When a child experiences trauma, such as abuse, neglect, or witnessing violence, it can disrupt the normal development of their brain. The brain is designed to adapt and survive, so it develops in response to the environment. In a nurturing environment, the brain strengthens pathways related to love, trust, and safety. However, in a traumatic environment, the brain prioritizes survival, often at the expense of other functions.

Healthy love requires mutual care, respect, trust, and support. It should make you feel seen, safe, and valued. Trauma bonds are not love, though they are driven by attachment needs. If "loving" your partner means tolerating mistreatment, that is not real love - it is trauma.

In the journey of life, our relationships are like ships navigating the vast oceans of emotional intimacy and connection. However, for many, these waters are rough, stirred by the undercurrents of attachment trauma. In adulthood, this trauma often manifests as fears of intimacy, dependency issues, or a rollercoaster of relationship highs and lows. This is where Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, especially Attachment-Focused EMDR, can be a lighthouse, guiding individuals to safer, more fulfilling relational shores.