What is Trauma Bonding?

Impact, signs, and how to break from it.

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Trauma bonding is when a victim develops feelings of closeness and dependence on a person who has abused them. They may feel guilty for even thinking about leaving or angry about the idea of being “abandoned” by the abuser. This type of bond often gets stronger because each traumatic act reinforces the connection.

The impact of trauma bonding can be devastating. Victims may feel like they’re stuck in a cycle of abuse and that there’s no way out. They may feel like they’re not good enough or deserve any better. The abuser often plays on these feelings, convincing the victim that they are the only ones who can help them. This is what keeps the victim trapped in the cycle of abuse.

If you’re in an abusive relationship, it cannot be easy to think about leaving. You may feel guilty or ashamed for even considering it and afraid of being abandoned by the abuser. The relationship is often intense, with lots of highs and lows, and your feelings towards the abuser are complicated — you love them and hate them simultaneously.

Signs of Trauma bonding

You may have experienced traumatic events while in the relationship, which has taken an emotional toll on you. The abuse has made it hard to think or function normally. If this sounds…