Impact of Trauma Bonding on Mental Health

Many people surrounding you might stuck in relationships whereby they are always hurt but remain deeply attached. It is called trauma bonding- and it’s not as easy as you think. It is a common occurrence when love and pain get combined, which becomes difficult to leave. You might be confused, guilty, or fearful of leaving content even though you know that the relationship is not healthy. If you find yourself or somebody you know in the toxic cycle, the sensible thing to do will be to get out with the help of professionals or loving people.

In this article, we will reveal the signs, the way the trauma bonding cycle works, and treatment alternatives that can help. Whether you seek understanding or healing, from emotional patterns to recovery tools, we have got you covered. Don’t leave it out – keep reading to the end!

What Is Trauma Bonding?

Trauma bonding is a process through which a person connects emotionally to someone who abuses them and is so common in abusive relationships. This bond develops because the abuser will switch between the harmful things that they do to caring or being affectionate towards the victim. Later on, the victim may feel as if they still need the abuser, although the relationship in question is harmful. This trauma bonding cycle provides a hindrance in them taking off because they still have hope that things can always be better.

Thus, it might not be easy to break a trauma bond but the detection of the pattern is a step in the right direction. Friends, family, or professional help might help an individual to regain their confidence and to understand that they have the right to be treated healthily and respectably. However, by offering themselves tender, love care, and guidance, one can overcome and strengthen positive links.

Trauma Bonding Symptoms

Here are the symptoms of trauma bonding signs:

• The inability to leave her abusive relationship.
• Covering up or excusing the behavior of the abuser
• When mistreated, feeling loyal to the abuser.
• Isolation from friends and family
• Cyclic abuse and subsequent reconciliation occurred often.
• Confusion and self-doubt over the relationship.
• Emotional reliance on the abuser as a source of validation.

Trauma Bonding Friendship

Trauma bonding in friendship means that individuals are close based on shared pain or hard ordeal rather than a healthy association. Sometimes, one friend may abuse the other – control, be jealous or malicious towards each other’s emotions, but still care. These contradicting signals may confuse the other person, whereby they might be convinced that the friendship exists and is worth keeping even though it may be hurting.

Similarly, the one who is being hurt might end up dependent on the friend, believing that they could not abandon the friendship because of all the things that they went through. Hence, such type of bond may be durable, but knowing that this is built on pain and not on respect is the first step towards letting go and finding better friendships.

You may also like to read: Trauma Dumping and its Consequence on Mental Health

Trauma Bonding Examples

The following are examples of bonding in a trauma:

• A partner continually cheats and lies, but he is retained due to occasional caring and apologies.
• A child justifies an abusive parent as it is considered to be their fault, and they anticipate approval.
• A friend always manipulates and degrades, and the victim hangs on because of guilt or fear of being lonely.
• A victim of domestic violence goes back to the abuser after every instance because of promises of change.
• A person rationalizes mistreatment in a relationship built on shared memories and emotional highs.
• On seeing small acts of kindness, a hostage is sympathetic or loyal towards their captor.

Types of Trauma Bonding

1. Romantic Trauma Bonding

Happens in abusive intimate relationships, as a victim emotionally gets involved with the abuser. The love and, later on, mistreatment reproduce confusion and dependency. Many victims explain the abuse and believe that things will change for the better. Over time, self-worth diminishes. It is emotionally painful to leave although knowing the harm done.

2. Parental Trauma Bonding

Takes place when children are maltreated or emotionally neglected by the caregivers but feel extreme loyalty. The child may internalize the blame for the abuse and, as such, try to gain approval from the parent. This connection may last even into adult life, affecting future relationships. In most cases, it leads to borderline issues. The need for emotional love and acceptance supersedes the sense of wanting to get hurt.

3. Workplace Trauma Bonding

Emerges in poisonous workplaces and works best with conniving or abusive leaders. Staff can remain due to fear, guilt, or false hope to change. Demeaning is constantly interspersed with praise from dependency. The victims do not believe in themselves and fail to speak out. Loyalty is done even at the expense of possible psychological harm being caused.

4. Friendship Trauma Bonding

Being a situation whereby a friend pressures, guilt trips, or emotionally abuses one to control the relationship. Instances of kindness are taken for real concern. Over time, self-esteem erodes. Terminating the friendship is a betrayal even when it is necessary for a well-being.

5. Captivity or Hostage Trauma Bonding

It is usually characterized by dependency on survival, and little acts of kindness are exaggerated. The victims might defend or empathize with the abuser. This bond has the potential to hamper rescue or recovery from trauma bonding efforts.

Trauma Bonding with a Narcissist

Trauma bonding with a narcissist occurs when one develops tantalizing feelings towards a person who hurt them previously. They might leave little instances of kindness or love after harming you, leaving you with a glimmer of hope of it being better. This cycle of pain and short affection develops strong emotional dependence that makes one find it difficult to leave the relationship despite knowing it is not healthy.

After some time, the victim may question themselves and feel guilty for the issues in the relationship. They are sometimes blamed by the narcissist, which affects their self-esteem. Despite the damage done, sometimes the victim can remain since they are emotionally bound, fearful, or expectant that the narcissist will come to their senses. Awareness about it is step one to healing and emancipating oneself from the poisonous trauma bonding cycle.

An Overview of 7 Stages of Trauma Bonding

Stage 1: Love Bombing

The relationship starts with much ardent love, attention, and flattery. The abuser will make the victim feel special, and this creates a strong emotional bond with the victim very fast. This step tends to be euphoric and overwhelming. It creates trust and an emotional build-up. The victim can overlook the red flags because of the rampant positive feelings.

Stage 2: Trust and Dependency

The abuser recognizes and facilitates trust as they promote emotional, financial, or physical dependence. The victim depends on the abuser to validate and support him. The isolation from the outside influences can start subtly. The abuser also becomes the only one that is safe for the victim. The bond grows deeper, whereby the victim feels that they “need” the abuser.

Stage 3: Criticism and Devaluation

The moment control is gained, the abuser starts criticizing the victim and belittling her. Affection is withdrawn and is substituted with emotional blackmailing or small disrespects. The victim gets confused, and in doubt about one’s value. They might blame themselves and work harder to please the abuser.

Stage 4: Gaslighting

The abuser distorts the reality; thus, doubt is created in the victim’s mind as they are made to doubt their perception and even sanity. They can deny abuse, distort facts, and/or minimize the victim’s feelings. This psychological manipulation creates confusion and hopelessness. The victim begins to believe the abuser’s reality instead of their own. Dependency grows stronger.

Stage 5: Resignation and Submission

The victim stops struggling and settles for the abusive pattern as normal. They might feel that there’s no escape or they could not do better. The identity of the people gets wrapped up in the relationship. Emotional numbing and despair take over. The circle of control is completed.

Stage 6: Loss of Self

Over time, the victim loses the sense of self, confidence, and independence. They can experience anxiety, depression, and being worthless. In their world, the abuser’s needs and moods become very important. The trauma bond is more powerful than personal willpower.

Stage 7: Addiction to the Cycle

The highs and lows become addictive, like substance abuse. The victim yearns for the approval of the abuser and dreads their rejection. Moments of kindness validate hope and glue the victim to the spot. It is harder to break the bond for each trauma bonding cycle. It usually needs extra help to escape.

Healing From Trauma Bonding

Trauma bonding in friendship refers to a case where two friends become close due to the pain or tough experiences they share, not a mutual healthy connection. Therefore, one friend may be mean to the other one—controlling, jealous, or heartlessly mean—but would still be kind once in a while. These mixed messages will confuse the other person into thinking the friend is real and worth saving, even if it is hurting them.

In addition, the one getting hurt may become dependent on the friend and think that she can’t leave the friendship due to everything they went through together. They may even end up blaming themselves or even feeling guilty for seeking space. It is not easy to break such a bond, but understanding that it is not founded on respect but on pain is the first step towards letting go and looking for healthier friendships.

Seek professional Help For Treatment

1. Psychiatric Evaluation

Psychiatric evaluation is an in-depth examination of a mental health practitioner to determine your thoughts, feelings, and behavior. It assists in the diagnosis of mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD. It is the first step towards developing a personalized treatment plan.

2. Medication Management

Medication management requires the prescription of the appropriate medications to help in mood balance, minimization of symptoms, and stabilization of mental health. A provider tracks side effects and adjusts the dosages if necessary. It guarantees the safe and effective use of psychiatric drugs.

3. Lifestyle Change

Lifestyle changes that you could make to promote your mental health include getting better sleep, diet, and exercise, as well as stress reduction. These are changes that work with medication or therapy to promote recovery. Small habits can change a lot in the way you feel daily.

Final Note

Lastly, trauma bonding is a situation when a victim feels attached to an individual who does them wrong. It may occur in abusive relationships, and it evokes confusion, fear, and painful emotions. At MAVA Behavioral Health, we assist an individual in healing from trauma bonding using medication and care. Our team begins with a complete mental check for an understanding of your needs. We use medications to mitigate anxiety, depression, and emotional stress. It stimulates your ability to think clearly and be more in control. Our providers monitor your state and change the course of your treatment accordingly. So, reach out to us today and get more information!

FAQs

What is trauma bonding?

Trauma bonding is a serious emotional attachment that has developed between a person and their abuser, typically the case with toxic and abusive relationships. The relationship is established on a painful cycle of affection, which makes it difficult to depart.

How will I know if I am in a trauma bond?

The signs include a feeling that you are trapped in a painful relationship, blaming yourself for the abuse, making excuses for abuse, and having tremendous emotional ups and downs. You might also feel not capable of leaving though you know it is unhealthy.

Why is It so difficult to be released from a trauma bond?

Since the abuser tends to interchange kindness with abuse, the victim nurtures hope that things might improve. This confusion on emotions brings dependency and fear to let go.

What causes trauma bonding?

It typically results from multiple cycles of misuse and short periods of kindness and warmth. These patterns train the brain to look for approval and hold fear of abandonment.

What is the method of treating trauma bonding?

Psychiatric examination and medication handling form part of treatment. Professionals at MAVA Behavioral Health employ individual plans for restoring patient’s health.