Esmé Bianco Instagram – By the time I entered into an intimate relationship with Marilyn Manson, I had already been human trafficked and physically & emotionally abused by him. Years later, when I was diagnosed with PTSD and I started to identity and process what had happened, I was filled with shame and guilt. I had the same questions so many people who hear stories like mine have: why enter/stay in a relationship with someone who hurts you? Some of the answer lies in the understanding of how “trauma bonds” between abusers and their victims are formed. Coupled with the fact that many survivors are not able to recognise behaviour as abusive while it is happening to them, and sometimes cannot name it until years later (another trauma defense mechanism/PTSD symptom); it starts to become clearer why survivors like myself might gravitate towards the person hurting them the most. I offer this information for those who wish to learn, those who are supporting a survivor in their life, and most importantly, survivors like myself who are struggling to process their experience. You are not alone. It is not your fault 💜 Reposted from @selfworkco Thank you 🙏🏻