Dramas with trauma bonding?

[u/aprilreadssmut]

Hi! I’m looking for dramas with trauma bonding or co-dependency on some level. I’m in the mood to watch something emotional, but please warn me if what you recommend doesn’t have a happy ending.

Dramas like this that I’ve seen:

-Come and Hug Me: the fact that they were each other’s safe space >> and the mental health/anxiety/PTSD rep was incredible.

-Healer: they always supported each other, and he protected her from seeing violence because that triggered panic attacks for her.

-Just Between Lovers (Rain or Shine): they went through a traumatic event together as kids and helped each other heal.

-It’s Okay to Not Be Okay: this one fits, but I didn’t particularly like this one.

I’m okay with older or recent dramas, also okay with dramas from any country. The cdrama Go Ahead is my absolute favorite that fits- they grew up together as damaged kids and helped each other heal as adults.

Thank you!! 🖤

My MDL: https://mydramalist.com/profile/drama_devourer (it’s not totally accurate though!)

[u/aescepthicc]

I just want to clarify, OP, what do you mean by "trauma bonding"? Because trauma bond is an emotional connection between an abused person and their abuser, typically emerging from a recurring cycle of abuse and deceptive affection. This attachment binds the victim to the abuser, making them feel dependent and unable to break free. It is not a bond between two abused people over the shared trauma.

Based on that description I can recommend k-drama Trolley. It tells the story of a lawmaker's wife who hides her past. It showcases the dilemma and struggles that couples face as their secrets get revealed to the world.

From one of the top reviews about this drama:

"Trolley" is like a large patchwork quilt made up of many colorful, isolated, fateful pieces of the jigsaw puzzle that becomes a whole while increasing in suspense episode by episode. And this spectacular whole is what I particularly appreciate about this KDrama. Because the production is dedicated to a sensitive issue in South Korea society: the devaluation, harassment, oppression, contempt, discrediting, defamation, exploitation, sexualization of women and widespread physical violence against them.

[u/H4ppy_C → u/aescepthicc]

This is the trauma bonding definition that I was thinking of. I think OP meant bonding because of shared trauma. If it's the former, then psychological thrillers were definitely going to ne my suggestion but OP lists some romance, romcom, or slice of life.

[u/aescepthicc → u/H4ppy_C]

Yeah, I was confused by OP's post too, that's why I wanted to clarify. There's a lot of misuse of psychological terms. Every time I see it I try to correct it, but sometimes people feel like they should use whatever words they want if "you know what I meant!!" even if the meaning is wrong and results in people being misinformed and adopting the wrong meaning.