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Tag: relationships

  • What are the symptoms of trauma bond withdrawal? – Health Cages

    What are the symptoms of trauma bond withdrawal? – Health Cages

    Introduction:

    The concept of trauma bonding and its profound impact on individuals in various relationships. Trauma bonding occurs when someone becomes emotionally attached to a person who alternates between hurting them and being kind to them. This pattern often occurs in abusive romantic relationships but can also be observed in other contexts such as child abuse, hostage situations, and cult dynamics.

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    We’ve explored the stages of trauma bonding, starting with the initial charm phase where the abuser makes the victim feel special, followed by cycles of abuse, guilt, excuses, and fantasy. Understanding these stages is essential for recognizing and breaking free from trauma bonds. By acknowledging the signs and seeking support, individuals can begin the journey toward healing and regaining control of their lives.

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    These topics are well discussed in this blog: 

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    What Does Trauma Bonding Mean?

    Trauma bonding happens when you get attached to someone because of a pattern: first, there are hurt feelings or bad things happening, like being treated badly or feeling upset. Then, something good happens, like the person being nice to you.

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    Trauma bonds usually happen a lot in romantic relationships. And when you try to leave these relationships, it’s tough. It’s hard to deal with your feelings, especially when the person who hurt you starts being nice again.

    Trauma Bond Withdrawal Symptoms

    Here are some things you might feel when you’re getting over a tough relationship

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    • Strong Urges You might want to get back with your ex, even if you know it’s not good for you. You might even want to keep fighting with them or have sex with them.
    • Feeling Down You could feel really sad, anxious, or hopeless because of the breakup. It’s normal to feel this way, especially after a bad relationship.
    • Not Feeling Good About Yourself When a relationship ends, it can make you feel bad about yourself. This feeling can be even worse if you are treated badly in the relationship. But with the help of a therapist, you can start feeling better about yourself and learn how to avoid bad relationships in the future.
    • Feeling Confused You might be unsure about your feelings. It’s hard to understand why you still care about someone who treated you badly.

    Sometimes, your body reacts to the stress of a breakup. You might get headaches, lose your appetite, or have trouble sleeping. You might want to be by yourself for a while. You could feel embarrassed about what happened or worry about what others will think.

    Real-Life Examples of Trauma Bonds

    Here are some real-life examples that show how trauma bonding works

    • Abusive Relationships Sometimes, even when someone knows their partner is hurting them, they still feel deeply attached to them.
    • Child Abuse Children whom their caregivers mistreat might grow up feeling tied to them emotionally, which makes it hard for them to leave or break free.
    • Hostages and Their Captors People who are taken hostage might develop a bond with their captors to survive, even if they don’t like them.
    • Cults People in cults often feel strongly connected to their leaders, even though the leader may be harming them.

    Understanding how trauma bonds work is important for healing. It helps people realize why they feel attached to those who hurt them and why breaking free from those connections is important. At BrightPoint, MD, we help people break these ties and feel mentally well again.

    7 Stages Of Trauma Bonding?

    Understanding how trauma bonds work can be hard because they happen in stages. Here’s a simple model to help you see how it goes:

    • Charm Stage At the beginning, the abuser is nice to their partner, making them feel special and loved. This creates a strong bond between them.
    • Abuse Stage After a while, the abuser starts being mean or hurtful. This can be confusing for the victim, but they might still want to stay in the relationship.
    • Guilt Stage After hurting their partner, the abuser might try to make themselves feel better by blaming the victim or making them feel guilty.
    • Excuse Stage Both the abuser and the victim might try to justify the bad behavior, thinking it’s somehow their fault, which keeps them tied together emotionally.
    • Reset Stage Things might calm down for a while, and the victim might start feeling close to the abuser again.
    • Fantasy Stage The victim might start believing that things are getting better and that the relationship is normal and healthy now.
    • Repetition Stage But then, the abuser might go back to being hurtful, starting the whole cycle over again, making the trauma bond even stronger.

    Conclusion

    In conclusion, trauma bonding is a complex psychological phenomenon that affects individuals in various relationships, from romantic partners to hostage situations and cult dynamics. Understanding the stages of trauma bonding, from the initial charm to the repetitive cycle of abuse, guilt, and fantasy, is crucial for those seeking to break free from harmful connections. By recognizing the signs and seeking support, individuals can embark on a journey toward healing and reclaiming their mental well-being. At BrightPoint MD, we are committed to helping individuals break free from trauma bonds and regain control of their lives. Remember, you are not alone, and there is hope for a brighter future beyond the cycle of abuse.

    Faq’s

    Q1. How long does the trauma bond last?

    A1. An individual’s willingness to heal, as well as the severity of the abuse, determines how long it takes for a trauma bond to break. Trauma bonding can negatively affect a person’s mental health and well-being for many years.

    Q2. Why is it so hard to leave a trauma bond?

    A2. In trauma bonds, this tendency is exaggerated. You want to protect the abuser rather than yourself. They are often preyed upon and attracted to narcissists and abusers. It is easy for you to make excuses for the abuser or hide or lie about it.

    Q3. What are the stages of breaking a trauma bond?

    A3. There are 7 stages of trauma bonding, including gaslighting, love bombing, emotional addiction, criticism, loss of self, trust, dependency, and resigning to control.

    Q4. How do trauma bonds end?

    A4. There is no easy way to break a trauma bond alone, and support is crucial. Unbiased support refers to someone outside the situation who isn’t part of your life or invested in your choices. A support group, or an online forum with other women going through something similar, might be a good place to start.

    Q5. What happens when a trauma bond ends?

    A5. Trauma bond withdrawal symptoms can include cravings for the person or the way you felt after making up with them, anxiety, feelings of panic, and flashbacks to the relationship. These symptoms can make you question your decision to leave or cut off contact, but they will lessen with time.

    Mental Health Journey Continues: Explore our blog for a deeper dive into well-being:

  • You are trauma-bonded if you exhibit these 10 signs – Health Cages

    You are trauma-bonded if you exhibit these 10 signs – Health Cages

    Introduction:

    In this blog, we’ve learned about trauma bonding, which occurs in abusive relationships where cycles of mistreatment are interspersed with moments of kindness, leading to a confusing mix of love and pain. We identified signs of trauma bonding, such as excusing bad behavior, difficulty leaving, and feeling trapped, and explored ways to break free from these bonds, including seeking support, setting boundaries, and practicing self-care. By recognizing the trauma, educating oneself, and seeking help, individuals can embark on a journey of healing and empowerment, gradually reclaiming their autonomy and building a brighter future free from the grip of abuse.

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    We’ll discuss these topics in this blog:

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    What Is Trauma Bonding?

    Trauma bonding happens when abusive relationships get stuck in a cycle of abuse. It starts with bad behavior, then there’s a brief period of kindness, and the cycle repeats. It can happen over weeks, months, or years, but not everyone in an abusive situation forms this bond. It’s confusing because the abuse is mixed with love and care, and you might start feeling sorry for the abuser. This doesn’t just happen in domestic abuse—it can also happen in child abuse, incest, elder abuse, exploitative work situations, kidnapping, human trafficking, and in strict religious environments.

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    Certain things make it more likely for someone to get stuck in a trauma bond. These include being poor, having mental health problems, and not having people to support them. Having a job, a safe home, mental health support, and friends or family can help boost self-esteem and reduce the risk.

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    10 signs of trauma bonding

    01. Confusing Love and Pain

    Being with a narcissist feels intense, but it’s not healthy intimacy. They switch between being nice and being mean, which makes it hard to know what’s real.

    02. Excusing Bad Behavior

    People in trauma bonds often make excuses for their partner’s abuse. They might blame stress or their actions for the mistreatment, even though abuse is never okay.

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    03. Trouble Leaving

    Even when they know the relationship is bad, they feel stuck. They’re emotionally tied to their partner and hope things will get better, even though it’s hard to leave.

    04. Cycle of Love and Hurt

    The relationship swings between feeling great and feeling awful. The abuser showers them with love one minute and then treats them badly the next. This cycle keeps them hooked.

    05. Cut Off from Support

    The narcissist isolates them from friends and family, making it harder to leave. They might criticize their loved ones or take up all their time so they have nobody else to turn to.

    06. Fear of Being Alone

    They’re terrified of being abandoned, so they put up with the abuse. The abuser plays on this fear to control them.

    07. Feeling Trapped

    They feel like they can’t escape, even though they know the relationship is toxic. Their self-esteem suffers, and they lose sight of their worth.

    08. Protecting the Abuser

    They defend their partner from others, even when they know they’re in the wrong. It’s a way of coping with the trauma bond.

    09. Withdrawal Symptoms

    When they’re away from their partner, they feel anxious and restless, like they’re going through withdrawal from a drug.

    10. Ignoring Their Own Needs

    They put their partner’s needs ahead of their own, even if it’s hurting them. They neglect their health, emotions, and goals to keep their partner happy.

    A Guide To Breaking Traumatic Bonds

    Breaking traumatic bonds is a challenging and deeply personal journey. Traumatic bonds, also known as trauma bonds, are emotional connections that form between a person and their abuser, often resulting from cycles of abuse, manipulation, and dependency. These bonds can be incredibly strong and can persist long after the abusive relationship has ended. Here’s a guide to breaking free from traumatic bonds:

    Recognize the Trauma

    Acknowledge that you have experienced trauma and understand its impact on your life. This recognition is the first step towards healing.

    Seek Support

    You don’t have to go through this alone. Reach out to trusted friends, family members, or a therapist who can provide support, guidance, and understanding.

    Educate Yourself

    Learn about trauma bonds and the dynamics of abusive relationships. Understanding why and how these bonds form can empower you to break free from them.

    Set Boundaries

    Establish clear boundaries with your abuser, and if possible, cut off contact completely. This might be difficult, but it’s essential for your well-being.

    Practice Self-Care

    Prioritize self-care activities that nurture your physical, emotional, and mental health. This could include exercise, meditation, creative outlets, or spending time in nature.

    Challenge Negative Thoughts

    Trauma can distort your perception of yourself and the world around you. Challenge negative thoughts and beliefs about yourself that may have been instilled by your abuser.

    Process Your Feelings

    Allow yourself to feel and express the full range of emotions that come with breaking free from a traumatic bond. Journaling, art therapy, or talking to a therapist can help in this process.

    Develop a Support Network

    Surround yourself with supportive and understanding people who validate your experiences and encourage your healing journey.

    Create New Rituals

    Replace old, harmful rituals or habits with new ones that promote healing and growth. This could be as simple as starting a daily gratitude practice or setting aside time for self-reflection.

    Seek Professional Help

    Consider therapy or counseling to work through the trauma and its effects on your life. A qualified therapist can provide you with tools and techniques to cope with your experiences and move forward.

    Stay Patient and Persistent

    Healing from traumatic bonds takes time and effort. Be patient with yourself and celebrate small victories along the way. Remember that progress is not always linear, and setbacks are a natural part of the healing process.

    Breaking free from traumatic bonds is a courageous and empowering journey toward reclaiming your autonomy and rebuilding your life on your terms. Remember that you are not defined by your past experiences, and healing is possible with time, support, and self-compassion.

    Conclusion

    Breaking free from traumatic bonds is hard but it helps you become strong and take back control of your life after experiencing abuse. First, you need to understand what happened to you and how it affected you. Then, it’s important to talk to people you trust and learn about abusive relationships. Setting clear rules with your abuser and taking care of yourself are important steps too.

    You can also try changing your negative thoughts and feelings by writing them down or talking to someone. Surrounding yourself with supportive friends and family, and creating new habits can also help you heal.

    Healing takes time, and it’s okay to ask for help from a therapist or counselor. Be patient with yourself and celebrate every small step you take towards feeling better. You have the power to overcome your past and build a better future for yourself.

    Faq’s 

    Q1. How can I break free from a trauma bond?

    A1. Breaking a trauma bond involves prioritizing healthy relationships and self-care. Engage in activities you enjoy, spend time with supportive friends and family, and seek professional help if needed to rebuild your self-esteem and sense of worth.

    Q2. Can a trauma bond evolve into genuine love?

    A2. While individuals in a trauma bond may mistake their intense emotional connection for love, it’s important to recognize that true love is built on mutual respect and care, not cycles of abuse. Despite the desire for it to be love, a trauma bond does not transform into a healthy relationship.

    Q3. What initiates a trauma bond?

    A3. A trauma bond forms between an abuser and the person they abuse when the victim begins to develop feelings of attachment or sympathy toward the abuser. This bond can develop gradually over time, as the abusive dynamics unfold, but not everyone who experiences abuse will develop a trauma bond.

    Q4. How do trauma bonds differ from genuine love?

    A4. Trauma bonds and genuine love are distinguishable because the former involves cycles of abuse or trauma, whereas love is characterized by mutual respect, trust, and care. While a trauma bond may mimic feelings of love, it lacks the healthy foundation of a genuine, respectful relationship.

    Q5. What occurs when breaking a trauma bond?

    A5. Breaking a trauma bond can trigger intense withdrawal symptoms, flashbacks, cravings for the abusive person, and persistent thoughts about the traumatic experiences. It may feel like a challenging process with setbacks, but with support and determination, healing is possible.

    Your mental health journey starts here: Read our blog:

  • Discover How Maternity Coaching Can Boost Your Pregnancy Experience

    Discover How Maternity Coaching Can Boost Your Pregnancy Experience

    Why Maternity Coaching is Your Secret Weapon

    Let’s face it – raising a baby takes a toll on your boss, but it doesn’t mean you have to lose a star employee. Seriously, who’s saying “who cares if a lady goes on maternity leave?” The top‑tired tragedy is the cost of letting a top performer go: it’s like paying a 3rd‑to‑5th‑time bonus on top of her salary.

    What’s the Real Loss?

    • Recruitment costs: the usual ads, agency fees, and time hunting someone with the same skill set.
    • Training: hours you’ve poured into making her a champion.
    • Client knowledge: the trust she’s built.
    • Team morale: a ripple effect that can bruise people behind the scenes.

    So, if you’re a forward‑thinking boss, you’ll want to ask: “How do I keep our star mother working hard before, during, and after her break?” The answer: maternity coaching.

    What Is Maternity Coaching?

    Think of it like a sport’s pre‑game training, but for mums. It’s a targeted support system tackling the big life shift – you sign up before the leave, you keep calm during the removal, and you punch back into the office with full force.

    Why You’d Love It

    • Retention boost: Working mothers feel seen and valued, so they stay.
    • Ready for the return: Clear goals and a “back‑to‑business” plan reduce the shock of getting back.
    • Seamless hand‑overs: Smooth knowledge transfer – it’s not a cliff‑hanging cliff.
    • Healthy touch‑points: The right balance of stay‑in‑touch days keeps the team close without the “I’ll call you in the morning” drama.

    How It Works

    It’s almost like a love‑that‑does‑everything‑hotel. A coach helps your employee:

    1. Set & nail goals before the leave.
    2. Plan a strategic hand‑over for all projects.
    3. Keep communication semi‑open so neither side feels “ghosted.”
    4. Finalize a return‑to‑work checklist – no surprises.

    Then you’ll see performance soar, and the whole team feels cooler. That’s the magic sauce.

    The Big Picture

    Maternity coaching isn’t just about dodging a headache. It’s a statement: “We’re here for our folks, we’re flexible, and we’re invested.” That creates a positive brand voice and attracts top women who are become a huge part of the workforce.

    So, ready to keep your team intact and thriving? Give maternity coaching a try. And if you want a deeper dive, just drop us a line at www.threedomsolutions.co.uk or ping us on twitter @3domSolutions for the low‑down.

  • Largest Group Of Lawbreaking Gang Members Is Aged 13 To 16, FBI Report Reveals

    Largest Group Of Lawbreaking Gang Members Is Aged 13 To 16, FBI Report Reveals

    Authored by Naveen Athrappully via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),

    The biggest cohort involved in gang activity in the United States is youths 13 to 16 years old, the FBI revealed as part of the agency’s Gang Activity, 2021–2024 special report published on Sept. 8.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation building in Washington on Aug. 7, 2025. Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times

    There were 79,507 offenders engaged in gang activities during the four years, and of these, 19,163 were aged 13 to 16—the highest among all age groups.

    This was followed by 17- to 19-year-olds with 13,563 offenders, and those 20 to 24 with 11,452 offenders.

    “Over one-third (33.8 percent) of offenders were juveniles under the age of 18, and more than half (58.2 percent) were under the age of 25,” the report said.

    Besides being top offenders, the 13- to 16-year age group also accounted for the largest number of victims of gang activity. More than half of the victims were under the age of 30.

    “Of known victim-offender relationships for incidents involving gang activity, 67.1 percent of victims knew the offenders in some manner. Conversely, 30.1 percent of relationships described the offenders as strangers.”

    According to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the juvenile justice system in the United States aims to rehabilitate youth found guilty of crimes rather than punish them.

    “In many cases, juveniles face much lower maximum possible sentences compared to adults convicted of the same offense,” the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) justice manual states.

    “Juveniles under the age of 18 will not be detained past their 21st birthday, and individuals aged 18 to 21 who are being prosecuted as juveniles will face a maximum of five years.”

    Charges against juveniles are not pursued as criminal prosecutions but as delinquency proceedings, it said. Juveniles also have robust privacy protections, including sealed records, non-jury trials, and closed rooms.

    When a legal system implements softer punishments for children, it’s an incentive for gangs to recruit kids, Daniel Brunner, a retired FBI special agent, said in a post on LinkedIn.

    “Gangs seek petty criminals, and they promote teenage recruits to commit petty crimes—presumably because these young recruits are not only undisciplined and easily influenced but also largely immune to serious legal consequences,” he wrote.

    “On some occasions, youth which have proven themselves as trust worthy, may be tasked to conduct more serious acts, such as look out for a homicide, sexual assault, and possibly even murder. The legal consequences are typically very weak for younger criminals, especially at the Federal level, allowing these gangs to get away with these crimes.”

    ‘Not Afraid of Law Enforcement’

    Juvenile delinquency was one of the main reasons cited by President Donald Trump for his crackdown on crime in the nation’s capital.

    “Crime in Washington, D.C., is totally out of control. Local ‘youths’ and gang members, some only 14, 15, and 16-years-old, are randomly attacking, mugging, maiming, and shooting innocent Citizens, at the same time knowing that they will be almost immediately released,” Trump said in an Aug. 6 post on Truth Social.

    He shared a picture of 19-year-old DOGE staff member Edward Coristine, who was attacked last month allegedly by 10 juveniles during an attempted carjacking incident and left bloodied.

    “They are not afraid of Law Enforcement because they know nothing ever happens to them, but it’s going to happen now! The Law in D.C. must be changed to prosecute these ‘minors’ as adults, and lock them up for a long time, starting at age 14,” Trump wrote.

    Trump federalized the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department on Aug. 11, ordering 800 troops from the National Guard to assist with law enforcement. This past week, the District of Columbia sued the Trump administration, arguing that “the military should not be involved in domestic law enforcement.”

    Meanwhile, crime committed by youngsters in school locations has risen over the past several years, according to the FBI’s Crime in Schools, 2020–2024 report.

    In 2024, there were 329,424 criminal incidents, more than triple the 100,810 reported in 2020. The age group most frequently reported as offenders was 13 to 15, the FBI said.

    Out of the 1.25 million known offenders over the five years, 478,279 were in this age group, followed by 297,873 who were 16 to 18, according to the report.

    “Many of the victims were not hurt or suffered only a minor injury and were acquainted with the offender,” it said.

    According to a 2017 post by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), some children and adolescents are motivated to join gangs to have a sense of connection in formative years.

    Risks of children joining gangs increase when they grow up in areas with high gang activity, lower adult supervision, a lack of hope about the future due to limited education or finances, a lack of positive role models, and unstructured free time.

    Parents may face gang retaliation when confronting a child suspected of being a gang member.

    Moreover, parents may be held liable for their children’s past behavior, the AACAP said.

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