Nine Signs Of Repressed Childhood Trauma

Repressed childhood trauma can have a profound impact on an adult’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being. If you suspect you may have experienced childhood trauma but can’t recall specific events, you might be dealing with repressed memories.

Here are nine signs of repressed childhood trauma in adults and what you can do about it:

—

1. Unexplained Emotional Reactions

You experience intense emotional reactions (e.g., anger, sadness, fear) to situations that don’t seem to warrant them. These feelings may feel disproportionate or out of control.

What to Do:

Practice mindfulness to identify triggers. Journaling can help you explore the root of these emotions. Consider therapy to process unresolved feelings.

—

2. Gaps in Memory

You have large gaps in your childhood memories or struggle to recall specific periods of your life. This could indicate dissociative amnesia, a common response to trauma.

What to Do:

Avoid forcing yourself to remember. Instead, work with a trauma-informed therapist who can guide you through the process of uncovering and processing these memories safely.

—

3. Chronic Anxiety or Depression

You struggle with persistent anxiety, depression, or mood swings that don’t have a clear cause. These may be linked to unresolved trauma.

What to Do:

Seek professional help from a therapist or counselor. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) are effective treatments for trauma-related anxiety and depression.

—

4. Difficulty Trusting Others

You find it hard to trust people or form close relationships. This could stem from betrayal or abandonment during childhood.

What to Do:

Work on building trust gradually in safe relationships. Therapy can help you explore and heal attachment wounds.

—

5. Feeling Numb or Disconnected

You often feel emotionally numb, detached, or disconnected from yourself and others. This is a common symptom of dissociation.

What to Do:

Grounding techniques, such as focusing on your senses or breathing, can help you feel more present. Therapy can address the underlying dissociation.

—

6. Self-Sabotaging Behaviours

You engage in self-destructive behaviours, such as substance abuse, self-harm, or staying in toxic relationships. These may be coping mechanisms for unresolved trauma.

What to Do:

Identify patterns of self-sabotage and seek support to develop healthier coping strategies. Therapy can help you understand and change these behaviors.

—

7. Chronic Physical Symptoms

You experience unexplained physical symptoms, such as headaches, stomach issues, or chronic pain. Trauma can manifest physically due to the mind-body connection.

What to Do:

Consult a healthcare professional to rule out medical causes. Consider somatic therapy or trauma-focused yoga to address the physical effects of trauma.

—

8. Low Self-Esteem and Self-Worth

You struggle with feelings of worthlessness, shame, or self-hatred. These often stem from childhood experiences of abuse, neglect, or criticism.

What to Do:

Practice self-compassion and challenge negative self-beliefs. Therapy can help you rebuild your self-esteem and reframe your self-image.

—

9: Fear of Abandonment or Rejection

You have an intense fear of being abandoned or rejected, leading to clinginess or avoidance in relationships. This may be rooted in childhood experiences of neglect or loss.

What to Do:

Explore these fears in therapy. Learning about attachment styles can also provide insight into your relationship patterns.

—