When people go through deeply distressing events as children or young adults, the impact of that trauma, if not dealt with, doesn’t just go away. As humans, our brains are designed to protect us from things that are harmful. That means that without proper healing, the brain can bury memories of traumatic events. Unfortunately, while those memories may no longer live at forefront of our minds, they can still powerfully impact our thought patterns, behavior, and relationships.
Repressed trauma lingers, especially when it stems from childhood, the adolescent years, or sexual trauma. Awareness of the signs of repressed trauma is the first step toward transformation and healing. At True Life Center, we guide patients through trauma recovery so that they can live freely, without the past holding them back from the future they deserve. Through comprehensive mental health treatment, we also help clients work through trauma bonding recovery in San Diego.
What Are the Signs of Repressed Trauma in Adults?
The residue of past trauma can show up years after the distressing event occurred. That’s why childhood experiences are so impactful. Those memories, whether immediately recalled or not, shape how people live. The signs of repressed trauma in adults include:
Unexplained and Overwhelming Emotional Reactions
This can look like feeling suddenly overwhelmed by unpleasant emotions like anger, sadness, or fear without understanding why. These responses may be linked to long-buried memories that need to be processed.
Difficulty Forming Healthy Relationships
Trauma can often decrease your willingness to trust and your ability to allow intimate relationships to grow. This protective wall between you and others makes it challenging to build connections. Ultimately, this can result in avoiding relationships altogether or becoming involved in unhealthy dependency on others.
Nightmares or Sleep Disturbances
Recurring nightmares or not wanting to go to sleep can be signs of unresolved trauma that surfaces while the brain is at rest.
Physical Symptoms Without Medical Cause
An underestimated sign of repressed trauma is the way it can manifest physically. When people experience pain or discomfort without a physical explanation, it’s wise to assess your mental health. Unexplained headaches, muscle pain, or gastrointestinal issues can be an indicator of the mind-body connection to trauma.
Avoidance
When individuals actively avoid specific people, places, or activities—especially if they are somehow linked to traumatic event, it may point to unacknowledged memories of hurt or fear.
Memory Gaps or Dissociation
Some people with repressed trauma may not be able to recall certain time periods of their life without support. They may also feel a sense of disconnection from their feelings.
Hypervigilance or Easily Startled
Living in a state of constant alert is often a sign of trauma. People can have what seems like overreactions to minor events that have triggered an older, more intense memory.
Self-Destructive Behaviors
People with trauma, even if it’s been repressed, can turn to self-medication. This may look like substance abuse, risky behavior, or other harmful coping mechanisms like overeating, to mitigate pain.
The ramifications of unaddressed trauma can be far-reaching, interrupting people’s ability to thrive. This isn’t just true in adults, but also adolescents. Getting the support of a trained therapist as early as possible can mean the difference between surviving life and thriving in it.
Signs of Repressed Trauma in Teens
Trauma experienced during childhood or adolescence may continue to present complex emotions and behavioral problems throughout the teenage years. This can be particularly painful for young people who often don’t have control over whether they’re able to seek mental health support, or who don’t have an adult in their lives who can advocate for them. When left unchecked, these issues will only grow, impacting them into their adult years.
Behavioral Outbursts
Sudden outbursts of anger, aggression, or rebelliousness can often signify inner emotional turmoil linked to distressful childhood memories.
Withdrawing from Friendships or Activities
A significant sign can be isolation. When young people withdraw from social opportunities or people they previously loved spending time with, it can signify trauma or past trauma.
Struggling Academically or Socially
Teens dealing with trauma often find school challenging. Their grades might slip, and they may experience difficulty socializing.
Mood Swings or Emotional Instability
Repressed memories can lead to unpredictable highs and lows, including extreme sadness or irritability.
Frequent Health Complaints
Some teens may experience physical manifestations including stomachaches or increased tiredness. When there seem to be no physical reasons for illnesses, it could be indicative of repressed trauma.
Self-Harm or Risky Behaviors
Teens can be likely to engage in self-injurious behaviors like cutting, burning, or scratching. Behaviors like these or reckless activity, like experimenting with substances can point to underlying trauma.
Attachment Issues
Trauma can lead to difficulty developing appropriate attachments. It may mean teens become too clingy in certain relationships or avoid relationships altogether.
Hyper-Vigilance
When teens seem to expect danger or worry about their safety in a certain environment, it may be a sign that their nervous system is in “fight-or-flight” mode, indicating past trauma.
These signs of trauma don’t have to be the end of the story. Getting the right support makes a significant difference in how people are able to cope with their past and move forward
Repressed Trauma Treatment Options
When it comes to therapeutic options for trauma, the team at True Life offers unparalleled compassionate care and years of experience to help you face the past and learn new skills for managing it. Programs at True Life include therapies such as:
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
- Somatic experiencing
Our goal is to help you understand the mind-body connection and learn new ways to regulate your emotions. Doing this will help you feel the freedom you deserve as you move forward in life.
Find Trauma Treatment Today at True Life Center
True Life Center helps individuals uncover their authentic selves and build resilience, making lasting emotional growth possible. The impact of repressed trauma doesn’t have to linger forever. Call 858.202.1822 today to learn about our treatment or submit our online form, and we’ll be in touch.
