Sherman Oaks, CA – In their recent blog, Seeking Integrity covered an under-explored subject: betrayal trauma triggers. Betrayal trauma, brought about most commonly by infidelity, functions much like any other trauma, but many people don’t even know it exists. Seeking Integrity uses this phrase throughout their blog to validate the feelings of partners who have been hurt by infidelity, and explores what causes the most emotional reactions.
“Betrayed partners are not crazy. When feelings of betrayal are triggered, either immediately after discovery or down the line, the pain comes crashing back. It feels as if the betrayal is happening all over again, creating a sense of crisis for them. And people in crisis don’t always behave rationally,” the blog explains, providing insight into the extreme emotions typically involved in these situations.
“Every betrayed spouse will react differently to being triggered, but typically there is some type of fight, flight, or freeze response,” the article says. It then goes into other behaviors a betrayed partner might exhibit, including anger, pretending everything is okay, shutting down, or a combination of the three. The blog shares that this often continues for about a year, as long as the person who participated in the infidelity works to make amends. In the meantime, according to the blog, the betrayed partner might persistently investigate the whereabouts of the person responsible for the betrayal, swing between extreme emotions, and experience deep shame. They may also lose trust in everyone, micromanage, ask questions obsessively, or avoid thinking about the betrayal altogether.
Then, Seeking Integrity details what might trigger this behavior. They say it ultimately boils down to anything that reminds the betrayed partner about their lack of trust in the person responsible for the betrayal. This can include both good and bad memories with the partner, poor behavior by the partner, other couples appearing happy, or the partner making obvious attempts to correct their behavior. The betrayed person also might have dreams related to the trauma or be triggered by media, certain physical sensations, and feelings related to the betrayal. Even certain dates and places can trigger betrayal trauma, according to the blog.
The article offers advice on how to manage triggers next. “The primary in-the-moment tools to use include things like breathwork, meditation, journaling, gratitude lists, engaging in reality checks with a supportive friend, and various grounding techniques. Reaching out to supportive friends, especially those who’ve experienced betrayal in their own lives, is always a great idea.”
The blog concludes with a reminder that therapy can be beneficial for betrayal trauma. Seeking Integrity also lets the reader know that they have tools to help.
Seeking Integrity is a treatment center that focuses entirely on sex addiction and related concerns. Every staff member is an expert in their field of work. When clients first connect with Seeking Integrity, they undergo a lengthy assessment to confirm they’ll be a good fit. Each client receives their own personal therapist to advocate for them and help them, in addition to a partner’s therapist when needed. They welcome people of all religions, sexualities, and beliefs. If a client finds that Seeking Integrity isn’t working for them, the center will give them their money back and assist them in finding a program that will work better for them. For more information, contact Seeking Integrity by phone at 1-747-234-4325, or visit their website.
“Integrity. Expertise. Recovery.”
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For more information about Seeking Integrity, contact the company here:
Seeking Integrity
Erin Snow
1-747-234-4325
erin@seekingintegrity.com
14925 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 300
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403