by: Laura West

“Why Can’t I Let Go—even Though I Know They Hurt Me?” You know the relationship is toxic. They gaslight you, ignore your needs, or keep you walking on eggshells. You’ve tried to leave before—maybe multiple times. But something keeps pulling you back. The highs are so high. The lows are unbearable. And the guilt? It’s relentless. If this sounds familiar, you might be stuck in a trauma bond—and no, it’s not about being weak or codependent. Trauma bonding is a powerful psychological attachment that forms with someone who repeatedly harms you. It’s not love. It’s survival. In this post, we’ll break down what trauma bonding really is, how it forms, why it’s so hard to leave, and—most importantly—what it truly takes to break free.