How to Find and Experience Freedom From Betrayal Trauma
Independence Day is just around the corner. As such, you may be preparing to spend time celebrating the freedoms we as Americans enjoy. However, if you're living with betrayal trauma, your celebrations may be tainted by heartache or even despair.
Living with betrayal trauma may leave you feeling like you're being held captive by symptoms. For example, it can damage your sense of safety, self-esteem and cause anxiety. As a result, you may be ready to find relief from symptoms and feel like yourself again. The problem, however, is you may not be sure where to go or what to do to heal.
Let's talk about ways to help you experience the freedom that comes with healing from betrayal trauma.
Understanding the Impact of Betrayal Trauma
The word betrayal means to break a promise, faith, or trust. When this occurs within a relationship, it violates bonds of intimacy, love, and friendship. As a result, you may develop betrayal trauma.
Betrayal trauma is the emotional and physiological consequences of a betrayal. As such, it can lead to a variety of symptoms, including those similar to PTSD. For example, in addition to no longer trusting your partner, you may develop trust issues with others or yourself. Likewise, you may question your ability to form healthy relationships. In addition, you may blame yourself for your partner's actions. All these symptoms can wreak havoc on your ability to find enjoyment in life. Betrayal trauma can also lead to various mental health issues, including depression and anxiety.
Some view the notion of trauma and its associated effects as a relatively modern idea. For example, research has helped us better understand the way people react to stressful or traumatic situations. We've learned betrayal trauma can have a long-lasting impact on many areas of life. Likewise, we know it can affect our ability to feel and express emotion and form and maintain relationships. It can also lead to a variety of mental health issues.
Regarding infidelity,
ADDO Recovery reports over 70% of women will experience betrayal trauma. Likewise,
a study by Dr. Kevin Skinner found 43% of spouses live with the effects for more than two years.
Betrayal trauma can be exhausting and overwhelming to live with. You deserve to experience freedom from your symptoms and heal.
Finding Freedom After Betrayal Trauma
There is a sense of freedom that comes with healing from betrayal trauma. There are many steps you can take that can help you heal. Let's talk about a few.
First, find support. There are many support groups for men and women who are living with betrayal trauma. Connecting to a support group can offer you validation and hope. Likewise, it can be a place to learn what the process of healing looks like for others. For example,
BLOOMforWomen.com is a network of over 40,000 women who are healing from betrayal.
Next, engage in self-care. Meditation, sleep, healthy eating habits, and exercise are all great ways to help boost your mental health. Yoga is a great way to connect your mind and body and can aid in the healing process.
Finally, seek professional help. The process of healing can be rather complex. As such, treatment offers many benefits and can help set you up for success.
At
Walk By Faith Counseling, we specialize in treating those with betrayal trauma. We would love to help guide you through the process of healing and recovery. As we prepare to celebrate our nation's freedom and independence, we'd also love to help you celebrate life after healing. Please visit our website to learn more.
