Betrayal Trauma and Complex PTSD
Betrayal Trauma and Complex PTSD
Betrayal trauma and Complex PTSD (CPTSD) are two interconnected psychological phenomena that affect individuals exposed to severe, ongoing trauma, often within relationships of trust. Dr. Jennifer J. Freyd’s and Dr. Pamela Birrell’s research, as expanded upon by Hijung and Yalch, details the impacts of betrayal and chronic trauma on mental health. Their work underscores the ways such experiences shape the psyche and influence emotional and behavioral responses.
Betrayal trauma occurs when individuals experience harm or threat of harm from trusted people or institutions. This harm violates relational expectations and creates a deep sense of betrayal. Unlike other forms of trauma, betrayal trauma strikes at the heart of trust and safety, often involving close relationships with family, intimate partners, or authority figures. The intensity of the trauma is magnified by the betrayal of the person or system that was supposed to provide security and care.
Complex PTSD, a condition proposed to capture the long-term impacts of chronic trauma, shares similarities with traditional PTSD but also encompasses a broader range of symptoms. These may include difficulties with emotional regulation, negative self-concept, disturbances in relationships, and a persistent sense of helplessness. Individuals with CPTSD often experience difficulties in forming and maintaining healthy relationships, which can be exacerbated by experiences of betrayal trauma.
Hijung and Yalch have extended the understanding of betrayal trauma and CPTSD by exploring the nuanced ways in which betrayal impacts individuals’ psychological well-being. Their research highlights several key insights:
Impact on Trust and Safety: Betrayal trauma fractures an individual’s sense of trust and safety in relationships, leading to profound psychological distress. This breach of trust can manifest in hypervigilance, fear of intimacy, and difficulties in forming secure attachments.
Chronic exposure to betrayal trauma can contribute to the development of CPTSD that result in symptoms that last long after the traumatic events have ceased. Understanding the unique characteristics of these conditions is crucial for effective therapeutic treatment. Therapists must address the traumatic events, the lost trust, and disrupted sense of safety that accompany these experiences. Approaches such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) and mindfulness-based interventions have proven successful.
The research of Hijung and Yalch shows the importance of recognizing and addressing the impacts of betrayal trauma within the framework of Complex PTSD. By understanding how betrayal trauma fractures trust and safety in relationships and contributes to long-term psychological distress, we can better support individuals in their recovery. Through compassionate and evidence-based interventions, we can empower survivors to have a sense of agency and rebuild trust.
