Betrayal often evokes images of the victim, shattered by broken trust and emotional wounds. But less attention is given to the psychological toll that betrayal takes on the betrayer. While it might seem counterintuitive, those who commit betrayal are often left grappling with significant emotional and psychological trauma of their own. At the core of this trauma is the internal conflict between one's actions and their moral compass. Most people, even those who betray, possess an innate sense of right and wrong. When they act in a way that violates their own values, it creates a psychological dissonance—a tension between who they believe they are and what they have done. This dissonance is known as cognitive dissonance, a mental state where one’s beliefs and actions are at odds with each other. The betrayer, knowing they’ve caused harm, may experience intense guilt and shame. These feelings, when left unaddressed, can spiral into deeper psychological issues such as depression or anx