Millions of people around the world experience a traumatic event during their lifetime. Trauma, left untreated, can linger and interfere with your health and quality of life for the worse. From harming your physical and mental health to your relationships with loved ones, and more. In this article, you’ll learn more specifically about trauma bonds, and how to break a trauma bond so you can lead a healthier, happier life.
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What is a Trauma Bond?
Before diving into the question “How to break a trauma bond” it’s essential to understand what is a trauma bond. A trauma bond is when someone forms a psychological bond with an abuser. Typically, trauma bonds occur in toxic relationships with a partner; however, trauma bonds are not only exclusively found in romantic relationships. Trauma bonds can also occur with friends, family members, and more.
Trauma bonds oftentimes involve emotional abuse, and manipulation, and can even involve physical violence. Unfortunately, many people in trauma bonds experience the highs and lows of their relationship with the abuser and can form a trauma bond because they may have a difficult time differentiating between love and affection, and violence and abuse.
5 Ways to Break a Trauma Bond
Now that you know more about what is a trauma bond if you suspect you or someone you know may be experiencing a trauma bond, below are several ways how to break a trauma bond.
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Understand and Admit You Have a Trauma Bond
The first step toward breaking a trauma bond is acknowledging that you are in a trauma bond. Oftentimes, it can be difficult to understand you are struggling with a trauma bond because you may try to excuse or ignore signs of abuse or manipulation out of feelings of care, love, or affection you may have. However, it is never okay to face abuse at the hands of a loved one.
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Establish Clear, Healthy Boundaries to Break the Bond
Once you’ve recognized you are struggling with a trauma bond, it’s important to set clear, healthy boundaries to work toward breaking the bond. This may look like cutting off your interaction with that individual completely and cutting off communication to ensure you can remove yourself from that individual’s life completely.
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Consider Seeking Profesional Help
It can be difficult overcoming trauma and breaking a trauma bond, especially all on your own. Therefore, consider seeking professional help to heal from the trauma you experience. Unresolved trauma, left untreated, can hurt virtually all areas of your life for the worse.
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Prioritize Healthy Lifestyle and Coping Habits
Next, it’s important to prioritize a healthy lifestyle and coping habits to help you heal and move away from your past trauma. It’s important to prioritize getting quality sleep each night, exercising, and spending quality time with trusted loved ones who are there to support you.
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Seek Support From Trusted Family and Friends
Last but not least, as briefly touched upon in the last point, it’s important to consider seeking support from trusted family members and friends. It can be difficult breaking a trauma bond, this is why having a support system you can lean on is crucial.
Help Is Available
Now you know more about the question “how to break a trauma bond”. The first step toward breaking a trauma bond is understanding that you struggle with it. It can be hard breaking away from someone you love; however, it is never okay to experience abuse at the hands of a loved one. If you or someone you know is struggling with trauma or another mental health condition, it’s critical to consider seeking professional help to improve your mental health and well-being.
Our caring team at The Bridge to Recovery is here to help you safely and effectively break free from the chains of addiction so you can lead a healthier, happier life. No more ignoring or denying your mental health problems. Our personalized mental health program offers a wide range of treatment options to help you better manage your symptoms so you can improve your mental wellness. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you improve your mental well-being.