9 Signs You Have Unhealed Trauma

We're back to help you understand everyday psychology better. Trauma is often the result of an overwhelming amount of stress from a situation that exceeds one's ability to cope. It can stem from events like the death of a loved one, the end of a meaningful relationship, or the rejection of a loved one.

Do you pretend that everything's good when it really isn't? When you lack a positive and healthy way of dealing with your trauma, you end up repressing your negative emotions. Recognizing unresolved trauma can be challenging, especially within ourselves. So, here are nine signs:

1. You Resist Positive Change

When something good comes into your life, is your first instinct to be suspicious of it? Do you feel shame or guilt when you allow yourself to grow attached to someone or celebrate your own success? If so, you might be carrying unresolved trauma within you. You struggle to accept positive change because deep down, you feel undeserving of happiness.

2. You Need to Plan for Everything

Do you have an intense need to stay in control? When things don't go as expected, do you feel frustrated and lost? Your need for control likely stems from a traumatic experience that left you feeling helpless and vulnerable. As a result, you micromanage everything and worry about things beyond your control. This reveals a deep-seated distrust in both yourself and the world.

3: Fear of Failure

Being afraid of failure is a normal part of human nature. However, when this fear becomes overwhelming and starts to outweigh your motivation to succeed, it can be unhealthy.

Not only do you miss out on opportunities and stifle your creativity and ambition, but it can also lead to perfectionism and insecurity. Unresolved trauma may contribute to this negative self-belief and internalization of shortcomings.

4: Fear of Success

Repressed trauma can also manifest as a strong fear of success. Have you ever held yourself back from pursuing something you wanted, not because you feared failure, but because you feared the consequences of achieving it?

You're afraid of losing what you'll have even before you achieve it. The tendency to unconsciously sabotage your own chances of success is often associated with those who experienced abandonment or loss of a loved one at a young age.

5: Difficulty Concentrating

Trauma has significant psychological effects, including sudden difficulty concentrating. If you've experienced gaps in your memory, frequent blackouts, and struggle to maintain focus, your mind may be signaling the need to work through your trauma.

6: Trouble Asking for Help

Do you find it difficult to open up to others about your experiences? If you've faced abuse or mistreatment, seeking help can be a struggle. Often, you'd rather suffer in silence than risk rejection, judgment, or being perceived as weak.

7: Self-Harm and Emotional Outbursts

When intense emotions overwhelm you, do you lash out at others? Perhaps you push loved ones away and isolate yourself during challenging times. Unhealed trauma can lead to self-harm or hurting those around you. Emotional volatility, loss of control, and sensitivity may result.

8: Struggling with Self-Esteem

Trauma, especially from early childhood experiences, can distort your self-image. Abuse, abandonment, and neglect may make you question your self-worth. If the abuse came from someone you loved, it's even harder to feel good about yourself. Studies show that PTSD patients often suffer from low self-esteem and feelings of worthlessness.

9: Unexplained Psychological Symptoms

Are you experiencing increased anxiety and panic? Has it become challenging to find happiness or pleasure in activities you once enjoyed? Sleep disturbances and appetite changes may also be present. Research indicates that anxiety, depression, disassociation, and depersonalization can be linked to unhealed trauma.