Common symptoms
Addictions
Drugs and alcohol are the most common types of addictions formed by those who have unhealed trauma, but there are many more "socially acceptable" types of addiction . Work, sports, shopping, food, sex, pornography and more when engaged in excessively in order to numb an inner ache and pain from the wounds in the soul.
Relationship Difficulties
It is not uncommon for unhealed trauma to build up a fortress wall around the heart and soul in order to self protect. Consequently, healthy relationships are difficult to maintain. Fearful of being know and rejected, the traumatized individual allows relationships to only come so close. There is a compulsion to maintain control of circumstances and people in order to lessen the risk of harm.
Some allow only a few close friends in their lives, and then become possessive of those relationships. They are plagued by feelings of jealousy, rensentment, fear, anger, and loneliness.
Clinical Mental Illness
Trauma experienced in the first 6 years of life, if severe, can lead to a variety of clinical mental health disorders or heighten the likelihood of pre-existing genetic disposition towards : clinical depression, schizophrenia, bi-polar, border line personality, dis-associative identity disorder and others. For these individuals we refer them to seek professional care from a qualified mental health provider.
Mysterious Physical Illnesses
Because trauma alters our cells, it has a profound effect on our physical health. Common to those with repressed traumatic memories are unexplained and random aches, pain, and illnesses. Typically they are tense all the time, find it difficult to relax, have difficulty concentrating, do not eat healthy or have healthy eating patterns, suffer from insomnia, are hyper vigilant (always know what is going on around them). These are just a sampling of symptoms of repressed trauma. If you or someone you know seems to feel this describes you, please reach out to a trusted friend, contact a mental health provider, or a minister who is experienced in inner healing and deliverance ministry.
Please go see your doctor and get a complete physical to rule out any unknown truly medical cause.