Trauma Bond: What to Know

A trauma bond is a type of unhealthy relationship in which one person is overly attached to another due to a history of emotional or physical trauma. This type of relationship can often be found in situations where there is a power imbalance, such as in abusive relationships. For someone with a trauma bond, the relationship becomes a dysfunctional coping mechanism, whereby the person stays with the other person even when they are being harmed or mistreated.

Trauma bonds form as a result of the brain's natural reward system, which is activated when a person experiences something pleasurable or rewarding. In the case of a trauma bond, the reward comes from the intermittent reinforcement of positive experiences mixed with negative ones. This intermittent reinforcement creates an unpredictable pattern of behavior in the other person, which can be very confusing and disorienting for the person in the trauma bond.

As the trauma bond develops, the person may become increasingly dependent on the other person, both emotionally and physically. They may feel like they need the other person to survive, and they may become afraid to leave the relationship even if it is harmful to them. The trauma bond can also lead to a person developing feelings of guilt, shame, and low self-esteem.

Trauma bonds can be very difficult to break, as they are often reinforced by the person's own beliefs about themselves and the world. However, it is important to remember that trauma bonds are unhealthy and can be very damaging to the person's emotional and physical well-being. If you are in a trauma bond, it is important to seek professional help to break the bond and rebuild your life.