Your Not Crazy: How Sexual Betrayal Triggers PTSD Symptoms (Season 1: Episode #2)

Understanding PTSD Symptoms After Sexual Betrayal In this episode of Rise: Hope and Healing After Sexual Betrayal, Dr. Kevin Skinner and Marianne Michaels dive deep into why sexual betrayal is best understood through the lens of trauma and PTSD. They discuss the history of partner responses—moving away from the outdated “co-addict” model—and explain how research since the mid-2000s has validated that betrayed partners often experience symptoms identical to PTSD. Together, they explore the five PTSD criteria as they relate to betrayal: Criteria B: Reliving it through triggers, flashbacks, and nightmares. Criteria C: Avoidance of people, places, or even one’s own emotions. Criteria D: Negative mood and cognitions, including shame, self-blame, and feeling “not enough.” Criteria E: Hyperarousal and hypervigilance, including sleep issues and self-harm risk. Criteria A: Threats to life, including risks of STDs, sexual violence, or unsafe relationship dynamics. This episode emphasizes that betrayed partners are not crazy—their reactions are normal trauma responses. By identifying symptoms through proper assessments, betrayed partners can validate their experiences and take steps toward healing. 📚 Resources Mentioned Assessment: Trauma Inventory for Betrayed Partners (free access) Skinner, K. (2018). Treating Trauma from Sexual Betrayal. Stephens, B., & Rennie, R. (2006). Early research linking betrayal trauma with PTSD symptoms. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). DSM-5: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (for PTSD criteria). Additional Recommended Reading & Support Becker, M. (2019). Compassion for Couples: Building the Skills of Loving Connection. Mays, M. (2023). The Betrayal Bind: How to Heal When the Person You Love the Most Hurts You the Worst. Keffer, S. (2018). Intimate Deception: Healing the Wounds of Sexual Betrayal. HumanIntimacy.com — courses, resources, and upcoming retreats.