Do you ever have days where things just seem hard? Maybe you’re struggling with fatigue. Maybe you feel anxious or depressed. In some cases, you might even struggle physically, feeling aches and pains all over your body.
Those things can happen to everyone from time to time. But, if they happen frequently, it might be a sign of something bigger going on.
No one wants to relive any traumatic experiences they may have gone through as a child. But, sometimes, it’s the only way to work through those issues and take control of your life. You may have even repressed certain memories, and now you have to come to terms with realizing you experienced trauma, in the first place.
So, how can you make that easier on yourself? What signs should you look out for? Most importantly, what can you do once you come to that realization?
What Are the Signs of Unresolved Trauma?
If you’ve never faced the trauma you went through as a child before, it’s considered “unresolved”. Everyone can experience those effects differently, but there are a few common symptoms to look out for.
The more you understand about some of those signs, the easier it will be to recognize that you should reach out for help. Some of the most common things to look out for include:
- Anxiety in everyday situations
- Feeling ashamed for no reason
- Avoiding people, places, or things that might “trigger” you
- Sleep issues
- Uncontrollable anger
- Self-harm
- Feeling detached
As you can see, these are pretty serious symptoms. If they go on for too long, they could contribute to other mental health conditions, or may even cause lasting emotional or physical harm. So acknowledging any of these signs as soon as you experience them is important.
What Are the Effects of Unresolved Trauma?
If you choose to ignore the signs of childhood trauma as an adult, the signs and symptoms can still continue. Blocking out what has happened doesn’t mean you won’t continue to feel effects from it years later.
Unfortunately, doing so can completely change your life negatively. It can affect your perspective and outlook on things. It also can take a huge toll on your relationships, friendships, and even your family life. Most importantly, it can lead you down a path of feeling completely helpless, hopeless, and devastated.
How to Come to Terms With Your Trauma
Again, no one wants to relive the past if they’ve been traumatized. But, if you’ve been blocking something out for years and you’re experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to know why. Talking to a therapist is one of the best things you can do.
When you work with a mental health professional, you can take comfort in knowing you’re in a safe space with no judgment and no way to get hurt. There are different approaches you can take, and every professional might have a different technique. But, the goal remains the same—peeling back the layers until you’re able to get to the root of the trauma.
Those memories need to return in order for you to work through them. It isn’t easy. In fact, it can be painful and scary, at times. But, by getting to the underlying cause, you can deal with your fears, feelings, and emotions from the ground up.
If you’re experiencing any of the signs listed above or you just feel like something is “off,” feel free to contact me to schedule a 20 minute consultation call. With treatment for trauma, you can work to get to the root of your childhood trauma and help you take control of your future, rather than living in fear.
