Unresolved trauma can manifest in various ways, impacting an individual’s emotional, physical, and psychological well-being. The signs and symptoms can vary widely among individuals, depending on factors such as the nature of the trauma, the individual’s resilience, and their support systems.

Here are some common indicators of unresolved trauma…

Emotional and Psychological Symptoms:

• Persistent Sadness or Depression – Feeling down, hopeless, or persistently sad.
• Anxiety and Panic Attacks – Experiencing intense, sometimes paralyzing, anxiety or panic attacks.
• Anger and Irritability – Having difficulty controlling anger or feeling irritable without a clear reason.
• Flashbacks and Intrusive Thoughts – Reliving the traumatic event through flashbacks or having intrusive thoughts about it.
• Mood Swings – Experiencing severe mood swings or emotional instability.
• Fear of Trauma Recurrence – Constantly fearing that the traumatic event will happen again.
• Dissociation – Feeling detached from oneself or reality, a sense of watching oneself from outside.
• Difficulty Trusting Others – Struggling to trust others or feeling betrayed.
• Guilt, Shame, or Self-Blame – Feeling excessively guilty or blaming oneself for the trauma.

Physical Symptoms:

• Hypervigilance – Being excessively alert or on edge, leading to fatigue.
• Sleep Disturbances – Struggling with insomnia, nightmares, or sleeping too much.
• Somatic Complaints – Experiencing unexplained physical symptoms such as headaches, digestive issues, or chronic pain.
• Changes in Appetite – Experiencing changes in appetite, leading to weight gain or loss.

Behavioral Changes:

• Avoidance – Avoiding people, places, or situations that remind one of the trauma.
• Substance Abuse – Using drugs or alcohol to numb feelings or cope with memories.
• Social Withdrawal – Withdrawing from social activities or relationships.
• Self-Harm – Engaging in self-harm or suicidal behaviors.

Impact on Relationships and Daily Life:

• Difficulty in Relationships – Struggling to maintain close or healthy relationships.
• Impaired Functioning – Having difficulty functioning at work, school, or in daily activities.

The presence of these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean an individual has unresolved trauma; they could be indicative of other mental health issues as well. If someone is experiencing many of these symptoms, it might be beneficial for them to seek professional help. Therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and trauma-informed counseling can be effective in addressing and resolving trauma.