Rakicevic Nenad / Unsplash Breaking up is hard. Breaking up with someone who has abused you is even harder. You will feel confused and traumatised for some time. It's not all terrible though — distance will make you realise you're stronger. Trauma doesn't stay with you forever, and there are actually several positives from what you went through — even if you're still hurting. A common misconception about moving on from an abusive relationship is that the trauma stays with you for life.