After trauma, the danger may be over, but the body and brain may continue to react as if it were still present. These reactions can be hard to understand. A person may think, “I should be over this by now.” Trauma responses are not a lack of willpower. They are often survival strategies that developed when safety was threatened.

Betrayal can deeply shake a person’s sense of safety. Whether it occurs in an intimate, family, or professional relationship, it often leaves lasting effects. Rebuilding trust after betrayal takes time, patience, and a great deal of self-compassion.