How to Cope with Betrayal Trauma

Although betrayal trauma has a massive effect – on your mind, emotions and ability to function – there are steps you can take which can help you to heal. They include:

1. First, recognize that you are dealing with betrayal trauma. Sometime we’re so distraught and overwhelmed that we can’t face the truth of what has happened to us. We’re in what has been described as betrayal blindness. This takes the form of minimizing how badly we’ve been treated, persuading ourselves that perhaps it never happened, or numbing the truth by checking out of life (e.g. by dulling our feelings with drugs, alcohol, or over-eating).

However, acknowledging the truth is empowering for us. We can now become proactive in our own recovery.

2. Get to know your triggers. Of course, you are going to be triggered unexpectedly at times, but it helps if you can also identify…