Yes, I’ve definitely felt that way. Being physically with someone doesn’t always mean you feel emotionally connected. I remember sitting next to my partner, but it felt like we were miles apart. We were going through the motions, but there was no real communication or understanding between us. It was like I was invisible in my own relationship, and that feeling of isolation was one of the hardest things to deal with. It made me realize that emotional presence is just as important as physical presence in any relationship.

I did feel an intense attachment to someone who was toxic for me, and it took me a long time to understand why. The highs and lows of the relationship created this addictive cycle that I mistook for passion. I recognized it as a trauma bond when I saw that I was staying out of fear of losing them, not because the relationship was healthy or fulfilling. To break free, I leaned on a close support system and focused on self-love practices. Journaling became my safe space to process my emotions and remind myself why I deserved better.

For years, I was stuck in a relationship that felt like I couldn’t escape. Despite the emotional harm they caused, I felt this pull to stay and ‘fix’ things. I realized it was a trauma bond when I started seeing patterns in how I was justifying their behavior, even when it was clearly damaging. The breaking point came when I started therapy, and my therapist helped me unpack the reasons behind my attachment. I began focusing on self-awareness, setting clear boundaries, and, most importantly, prioritizing my own well-being.

I’ve definitely felt that intense attachment before. It was as if the relationship had become my entire identity, even though it was tearing me apart. I recognized it as a trauma bond when I realized how much I relied on the occasional ‘good moments’ to justify all the bad. Breaking free meant cutting off all contact and focusing on rebuilding myself from the inside out. I joined a support group, which showed me I wasn’t alone, and worked on rediscovering who I was outside of the relationship. It’s been a journey, but I finally feel free.