Chances are, if you’re reading this, you’re wondering if this is the right place for you. You may be asking yourself, Did I experience betrayal trauma? What even is betrayal trauma? These are great questions – Let’s get into it.
Betrayal trauma – simply put – is an injury or violation of trust from someone we are close to or deeply depend on.
This can include so many areas of our lives: Spouses and partners, parents and caregivers, siblings, friendships, employers, schools, governing institutions, and religious institutions, just to name a few.
These are relationships that we engage in with others that allow us to feel safe, secure, and loved. When there is a betrayal within a relationship that results in an injury or violation to one’s ability to trust the relationship, it can result in a trauma response.
Examples of Betrayal Trauma include:
- Infidelity
- Childhood physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
- Raised within a dysfunctional family system
- Reporting an incident to HR and being met with more unchecked harassment
- Mistreatment in hospital or ER settings for victims of sexual assault or those with mental health histories
Betrayal Trauma can evoke symptoms related to post-traumatic stress (PTSD) including:
- Dissociation – out of body experiencing, being “checked out”
- Memory problems
- Intrusive thoughts
- Negative emotional state
- Irritability or feeling numb
- Hypervigilance – watching your back, continually looking for safety
- Difficulty controlling or regulating emotions
- Not feeling safe or like you can trust others
Being here is a huge first step in your path to recovery. You’re awakening the awareness you need to begin down a new path. No matter what type of betrayal you’ve experienced, our team is here to hear your story and support you through your journey. Reach out to us today.