safe listener and responder" to "unsafe child" mode, and that's not what our friends need anyway. You do yourself and your friends a service by identifying those triggers, processing that trauma as you can, and making space for your friends in a mature way that accommodates your inner child.

[@Chrystine4440]

Yeah, my husband has been a gem 💎 I for sure core/trauma dump about my parents and I know that I’m doing it by the repetitive nature of my dump because of random triggers. I actually became more self aware a year or so ago and apologize for the repeated stories and his sweet response is that one of these days I will get to the good part of the story of my life when he comes in to the picture.

[@NamikazeH]

@@goldenquill96 I agree. I am in communities that are open with our individual journeys in processing our traumas, but there are times when people are simply... bringing a lot of heavy topics into contexts and situations where other people aren't *ready* for it. I have had friends who would bring up extensive childhood trauma and suicidal ideations into casual group roleplays that make me pause because I know if I interact with it, I myself will spiral into depressive mindsets I'm actively trying to stay away from. Some of them chase that "let me make this worse" rabbitholes where they revel in both the destruction of their projected characters, but also in others telling them "nooo, don't hurt that character". Sometimes you're just trying to roleplay, and would rather have this conversation in another space, because people aren't always in the headspace to help you with your trauma. The truth is that your friends are not therapists either, and therapists exist within constructed spaces specifically for those heavy topics; they're not doing it while they're just chilling and reading a book to unwind, yanno? These people are also your /friends/. My best close circles have been ones where we have been able to share deeply vulnerable moments and experiences and be met with understanding and compassion, while also being able to say something like, "I'm sorry, but I'm also spiraling myself, so can we talk about this after I get some sleep", or encouraging them to seek emotional refuge in another friend group for the moment, but that we can talk about too later, etc.

[@grizzlybear4]

I just stopped saying anything to anyone. Just holding it all in and feeling hopeless.

[@mostlyvoid.partiallystars]

Jeez. You described about 90% of my childhood. That was very strange to hear third hand. Even the high achieving but passively suicidal. Mother threatening suicide. Family avoids upsetting mother. Lost brother. Golden sister. Only there was a constant dichotomy with me, I was either 100% the worst kid (selfish, ungrateful) or 100% the best (what would my life be without you, you’re so wonderful). I’m so glad to have sought mental health help, even if i am only just now really realizing how messed up childhood was.

[@mostlyvoid.partiallystars]

This for real got me in the guts. Thank you for this.

[@citrezene]

best and worst child I also get a lot .-.

[@thecatthatcameback]

Aside from having siblings, you described my childhood better than I could have. The constant "dichotomy" (that's an awesome word btw) always and still does make me feel like I'm crazy, like I'm definitely the problem and I'm just imagining the abuse or being dramatic. Thank you for putting my experience in words!!❤

[@mostlyvoid.partiallystars]

@@thecatthatcameback I’m sorry you dealt with this too! It’s such a weird situation, and so hard to reconcile as you grow through it. Wishing you healing and happiness!

[@saturdayschild8535]

So triggering but so helpful. I’ve decided to stop “testing” my family and former friends and just working towards my healing alone (with my therapist) for the moment. Thank you so much for this video. There are too many enablers around online or undiagnosed disordered people telling people they have a victim mentality while completely misusing the term.

[@ViviMark]

I realised recently the gaslighting I received from the new age spiritual community as I was being accused constantly about my victim mentality. However, I noticed that when I had inner child therapy, my therapist was moving too fast on to me see my family's perspective before I even had the time to describe my feelings. I now see how uncomfortable she was feeling about me expressing how I felt. I needed more time to find the right words and to process what has happening, I wasn't ready to see my family's perspective. All that left me feeling ungrateful, weak, helpless and desperate..

[@PostFamilyOfOrigin]

A lot of people from narcissistic family systems WHO ARE ACTUALLY NARCS THEMSELVES love to defend those folks even to people who are not from their own families against scapegoats

[@maryhollenstein4441]

I'm so sorry you weren't hesrd... so often my own therapy has been superficial at best... I'm 67 and have been in out of therapy since I was 15

[@doddeddo]

"processing child trauma wrong" that sentence alone helps a lot

[@angstaples]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="392">6:32</a> "It's just an inner child thing that many of us engage in until we wake up" When you put things that way it helps me so much.

[@elizabetha3936]

This helped me a lot. I was still feeling weird about a friend of mine who told me I just wanted to be a victim. They themselves are hurting and didn't want to be reminded of it. Instead of saying that to me they chose to hurt me. I don't feel animosity. Just sad. I'll be ok. Thank you.

[@TheLiquidCat]

Similar thing happened to me. I eventually got to the point where I was able to think of it like "Wow, you threw away our 16+ year friendship so you wouldn't feel rejected by a group of toxic people. That's so sad." I can only feel pity for them.

[@wtfisgoingon129]

Patrick is on fire lately with these videos! Very excited!

[@amarbyrd2520]

YES 💯💥💥

[@hellomiguel_]

Those comments are infuriating. Thanks for being here, Patrick!

[@charliesourire]

I was a scapegoat in my narcissistic family system. I have a few trigger words even now, after just over two years no-contact with the abusive parent. Those trigger words are "ruined" and "manipulative" and "selfish." Each point in this video is so relatable for me. Especially the therapist response and J Doe's prolonged dissociative episode. I've had to drop out of college several times because of PTSD episodes just such as that. I've had thoughts after therapy like those in the example, almost verbatim.

[@Coco_xoxo]

It’s always interesting seeing the scapegoat and golden child parts in a narcissistic family system because I was the only child. So, I was somehow given the experience of both, I’m still confused as to how it was even possible. I relate so much to “manipulative” and “selfish”, I was called it whenever I cried or showed that the abuse hurt me. I’m pretty sure they were projecting their qualities

[@Wendylovespitties]

The story of J at Thanksgiving is EXACTLY in almost every detail what happened to me in my senior year of college. It was quite shocking as his story unfolded to hear detail after detail that was exactly my wxperience.

[@elsagrace3893]

Trauma isn’t just acts that happened to you. It becomes your “normal and comfortable”. It’s a wiring of the brain. You will never seek better because you don’t know there is better and worse you will seek out what is familiar. It’s impossible to just change because it is wired into the neural pathways of the brain. Appropriate help is necessary to see what’s wrong.

[@I-amVanilla]

I really like you Patrick. You speak a language my heart needs to hear. May you be filled with loving kindness 😊

[@beccy2188]

Thank you for this. Why am I listening to any and every fool on the internet who thinks people with trauma want to be victims? I didn't want or ask to be struggling to heal for decades now, all I want is to feel better, and diminishing and dismissing from ignorant or well-meaning people is a big part of why I'm not there yet!

[@DJMetzler337]

“You don’t know what it’s like to have it rough at home. I couldn’t eat as a kid. You have it great and don’t know it.” Oh, and the repentance part cracks me up. They are waiting for me to repent from my sexuality, not the other way around. Yet they hijack “Let me affirm my love for you.” This video is so relatable.

[@klaramolitva]

OMG J Doe's family sounds just like mine! It's almost creepy!

[@catherinemorley4829]

Just want to give Jay a hug. So related to so much of what Patrick said. A lot of this could have been my childhood. My experiences. I have been working thru it for years, think I ‘am done with the counselling, etc’ then realize a few years later that more needs to happen. Have had successes and failures in that area. Currently, have a fantastic counsellor as well as others I am working with. So, so appreciate what Patrick has to say. So down to earth. So logical. Thank you!!!!!

[@inairby4freedom]

I experienced all of the above when it came to family,friends,therapist’s,spiritual counselor’s, Al-Anon. “Keep Coming Back It Works”. 😮 It wasn’t working. I still go because I find that there is still humanity there. However, I’m aware I can stick myself with what I’ve been comfortable with over the years. The people I gravitate to are people LIKE MY TOXIC FAMILY SYSTEM! What the what! Yeah, so thank you for this Dr. I have to be very CAREFUL and select healthy individuals for my mental health. It’s tricky. Yayee I’m not crazy or selfish!!!!

[@einahsirro1488]

"... a family with low emotional intelligence, severe distrust of outsiders..." man, that's my whole culture!