Trauma Bonding Part 2 & Over-functioning

In this continuation of our discussion on trauma bonding from last week, we’re bringing a second topic into the mix: over-functioning. Over-functioning in relationships is a pattern where one person tends to take on all the thoughts, feelings, and responsibilities for both people in the relationship. It’s a way of establishing a sense of control – a common result in cases of trauma bonding where the balance of control is disproportionate. A lot of times we miss the signs of over-functioning, particularly within relationships in recovery, because we don’t really see that it’s not healthy. It can be tricky to identify if you’re a natural caregiver. We think that’s how we should be functioning, or we may use it as a way to manage (ie: avoid) our own feelings. So how do you move forward once you recognize patterns of over-functioning in yourself? You’ll Learn: More tangible examples of how trauma bonding could look in your relationship How trauma bonding can lead to over-functioning in relationships, and what over-functioning actually is Ways to identify and understand trauma response patterns and how they affect relationships in recovery How to understand your past choices and consider ways to choose differently as you heal