Trauma bonding is a psychological phenomenon that keeps individuals locked into toxic relationships. It occurs when there is an unhealthy attachment between the victim and the abuser, formed through cycles of abuse, followed by brief periods of kindness or affection. This creates a powerful emotional entanglement that’s hard to escape, even when logic tells you otherwise. The fundamental mechanism of trauma bonding lies in the manipulation of reward and punishment. In a trauma bond, the abuser inflicts harm and then offers sporadic gestures of love or care, confusing the victim. This inconsistency triggers the brain’s reward system, which can become addicted to those fleeting moments of relief, trapping the victim in a cycle. To break free, one must first recognize the nature of the bond. It’s not about love, though it may feel that way. Instead, it’s about dependency on unpredictable emotional highs, intertwined with fear and pain. The clarity to see the situation for what it is often