Breaking trust can lead to feelings of betrayal, hurt, and disappointment, often resulting in a breakdown of communication and connection. Emotional Consequences: The person whose trust is broken may experience a range of emotions, including anger, sadness, and anxiety.
The effects of betrayal include shock, loss and grief, morbid pre-occupation, damaged self-esteem, self-doubting, anger. Not infrequently they produce life-altering changes. The effects of a catastrophic betrayal are most relevant for anxiety disorders, and OC D and PTSD in particular.
If not addressed, the long-term consequences of broken trust can be severe. The relationship might suffer from persistent insecurity and doubt, making it difficult for either party to fully commit or feel safe.
Trust issues are characterized by fear of betrayal, abandonment, or manipulation. And this fear is often triggered as a result of betrayal (such as infidelity), abandonment (think: leaving a child or foregoing a relationship with them), or manipulation (for example, dishonesty or gaslighting).
Betrayal: Betrayal causes trust issues because it breaks the expectation of loyalty and honesty, which are fundamental to trusting relationships. When someone is betrayed, they may find it hard to trust others again, fearing that the same deceit could occur.
When trust is established, a cascade of neurochemical events takes place within our brains. The release of oxytocin, often referred to as the “trust hormone,” plays a pivotal role in fostering feelings of empathy, connection, and bonding.
Betrayal Violates Our Safety
When someone we trust betrays us, it feels like the very foundation of our world has crumbled. You trusted this person completely, and they went and broke that trust in a way that feels personal and deliberate. It makes you question your own judgment and wonder who you can trust ever again.
If I had to choose the form of betrayal that emerged most frequently from my research and that was the most dangerous in terms of corroding the trust connection, I would say disengagement.
Some people “freeze” and others “fight or flight.” Hyperarousal in betrayal trauma resembles a heightened fight or flight response. This often involves anger, fear, or panic. In contrast, a person may experience disconnection with their body, memory lapses, dissociation, and emotional numbness.
It means that if someone misbehaves, they will ultimately—in this life or the next—be punished for their betrayal. There is no time limit on karma, and while it doesn't usually carry the zing of instant gratification, it can be even more soul satisfying.
Here's the hard part: trust is rebuilt in small steps. Gradually, a little at a time. You'll need to decide together if you have space for this process in your life, as patience from both parties is the key. There is no place for anger or resentment: remember that you have chosen to be here.
The most common penalty for a breach of fiduciary duty involves suspending or completely removing the trustee or executor, having them pay attorney fees and court costs, and having them return any stolen property. However, there can be more extensive and severe consequences.
When trust is broken, it often becomes harder to put our faith in people in the future. However, trust issues could hurt us in the long run because they prevent us from connecting with others or receiving support when we need it. Not being able to trust can also negatively impact how other people respond to us.
The results of Sweeney's research were enlightening. He found three factors central to soldiers trusting their leaders. Sweeney calls these factors the “3 C's” of trust: Competence, character, and caring.
Each relationship has a unique timeline for rebuilding trust. It depends on your ability to communicate, heal from disappointment, and the commitment to grow that each of you brings to the table. Sometimes, rebuilding trust takes weeks. Other times, it takes years.
Betrayal trauma changes critical regions of the brain (the hippocampus and limbic system), which control your memory data bank and emotional response center. These systems typically work together to identify what is safe and accurate. After betrayal, the limbic system will activate your body's survival mode.
Betrayal Trauma is unique in that it involves the intense feelings of shame associated with the act of being abused or violated. Therefore if you have experienced betrayal trauma you may suffer from: Shame, guilt and self-blame. Depression.
Trust issues can cause you to feel suspicious, to doubt others, and even to isolate yourself. You might have volatile, unstable relationships, pick fights, or accuse others of dishonesty or betrayal. You also might spend a lot of time worrying, wondering, or even obsessing about what others are up to.
Experimenters also found that changes in oxytocin related to levels of empathy and that the changes in oxytocin predicted people's feelings of empathy. Zak believes it is empathy which makes us connect to others; connection to others triggers moral behaviour an element of which is to be trusted.
The Neuroscience of Trust: Oxytocin
The brain chemical oxytocin is our brain's way of signaling trust.