TRAUMA BONDS

Did You Know...

Most survivors of social and domestic violence agree that it is difficult to leave harmful relationships, as a result of the TRAUMA BONDS that occur within these relationships. The 5 types of trauma bonds that usually occur are:

STOCKHOLM SYNDROME
Characterized by victims who sympathize with and develop positive affirmations or feelings for their abusers. This can be attributed to the confusing mix of terror, abuse, and trauma inflicted by the abuser, followed by bursts or periods of care and affection. This is especially true for those who do not possess the financial or social means to escape the relationship.

COGNITIVE DISSONANCE
Characterized by victims of abuse holding conflicting and often harmful beliefs that keep them stuck in the relationship. For instance, many victims may believe that the abuse they are suffering through is wrong, but they may equally hold the conflicting belief that the abuser cares for them, contrary to his or her actions toward them. This may be used as justification to remain in the unhealthy relationship.

REPETITIVE COMPULSION DISORDER
Most victims of abuse develop a vast array of psychological  disorders as a result of the trauma experienced while in the relationship. This is especially true for those who have had lengthy exposure to abusive situations. It may cause the victim to forgo any and all sense of self-care in the hopes of trying to alleviate the abuse within the relationship by continually trying to transform or change themselves in the hopes that the changes will cause the abuse to cease.

PEPTIDE ADDICTION
Peptides are the regular doses of amino acids manufactured by the hypothalamus - the area of the brain involved in the emotional signals our body receives. The “emotional rollercoaster” that ensues as a result of the constant cycles of tension building, explosive incidents of abuse, followed by acts of reconciliation within the relationship promote defunct hypothalamus peptide release that can mimic symptoms of drug addiction within victims of abuse.

INFANTILE REGRESSON
As a result of feeling powerless within an abusive relationship, most victims of violence revert to the behaviors of a child in their levels of maturity and self reliance in an effort to survive.