The person who hurt you isn’t a stranger.
It becomes hard to trust that person again.
Frankly, it might be hard to trust anyone ever again.
While that entire thought process sounds logical, it can be deeply painful to live in such a reality.
The psychology behind betrayal trauma.
Instead, we must suppress and ignore the betrayal to get to have our needs met."
Common signs & symptoms of betrayal trauma.
Betrayal trauma (BT) often involves difficulty even recognizing what’s happening and naming the feelings it brings.
The robbery is the gut punch.
What about the complicity of someone who once made you feel safe?
Abuse can also be physical abuse,emotional abuse, sexual abuse, or other forms of violence andmanipulation.
“Children can be significantly affected by betrayal trauma both directly and indirectly.
The direct effect is being a victim of trauma.
The vicarious effect may be children being raised by parents who experienced trauma, thus creating generational trauma.”
It frequently happens at an institutional level.
“An example of betrayal trauma could be officers in the military being sexually assaulted,” Conquest explains.
In this example, the lack of response may be even more traumatic than the sexual assault itself.
This can also be referred to as ‘institutional trauma.'"
“This is also something common that people of color and others with marginalized identities face… ## Healing & moving forward.
Betrayal trauma recovery first begins with recognizing that harmful events and situations are really tough.
If this sounds like you or someone you love, there are many resources available to cope and heal.
When the victim feels safe and willing, she recommends group or family therapy.
Telehealth options might add a layer of detachment that a recovering person might prefer over a face-to-face session.
In the meantime, lean on the other friends and family members in your support system.
“Can you muster up other support to help fulfill your needs?
How to help the recovery process:
The bottom line.
Betrayal trauma is more than just a theory.
