Understanding the Symptoms of Betrayal Trauma

Betrayal trauma is a psychological response that arises when someone we depend on for safety, attachment, or survival—such as a partner, parent, or close friend—violates our trust in a significant way. Originally introduced by Jennifer Freyd in 1996, betrayal trauma theory suggests that when betrayal occurs within an attachment relationship, the victim may suppress awareness of the betrayal as a survival strategy (Freyd, 1996). While betrayal trauma shares some features with PTSD, it has unique characteristics that reflect the interpersonal and relational nature of the injury.

This article explores the core symptoms of betrayal trauma, highlighting what makes this form of trauma distinct and how it impacts emotional, cognitive, physical, and relational functioning.

1. Emotional Dysregulation

A hallmark symptom of betrayal trauma is intense and chronic emotional dysregulation. Individuals often report alternating states of numbness, anxiety, rage, and deep sadness. The emotional lability is often triggered by reminders of the betrayal, but may also seem to arise “out of nowhere.”

In a study examining intimate partner betrayal, researchers found that victims experienced higher levels of depression, dissociation, and emotional dysregulation compared to those with non-interpersonal traumas (DePrince, 2005).

Chronic emotional dysregulation may also lead to self-harming behaviors, substance use, or other attempts to manage overwhelming inner states.

2. Hypervigilance and Fear Responses

Betrayal trauma survivors often live in a heightened state of alertness. The nervous system becomes sensitized to threat, particularly in interpersonal contexts. This can manifest as:

• Startle responses

• Intrusive thoughts

• Rumination over the betrayal

• Generalized mistrust

Research has shown that betrayal trauma is significantly associated with heightened startle responses and attentional bias toward threat-related stimuli (Freyd et al., 2005).

This chronic vigilance can make daily life exhausting and impair the ability to relax or feel safe, even in objectively secure environments.

3. Cognitive Disruption and Dissociation

Cognitive symptoms may include confusion, forgetfulness, trouble concentrating, or dissociative episodes. Survivors may “check out” or feel as if they’re watching their life from a distance. These symptoms serve as protective mechanisms against overwhelming emotional pain and inner conflict.

A study by DePrince and Freyd (1999) found a strong correlation between betrayal trauma and dissociative tendencies, especially when the betrayal occurred in a close relationship (e.g., parent-child or romantic partner).

Dissociation can be particularly prevalent when the survivor still relies on or feels emotionally attached to the person who betrayed them.

4. Identity Confusion and Shame

Survivors often struggle with profound shame and a shattered sense of self. They may blame themselves, question their reality, or feel as if their core identity has been compromised.

Goldsmith, Freyd, and DePrince (2012) found that betrayal trauma predicted not only shame-proneness but also disruptions in self-concept and increased internalized blame.

This shame can interfere with the healing process, as it prevents the survivor from reaching out for support or asserting their needs and boundaries.

5. Attachment Insecurity and Interpersonal Difficulty

Because betrayal trauma is relational at its core, it often creates long-lasting effects on how a person relates to others. Common relational symptoms include:

• Fear of intimacy

• Difficulty trusting others

• Anxious or avoidant attachment behaviors

• Emotional withdrawal

According to Edwards et al. (2012), women who experienced betrayal trauma from romantic partners exhibited more insecure attachment patterns and greater difficulty establishing trust in new relationships.

This interpersonal fallout often leads to isolation, loneliness, or repeated relational conflict.

6. Somatic and Physical Symptoms

The body often holds the story of betrayal in ways that the mind cannot fully process. Survivors may experience:

• Chronic fatigue

• Gastrointestinal issues

• Headaches or body aches

• Sleep disturbances

These symptoms are common in survivors of betrayal trauma and can be understood through the lens of chronic stress and trauma-induced dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system.

Banyard, Williams, and Siegel (2001) found that betrayal trauma was associated with higher rates of somatic complaints in both adolescent and adult populations, independent of other trauma types.

Conclusion

Betrayal trauma is a distinct and complex form of psychological injury. Its symptoms reach beyond classic trauma responses and include deep disruptions in attachment, identity, cognition, and bodily experience. Survivors often find themselves caught in a confusing loop of pain, self-doubt, and mistrust—especially when the perpetrator is someone they still love or rely on.

Understanding the symptoms of betrayal trauma is the first step toward healing. With compassionate care, trauma-informed therapy, and relational repair, individuals can begin to reclaim their sense of safety, self, and connection.

References

• Banyard, V. L., Williams, L. M., & Siegel, J. A. (2001). The long-term mental health consequences of child sexual abuse: An exploratory study of the impact of multiple traumas in a sample of women. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 14(4), 697–715.

• DePrince, A. P. (2005). Social cognition and revictimization risk. Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 6(1), 125–141.

• DePrince, A. P., & Freyd, J. J. (1999). Dissociation, attention, and memory. Psychological Science, 10(5), 449–452.

• Edwards, K. M., Freyd, J. J., Dardis, C. M., & Gidycz, C. A. (2012). Predictors of posttraumatic stress and retraumatization risk in victims of intimate partner violence. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 27(3), 465–482.

• Freyd, J. J. (1996). Betrayal trauma: The logic of forgetting childhood abuse. Harvard University Press.

• Freyd, J. J., Klest, B., & Allard, C. B. (2005). Betrayal trauma: Relationship to physical health, psychological symptoms, and memory. Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 6(3), 83–104.

• Goldsmith, R. E., Freyd, J. J., & DePrince, A. P. (2012). Betrayal trauma: Associations with psychological and physical symptoms in young adults. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 27(3), 547–567.