What is Trauma Bonding?

A trauma bond is an emotional attachment that is formed to another person, often an abuser, that makes it difficult for this person to separate themselves from their source of trauma. These bonds can overtake your emotions and lead to poor decision making. Sometimes, the effects of trauma bonding can last long after you have separated yourself from the relationship, so it’s important to know the signs of these unhealthy attachments and how to begin to separate yourself from the emotional connection.  

What Causes a Trauma Bond?

Trauma bonds occur when an abused person develops affection for their abuser, creating an emotional connection that is difficult to break. Despite the poor treatment of the abused person, they exhibit sympathy for the person causing them harm and can try to empathize or rationalize their behavior. Trauma bonding can occur in situations involving:

• Abuse (child, domestic, or elder)
• Sexual abuse or exploitation
• Kidnapping
• Religious trauma
• Cult involvement

Not everyone who experiences one of these situations will develop an unhealthy attachment to the perpetrator, or perpetrators, of the trauma, but there are environmental factors that can make you more susceptible to developing emotional attachments to your abuser. Some of the most common influential factors are survival instincts, dependence, and cycles of abuse. 

If you find yourself in a life-threatening situation, such as a kidnapping or abusive relationship, you may develop an emotional bond as a way to protect yourself. By showing the abuser some form of affection, the abused may feel they are protecting themselves from more severe abusive situations and potentially save their life. This emotional attachment can remain even after you have removed yourself from the situation, creating a continuing trauma bond. 

Similarly, in harmful relationships or communities, you could develop a dependence on the person or leaders, causing uncertainty when you leave the situation. Dependence on another person or community to meet your needs, especially if they did not allow you to practice any type of independence, can leave you with an unhealthy attachment to them and an inability to act on your own. Finally, if you have experienced abuse previously, you are more likely to accept the behaviors and can develop a trauma bond because the abuse is “normal” based on your past experiences. This can lead to a continuing cycle of abuse where these unhealthy behaviors and attachments are accepted. 

Trauma Bonding: Warning Signs and Symptoms

Recognizing a trauma bond is an important first step in helping yourself or someone you love who may have developed an unhealthy attachment to an abusive person or community. Some signs of these attachments include: 

• Defensiveness when someone tries to intervene
• Lack of recognition of the abuse
• Justification of abusive behaviors
• Distancing from support systems
• Being reluctant or unwilling to leave an abusive environment
• A desire to return to the abusive environment after leaving

Breaking the Bond

Once the person has left an abusive situation, the trauma bond can remain. To help someone who has developed an emotional bond begin to separate themselves emotionally from their abuser, you can begin by providing them with facts about their past situation. Often, it’s helpful to note the differences you see between what a healthy relationship is and what this person has experienced. Bringing their own desires in and how those were not being met can also be effective. Encourage them to spend time focusing on positive interactions and self-care and seek out healthy relationships as they move forward.

There will often be fear related to the situation and a number of complex emotions this person needs to work through, and it’s not uncommon for someone to turn to substance use to cope. Support from friends and family can help reassure this person’s safety, but full recovery and separation from their abuser will likely require professional help through therapy. 

Healing from Unhealthy Bonds at Celebrate Hope

If you are worried that you or someone you know has developed a trauma bond alongside an addiction, Celebrate Hope can help. Trauma bonds are reflective of our God-given desire to be loved and cared for. Through our treatment model based in Christian principles, we can help you find comfort in the unconditional love our Creator provides while healing from addiction. If you’re ready to begin your life of freedom built on a foundation of Christ, contact us today. 

Trauma Definition

The term PTSD is often used to describe the trauma that members of the military experience in battle. PTSD is post-traumatic stress disorder, which is a mental health condition that can affect anyone who has been through a trauma. A trauma definition includes a description of its types, symptoms, and treatment options.

Trauma – Physical and Emotional

Trauma can be used in regard to physical health, meaning the individual has experienced a physical injury. In regard to mental health, the trauma definition refers to an emotional response to a deeply disturbing or distressing event. An individual suffering the effects of trauma could have experienced the sudden loss of a loved one, experienced or witnessed a violent act, or been in an accident or a natural disaster. Many people who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic also feel the effects of that traumatic experience.

Trauma Types and Symptoms

Someone who has experienced trauma may respond with extreme grief, may be in denial, or may be in a state of shock in the immediate and short-term period after the event. Trauma can also result in longer-term reactions, including flashbacks, impulsiveness, unsteady emotions, and strained relationships. Physical symptoms of trauma can include nausea, lethargy, and headaches. The long-term trauma symptoms can lead to a diagnosis of PTSD.

There are three main types of trauma: acute, chronic, and complex.

Acute Trauma

Acute trauma typically results from a single event that is extreme enough to threaten the individual’s physical or emotional security. Acute trauma can result from an accident, a rape, an assault, or a natural disaster. This event will create a lasting impression on the person’s mind to the extent that it could affect the way they behave and think. Acute trauma symptoms generally include:

• Confusion
• Irritation
• Excessive anxiety or panic
• Sleep difficulties
• Lack of self-care or grooming
• Feeling disconnected
• Inability to focus on work or studies
• Unreasonable lack of trust
• Aggressive behavior

Chronic Trauma

When an individual is exposed to multiple, long-term, or prolonged traumatic events over an extended period of time, they can suffer from chronic trauma. Events that can cause chronic trauma include a long-term serious illness, domestic violence, exposure to extreme situations such as a war, sexual abuse, and bullying. When multiple events of acute trauma occur or if acute trauma remains untreated, it can progress to chronic trauma.

Chronic trauma symptoms can appear years after the event or series of events and are deeply distressing to the individual. These symptoms can include anxiety, extreme anger, unpredictable emotional outbursts, fatigue, body aches and headaches, and flashbacks. The person experiencing chronic trauma can have trust issues that can cause problems in their relationships and their job.

Complex Trauma

An individual who feels trapped because of exposure to multiple traumatic events that fall within the context of an interpersonal relationship can experience complex trauma. This type of trauma often results from neglect, domestic violence, abuse, family disputes and repetitive and continuing stressful situations such as civil unrest. Complex trauma can have a severe impact on the individual’s mental health, also affecting overall health as well as relationships and performance at school or work.

Trauma Treatment

Understanding how to cope with trauma can be critical to an individual’s mental and physical health. Seeking professional treatment is the first step. Additional steps to better cope with the effects of traumatic events can include:

• Understanding that symptoms experienced immediately after the trauma may be normal, depending on the situation and the severity of the symptoms.
• Keeping to a regular routine.
• Taking time to resolve conflicts as they occur so they do not add to the stress level experienced from the trauma.
• Finding healthy, positive ways to practice self-care, to relax, and to reduce stress and anxiety.
• Turning to a support network of trusted family members and friends as someone to talk to about experiences and feelings resulting from the trauma.

California Faith-Based Mental Health and Addiction Treatment

Celebrate Hope is here for you when you need help with mental health issues such as trauma and PTSD, particularly when they co-occur with addiction. Please contact Celebrate Hope to learn more about our faith-based dual diagnosis treatment program. Our team helps men and women address the vicious cycle of mental illness and addiction so they can begin life anew. We rely on the teachings of Jesus Christ, along with evidence-based therapies to get individuals on the path of recovery.

Raising Awareness About PTSD

Last month, we directed our focus on mental health and co-occurring mental illnesses that accompany addiction. May was Mental Health Month. Today, we would like to direct your attention toward post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Every June is PTSD Awareness Month.

PTSD is a condition you may hear about a lot in the coming months and years in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The coronavirus public health crisis has impacted countless lives across the globe. More than 2.5 million Americans have tested positive for COVID-19, and more than 120 thousand have died from health complications related to the virus.

Post-traumatic stress can arise in a person's life for a number of reasons. It's not just people in the military who contend with the severe form of mental illness. Experiencing any kind of traumatic event, such as the loss of a loved one, can have a dramatic impact on a person's life.

Prolonged stents of loneliness and isolation can have a negative impact on your psychological well-being. It's worth noting that millions of Americans live alone and cannot rely on others' support while weathering the pandemic storm.

Isolation also has a pernicious effect on men and women who struggle with mental illness. Those living with mental health disorders have found the current crisis a real challenging event. With no end in sight, anxiety plagues millions of people, including those who contend with PTSD.

PTSD Awareness Month: Treatment Works

PTSD is not a rare disorder; some 8 million people live with PTSD in America. At this time, it is vital to support those living with the condition and let those with untreated post-traumatic stress know that treatment works. Many people who meet the criteria for PTSD also struggle with addiction. Self-medicating with drugs and alcohol is exceptionally common amongst those afflicted by the condition.

Addicts and alcoholics living with co-occurring PTSD must receive simultaneous treatment for both conditions. Each of us can play a role in raising awareness and encouraging those who are struggling to seek assistance. We can all make a difference in the lives of Veterans and anyone who has experienced trauma. It's a critical mission; the National Center for PTSD points out that:

"Most people who have PTSD don't get the help they need...Everyone with PTSD—whether they are Veterans or civilian survivors of sexual assault, serious accidents, natural disasters, or other traumatic events—needs to know that treatments really do work and can lead to a better quality of life."

As the month ends and all year long, you can join the National Center for PTSD in raising awareness and help people in your community find the courage to seek treatment. Men and women living with untreated mental and behavioral health disorders are at significant risk and more prone to self-destructive behaviors and suicidal ideations. Please keep in mind:  

Anyone can develop PTSD at any age. There are factors that can increase the chance someone will develop PTSD, and these are often not under that person's control.
 

Faith-Based Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Celebrate Hope is a faith-based addiction treatment center in Southern California. We utilize evidence-based therapies, 12 Step principles, and the teachings of Jesus Christ to help men and women overcome addiction and co-occurring mental illnesses like PTSD. Please contact us today to begin the journey of recovery.

The Vietnam War, PTSD and Addiction

There is a significant number of people working programs of addiction recovery today who are living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A serious mental health condition involving individuals who feel stressed or frightened even when they are not in danger. In many cases, people’s addiction was the result of coping with untreated PTSD. The symptoms can be blunted, for a time, by drugs and alcohol; but, in the end substance use and abuse only serves to worsen one's symptoms. When one’s PTSD is triggered while in recovery, there is great risk of relapse.

The disorder can manifest itself in a number of ways, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), such as:

• Re-experiencing Symptoms: Flashbacks, bad dreams and frightening thoughts.
• Avoidance Symptoms: staying away from places, events, or objects linked to the trauma. Avoiding thoughts or feelings related to the trauma.
• Arousal and Reactivity Symptoms: Being easily startled, feeling tense or “on edge,” difficulty sleeping and outbursts of anger.
• Cognition and Mood Symptoms: Trouble remembering key features of the traumatic event, negative thoughts about oneself or the world, distorted feelings like guilt or blame and loss of interest in enjoyable activities.

PTSD can occur in anyone who has experienced a traumatic event, such as a violent attack or serious injury. However, the condition is most commonly associated with combat veterans, and for good reason. Those who go off to war or armed conflict of any kind are exposed to horrific events. Asked to do things that under normal circumstances would be unthinkable. While most people make it through to the other side of battle without the lingering effects of trauma, many are not so fortunate. People with PTSD are at risk of being triggered by a host of cues for the rest for their lives.

 

The Vietnam War and PTSD

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that PTSD afflicts almost 31 percent of Vietnam veterans. As was pointed out earlier, PTSD episodes can be triggered by anything linked to the traumatic event. So, it is fair to say that "The Vietnam War: A Film by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick" is the epitome of a trigger. The ten-part, 18-hour documentary film series is chock full of the graphic images and sounds of one of the darkest chapters in American history.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is urging Vietnam Vets to take precaution if they are planning to watch the series. Watch the series with a loved one and be prepared to reach out for help from the VA. Viewing the documentary can easily trigger PTSD.

PTSD and Addiction

Many Vietnam Veterans went years before seeking help for their PTSD. The United States has been in many armed conflicts since that time, and there are many young men and women who are
self-medicating their PTSD with drugs and alcohol today. Treatment works, but it requires that both the PTSD and substance use disorder be treated at the same time. If you or a loved one is living with addiction and a co-occurring mental health disorder like PTSD, please contact Celebrate Hope at Hope by The Sea.