1. Chronic Anxiety or Hypervigilance

Adults with unresolved childhood trauma often feel persistently anxious or “on guard.” Their nervous system learned early that the world was unpredictable or unsafe, and it never fully learned how to relax.

This may look like:

• constant worry or tension
• difficulty relaxing, even during downtime
• being easily startled
• feeling unsafe without knowing why

2. Difficulty with Emotional Regulation

Repressed trauma can make emotions feel overwhelming or confusing. You may swing between emotional numbness and intense emotional reactions.

Common experiences include:

• shutting down emotionally
• sudden anger or sadness
• difficulty identifying feelings
• feeling embarrassed by emotional responses

These reactions are often tied to early experiences where emotions were ignored, punished, or unsafe to express.

3. Patterns of Unhealthy Relationships

Trauma from childhood frequently impacts adult relationships. You may find yourself repeating familiar but painful patterns without understanding why.

Examples include:

• fear of abandonment
• difficulty trusting others
• people-pleasing or over-giving
• avoiding intimacy
• staying in unhealthy or codependent relationships

These patterns often reflect early attachment wounds rather than present-day reality.

4. Low Self-Worth or Persistent Shame

Many adults with repressed childhood trauma carry a deep sense of shame or inadequacy. Even when successful, they may feel like they’re “not enough.”

This can show up as:

• harsh self-criticism
• perfectionism
• fear of failure
• difficulty accepting praise
• feeling fundamentally flawed

These beliefs often formed during childhood when emotional validation was missing.

5. Memory Gaps or Emotional Disconnect from Childhood

Some adults notice they remember very little from their childhood, or they recall events without emotional connection. While not everyone with trauma experiences memory gaps, it can be a sign that emotions were suppressed for survival.

You might feel:

• detached when thinking about childhood
• emotionally numb when recalling early experiences
• confused about why certain situations trigger strong reactions

6. Physical Symptoms Without a Clear Cause

Trauma is stored not only in the mind, but also in the body. Many adults experience physical symptoms linked to unresolved emotional stress.

These may include:

• chronic pain or tension
• headaches
• digestive issues
• fatigue
• sleep disturbances

According to trauma-informed research, the body often expresses what the mind has learned to suppress.

7. Difficulty Feeling Safe or Present

Adults with repressed childhood trauma may struggle to feel grounded or fully present in their lives. They may feel disconnected from their body, emotions, or surroundings.

This can look like:

• dissociation or “spacing out”
• feeling detached from reality
• living on autopilot
• difficulty experiencing joy

This disconnection once served as protection, but over time it limits emotional fulfillment.

8. Substance Use or Compulsive Behaviors

Many adults unknowingly use substances or behaviors to cope with unresolved trauma. Alcohol, drugs, overworking, overeating, or constant distraction can temporarily numb emotional pain.

At Robles Ranch Mental Health, we recognize that addiction is often intertwined with trauma. Treating one without addressing the other rarely leads to lasting healing.