 Have you ever heard the term betrayal bonding? Exploitative relationships can create trauma bonds that tie us to the people who hurt us, but arguably the scariest thing about it is that experts say you can easily mistake it for love in her research with children who had been abused by their parents. Dr. Freight observed that instead of processing the betrayal in the usual and expected manner, the children became even more bonded with their parents. She theorized that this was because the betrayal was in conflict with their need for survival and desire for parental love and care. So if you feel a strong attachment to a person who has ever abused you, then there's a good chance that a betrayal bond has been formed. Another warning sign of a toxic and exploitative relationship is codependency. They send you mixed signals so that the more they degrade you, the more you will want to please them and crave their validation. It's important to understand that if you continue to stay with someone who betrayed you, it's not your fault. Regardless, don't hesitate to seek help if you suspect that you are in an exploitative or harmful relationship. And remember, psych to goers, you matter.