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Understanding Relational Trauma

Understanding Relational Trauma

Blog Outline

Every person deserves to live a happy life. However, some of us experience different types of trauma, specifically relational trauma. However, trauma comes in several different forms and not every person experiences the same traumatic memories.

Trauma is always categorized based on its nature and its impact. In this blog post, you will learn several new things about relational trauma, how it is different from other types of traumas, and what effective ways to manage it.

What Is Relational Trauma?

Relational trauma, most commonly known as attachment trauma, can develop in many forms. Relational trauma in marriage refers to deep emotional wounds caused by repeated patterns of betrayal or neglect, impacting trust and intimacy between partners. Moreover, relational trauma manifests in consistent, longer-duration experiences of emotional, mental, or bodily abuse, and disrespect among important relationships.

Learn More: Trauma Brain Vs Normal Brain: How Trauma Affects The Way We Live

Some Common Signs Of Relational Trauma

If you start to feel the following signs then you might have begun to experience relational trauma:

  • Considering yourself responsible for other’s emotional well-being
  • Hypervigilance in monitoring the mood of others
  • Fear of failure
  • Fear of abandonment
  • Self-sufficiency
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Lowered self-esteem
  • Shame
  • Guilt
  • Issues in trusting others

Common Types Of Relational Trauma

Relational trauma is not limited to just one type. Several types of relational traumas are characterized by certain signs. 

Complex Trauma:

Complex trauma comprises multiple traumas for an extended duration. Some of the common examples are continuous abuse. This type of trauma also leaves behind a significant impact on a person’s mental, emotional, and physical potential. Moreover, complex trauma is linked with the onset of depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

Interpersonal Trauma:

This type of trauma usually manifests in people living in an abusive relationship. Now, this relationship can be with a close family member or a partner. Interpersonal trauma is one of the most traumatizing experiences as it sometimes proves to be draining to recover from. This happens due to the presence of a range of emotions and mechanisms like power fluctuations, manipulation, and control.


Attachment Trauma:

This particular type of trauma affects a person with disruptions while getting attached to their close relationships. Some of the typical instances are the absence of a parent, or in cases where the caregiver is abusive. Furthermore, it is an enduring type of trauma that directly affects the well-being of the sufferer.

Betrayal Trauma:

The manifestation of such type of trauma happens when a normal person experiences an extreme betrayal from their close and trusted person. This person can be a friend, a close family member, or even your partner. Betrayal trauma is so severe that it can completely disturb the senses and way of perception of the affected person such as they feel a loss of sense, anger outbursts, and grief.

Learn More: The Hidden Mental Scars of Childhood Trauma in Adults

What Are The Common Causes Of Relational Trauma?

There is no single cause of the onset of relational trauma. However, it is manifested due to several factors and sometimes due to the combination of these factors. Some of the common causes are as follows:

Abandonment:

Abandonment is a factor that no one in life ever wants to experience. However, some unfortunate people face such difficulties in their lives. The sad part is that this comes from the most important relationship that an individual has with parents. There can be several reasons such as the sudden death of a parent, divorce, war, and many other factors that lead to the development of relational trauma.

Additionally, sometimes the abandonment is not physical instead it is mental. Your parent or caregiver is present physically but you feel emotionally abandoned. This happens when a person or child does not have emotional support from the parents.

There can be several factors that lead to this behavior in parents. Some of them are as follows:

  1. Parent’s mental condition
  2. Drug intake
  3. Domestic violence
  4. Strict working hours
  5. Overwhelming behavior due to child’s needs
  6. Caring for another family member more than the child

No matter if the child is understanding, the lack of emotional support stays there and leads to relational trauma.

Enmeshment:

Emotional enmeshment is another leading reason for relational trauma. This often happens due to the expectation of a parent that their child will fill their emotional needs, which ultimately makes the child crave for his needs to be fulfilled.

Enmeshment also develops when a caregiver or a parent is overly involved in the affected child, causing them to feel suffocated. The major factor in such a situation is that the parent or caregiver does not respect the child’s boundaries. Furthermore, such parents do not allow their children to live independently and enjoy their lives to the fullest. This ultimately affects the self-esteem of such children.

Abuse and Neglect:

One of the leading reasons causing relational trauma in children is being abused or neglected by the caregiver or parent. This can lead to demotivation in younger children ultimately making them difficult personalities.

Learn More: Understanding The Different Types Of Trauma

Effective Ways To Manage Relational Trauma In Adults

Relational trauma can be overwhelming to deal with. However, relational trauma recovery is possible with the help of some effective therapeutic approaches. Some of the commonly used treatment methods are as follows:

Psychiatric Medications:

The first-line treatment approach is to stabilize the current mental condition of the patients. There are particular medications for treating relational trauma such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications. Moreover, psychiatric medications are more effective when combined with other forms of mental health treatments such as most commonly used therapy and counseling.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy:

This is a type of psychotherapy that primarily emphasizes changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. CBT can be best for overcoming the rigid signs of anxiety, mood disorders, and depression.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT):

The primary goal of such a therapy is to develop coping techniques for solving interpersonal issues of the affected people. This is the best approach for people dealing with relationship issues or emotional dysregulations.

Psychodynamic Therapy:

The main focus of this type of relational trauma treatment is to help the patient identify their unconscious disturbing thoughts and related feelings. People suffering from unresolved issues or conflicts with their social relationships can get the most out of this particular therapy. 

Group Therapy:

This relational trauma therapy works by making the affected person sit with people experiencing the same signs. Additionally, such people have experienced similar trauma. Group therapy can be beneficial for individuals with social withdrawal.

Eye Movement Desensitization And Reprocessing (EMDR):

Nowadays mental health problems require advanced mental health treatment approaches. Therefore, based on sample positive feedback, experts have developed an innovative form of psychotherapy that involves guided eye movements to assist suffering people in successfully and completely processing the traumatic event and all the negative memories acting as the triggers of the event. PTSD is one of the stressful mental health disorders that is efficiently dealt with with the help of EMDR.

Concluding Remarks!

Trauma can be overwhelming. There are several types of traumas but one of the most severe ones is relational trauma. Relational trauma is also known as attachment trauma. The common signs include fear of failure, fear of abandonment, self-sufficiency, anxiety, depression, lowered self-esteem, shame, guilt, and trust issues. There can be several reasons for the onset of relational trauma such as enmeshment, abuse, and abandonment. However, the good news is that Orange Coast Psychiatry provides you with the best and most effective treatment options such as psychiatric medications, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, group therapy, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. Consult with our mental health experts today and attain mental peace from relation trauma.

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Shaheena Gazipura

PMHNP-BC

Richard Samedra, PMHNP-BC, is a Board Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. He brings over 12 years of experience in the mental health field, working with clients facing a wide range of acute and chronic mental health conditions. His journey began as a Licensed Vocational Nurse and Charge Nurse at Westminster Therapeutic Residential Treatment, where he supported clients dealing with anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders. Richard’s dedication was centered on helping these individuals improve their mental health and transition to a lower level of care, whether that meant returning to their families, a board and care facility, or a sober-living environment.

Motivated by a growing passion for mental health care, Richard pursued his Registered Nurse (RN) education at Saddleback Community College and later transitioned to La Palma Intercommunity Hospital Behavioral Health. In this role, he specialized in geriatric psychiatry, working with older adults experiencing conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, dementia, depression, and anxiety. This experience solidified his commitment to mental health, leading him to work at Bellflower Community Hospital, where he provided care for patients experiencing severe psychiatric crises, including suicidal ideation, manic and depressive episodes, substance use disorders, and exacerbated schizophrenia symptoms.

Inspired by the impactful work of PMHNPs at Bellflower, Richard enrolled in the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program at Azusa Pacific University. To broaden his expertise, he worked full-time at College Hospital Costa Mesa while completing his studies. There, he gained comprehensive experience across various units, including adolescent, acute men’s and women’s, stabilization, and detox/med-surg. Now, as a PMHNP, Richard is committed to leveraging his diverse background and knowledge to provide compassionate, comprehensive care to those in need.

Richard currently practices as a Nurse Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Orange Coast Psychiatry, where he is supervised by Dr. Montgomery.

 

Shaheena Gazipura

PMHNP-BC

Shaheena Gazipura is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with over 9 years of dedicated experience in both inpatient and outpatient mental health care. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California.

Shaheena began her career working on an adult psychiatric inpatient unit before transitioning to the geriatric psychiatric inpatient unit at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital. In addition to her clinical work, Shaheena also serves as a Nursing Clinical Instructor, guiding the next generation of nurses through their mental health rotations at a large community college.

Shaheena is a passionate advocate for mental health, believing that it is a fundamental pillar of overall well-being. She is committed to reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness and strives to provide comprehensive, compassionate care that honors each individual’s unique experiences and challenges. Her goal is to create a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where patients feel empowered to work alongside her in achieving their mental health goals.

Outside of her professional life, Shaheena enjoys exploring new culinary experiences, staying active through exercise, and planning her next travel adventures.

Shaheena currently practices as a Nurse Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Orange Coast Psychiatry, where she is supervised by Dr. Barrios.

Clint Nacar

PMHNP-BC

Clint Nacar, PMHNP-BC is a Board Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Mr. Nacar graduated from Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science. Currently Mr. Nacar works in an inpatient psychiatry unit at a leading academic medical center in Los Angeles, Renewed Mental Health Group, and Orange Coast Psychiatry

Mr. Nacar brings over 7+ years of experience with the mental health population. He works to help patients take control of their mental health through patient education, psychotherapy and medication management. Mr. Nacar’s areas of focus include: Depression, Anxiety, Adjustment Disorder, Bipolar disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Mr. Nacar treats children ages 6+, adolescents, and adults, offering both in-person services and telehealth at Renewed Mental Health Group.

With the collaboration of each patient, Mr. Nacar strives to develop individualized plans of care addressing each patient’s unique situation and concerns. He also encourages each patient to take charge of their mental health through a holistic approach while also employing the latest evidence based practices in treatment.

Clint is one of our most experienced Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners at Orange Coast Psychiatry and is 103NP Licensed in the State of California.

Cristian Cuevas

PMHNP-BC (Fluent in Spanish)

Cristian Cuevas, PMHNP-BC, is a highly skilled board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with over seven years of experience in inpatient psychiatry and mental health.

A California State University Long Beach graduate, Cristian also earned recognition as a board-certified psychiatric mental health registered nurse. With a wealth of expertise in adult psychiatric care across the lifespan, Cristian has successfully diagnosed and treated a diverse range of mental health disorders.

Additionally, his specialized experience in child and adolescent inpatient populations further enhances his ability to provide comprehensive and compassionate mental health care.

Cristian Cuevas is the Lead Nurse Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Orange Coast Psychiatry and is supervised by Dr Barrios.

Griselda Hernandez

PMHNP-BC (Fluent in Spanish)

As a licensed Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) with a robust background in psychiatric and substance abuse nursing, Griselda provides compassionate, evidence-based care to individuals facing mental health and addiction challenges. The core of her practice focuses on promoting holistic wellness, fostering resilience, and empowering patients in their recovery journey. Specializing in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of adolescents with various mental health disorders, Griselda strives to create a therapeutic environment where patients feel valued, respected, and supported.
“My approach is grounded in years of diverse experience, including work in psychiatric units and medical detox units for both adults and adolescents. This extensive background has equipped me with the skills and knowledge to manage complex psychiatric and substance abuse conditions effectively. I am committed to staying updated with the latest advancements in psychiatric care, integrating cutting-edge therapies and best practices into my treatment plans. Collaboration is key to my practice; I work closely with multidisciplinary teams, families, and community resources to provide coordinated and comprehensive care tailored to each individual’s unique needs.”
Griselda holds a Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in Psychiatric-Mental Health from West Coast University, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. Additionally, she is fluent in the English and Spanish language, enhancing her ability to connect with a diverse patient population.
Griselda currently practices as a Nurse Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Orange Coast Psychiatry, where she is supervised by Dr. Barrios.

Dr Barrios

Board-Certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

Dr. Carlos Barrios is a Board-Certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with over two decades of experience in mental health care. His expertise in telepsychiatry has allowed him to serve patients across California and beyond. In his practice, Dr Barrios integrates metabolic and functional methodologies, focusing on guiding patients toward medication independence and emphasizing the connection between physical and mental health.
Outside of his professional life, Dr Barrios is passionate about kettlebell training, which helps him maintain my physical and mental wellness. He cherishes visiting his family in Guatemala, to reconnecting with his cultural roots and rejuvenating his spirit. Dr Barrios is also deeply involved in transcendental meditation and rucking, practices that not only provide him with tranquility but also keep him grounded and connected to nature. These hobbies reflect his commitment to a holistic approach to health, both personally and professionally.