For me the trauma affected me with anxiety, trying to control the situation, depression, obsession. –Anne Blythe, founder of Betrayal Trauma Recovery

Victims of Emotional Abuse Deserve a Voice

Tragically, family, friends, clergy, and therapists further abuse victims. When they say that the emotional abuse is not real or serious, victims are re-traumatized.

 “That was the most traumatizing part–going for help, screaming and yelling saying ‘I need help!’ and having people just look at me and say, ‘Well, stop asking him questions. Stop making such a ruckus.’ It was so awful.” Anne Blythe, founder of Betrayal Trauma Recovery

Women deserve to be heard and supported, not dismissed. Receive support at the Betrayal Trauma Recovery Group.

“So, not only is there all of the pain that’s happening with traumatic things recurring in the relationship. An additional issue is then when they reach out to other people they are being dismissed and they’re being told that they are making a big deal out of nothing.

That really compounds the traumatic experience. You know, I don’t know which one is more traumatic, the experience of being betrayed, being lied to, being manipulated in your own marriage, or then reaching out for help and having people tell you that you’re crazy.” –– Dr. Adam Moore owner and clinical director at Utah Valley Counseling

Women in Betrayal Trauma May Experience Significant Grief

For most women something like this actually feels worse than a death because it is not a concrete loss. Because the person is still there and oftentimes there is this hope that maybe he’ll change, maybe he’ll figure things out, maybe he will ‘come back from the dead,’ if you will.– Dr. Adam Moore owner and clinical director at Utah Valley Counseling

Women feel immense grief when they experience emotional abuse and/or physical, sexual, or other kinds of relational abuse at the hands of a partner. Often, they go through these incredibly difficult emotions alone.

I felt like my husband had died – he was gone. He had abused me and betrayed me and then he was gone, and didn’t do anything to try and change or resolve the situation – which felt like another betrayal. And I felt so alone. My three children and I were abandoned. –Anne Blythe, founder of Betrayal Trauma Recovery

What Does Betrayal Trauma Feel Like?

Wondering if you are in betrayal trauma? Often, victims experience:

• Grief
• Numbness
• Rage
• Depression
• Insomnia and other sleep issues
• Difficulty eating or overeating
• Anxiety
• Terror
• Paranoia
• Headaches
• Body aches and pains

Betrayal Trauma Recovery Supports Victims of Emotional Abuse

At BTR, we understand the severity of emotional abuse and betrayal trauma. The free BTR podcast is available to victims. Tune in and hear other women’s stories of finding freedom and healing after abuse. 

The Betrayal Trauma Recovery Group is a live, interactive support group. BTRG offers community, support, and validation to women all over the world. Join today.