Trauma bonding is an intense emotional connection that is formed between an abused individual and their abuser. Abuse in a traumatic bond can be either physical or emotional. While traumatic bonding can occur in all types of relationships (friends and family included) the strongest are typically romantic. Traumatic bonds are…
In 2020, reported losses from romance scams totaled $304 million. Heartbroken victims reported losing not only their money, but also their dignity and the futures they’d envisioned with their loved ones. You can take practical steps to protect yourself from romance scammers, like learning to identify the psychological biases these…
Manipulation can come from a lot of sources, but it hurts most when it comes from our loved ones. Intimate partners with dark personality traits may use a variety of subversive tactics to exercise control and achieve their own goals. Gaslighting, emotional blackmail, and the weaponization of love can all…
Brainwashing is an outdated psychological concept, but narcissistic cult leaders can still exercise extreme influence over smart, sane, “regular” people. You can protect yourself from cultic mind control techniques by learning the warning signs and asking the right questions. Destructive cults use love-bombing, isolation, and phobia indoctrination to overwhelm cognition. …
Leaving an abusive relationship can be difficult and complicated—especially when there is a child involved. Victims of the abuse might feel uncertain about what to do in these situations, but the short answer is always the same: leave. To go into greater depth, the victim should do what they can…
Abuse often has short-term and long-term effects on those who fall victim to it, as it is a seriously distressing experience. Life can alter in a few ways, after the abuse; for example, one might have trouble trusting future partners or avoid romantic relationships altogether. Additionally, one can experience a…
Any kind of abuse—whether it be physical, emotional, mental, sexual, etc.—can lead to PTSD, as abuse is a highly emotionally distressing experience. The overactivation of stress hormones causes the victim of abuse to experience a fight, flight or freeze response, which makes it near impossible for the individual to focus…
Abuse is never the victim’s fault; however, the way that you respond to abusive behavior might signal to your partner that the abuse is okay. First, if you allow your significant other to spew condescending comments at you, they’ll continue to do so; you should put your foot down and…
Friendships can be abusive and you can spot the abuse by simply learning to listen to your inner self. You can tap into your inner self by paying attention to bodily sensations: which might be a tightness or heaviness in the chest, for example. Now, to understand how you feel…
Violent relationships are never okay, but is it possible for them to get better? That depends on if it’s characterological violence or situational violence. Characterological violence is rooted in controlling and dominating behavior; this form of abuse is often innate and unchangeable, which means the relationship is likely unsalvageable. Situational…
Verbal and emotional abuse are often used interchangeably, but while they might overlap, they are two different forms of abuse with distinct characteristics. Verbal abusers use language to hurt another person; this might involve speaking aggressively or violently, or it could mean not saying a single word. A few common…