Betrayal trauma - meaning and definition
Alsoinfidelity traumabetrayal trauma theory
Definition
Betrayal trauma is psychological harm caused when someone a person depends on and trusts, such as a caregiver or partner, violates that trust in a serious way.
At a glance
- Betrayal trauma is harm caused when someone a person depends on seriously violates their trust.
- Jennifer Freyd introduced betrayal trauma theory in the 1990s.
- Betrayal blindness describes the mind minimising awareness of harm to preserve a needed relationship.
- The term is now also used for distress after discovering a partner's infidelity or hidden behaviour.
In detail
Psychologist Jennifer Freyd introduced betrayal trauma theory in the 1990s. She argued that when harm comes from someone we rely on, the mind may minimise or block awareness of it in order to preserve the relationship, a process she called betrayal blindness.
The term is now also used for the distress some people feel after discovering a partner's infidelity or hidden behaviour. Reactions can include intrusive thoughts, difficulty trusting and questioning one's own judgement. These responses are understandable, and therapists experienced in trauma or couples work can help people process them.
In a sentence
- After finding out about the affair, she said the betrayal trauma made it hard to trust her own judgement.
- The book explains betrayal blindness as part of betrayal trauma theory.
Where the word comes from
Psychologist Jennifer Freyd developed betrayal trauma theory in the 1990s, including in her 1996 book Betrayal Trauma.
Common questions
What are common reactions to betrayal trauma?
People describe intrusive thoughts, difficulty trusting, questioning their own judgement, trouble sleeping and strong mood swings. These responses are understandable. A therapist experienced in trauma or couples work can help people process what happened.