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rumpelstiltskin effect
if you remember the old grimm fairy tale, rumpelstiltskin could spin straw into gold. he made a deal with a young woman: guess his name and she keeps her baby. at first it seemed impossible. but once his name was spoken, the power shifted. knowing the name changed everything.
researchers alan levinovitz and awais aftab say the same thing happens in real life. giving something a name can give us power over it. especially when it comes to illness. they call this the rumpelstiltskin effect.
why a name feels like relief
think of a headache that lingers for days. or exhaustion that never seems to end. the uncertainty can be scary. what if it’s serious?
but once a doctor gives you a diagnosis, even b…