Human beings experience trauma at some point in their lives. Whether due to day-to-day struggles or more severe events such as war or disasters, pain and grief are part of the normal human experience. Most of the time, the brain can cope with and heal from this trauma, but when it gets overloaded, it can repress trauma. This unhealed, hidden trauma can cause physical and psychological consequences years after. People experiencing the effects of repressed trauma may need help from a trauma therapy program to recover.
If you think someone you care about is battling post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or another trauma-related mental health disorder, it’s best to get them to help right away. Getting professional treatment could help improve your loved one’s life or even save it in more dire cases. At Evoke Waltham, we believe everyone should be able to heal from their trauma. That’s why we have a trauma therapy program where licensed mental health experts help patients identify the lingering effects of traumatic experiences. Reach out to Evoke Waltham today at 866.276.1920 to learn more about the signs of repressed trauma and how we can help.
What Is Repressed Trauma?
Repressed trauma is a term that is commonly used to describe a situation where an individual has experienced a traumatic event. Still, instead of dealing with the feelings associated with it, they choose to ignore and suppress them. The trauma remains unresolved and can cause significant psychological, physical, and behavioral disturbances in an individual’s life.
When the word trauma is mentioned, it evokes images of war and natural disasters. However, the initial trauma can be anything from sexual assault to losing a job or even experiencing the death of someone close to you. It can also be more subtle events, such as growing up in an environment where love was absent. It’s important to remember that trauma is very personal, and what is traumatic for one person may not be for others. Whatever the trauma, it becomes stored in the individual’s unconscious mind when repressed.
What Are the Signs of Repressed Trauma
Often, people may not even know that the symptoms they are experiencing are due to repressed trauma. Some of the signs may include:
- Anxiety – People with repressed trauma may feel anxious in situations that remind them of their past traumatic experiences. They may also feel overwhelmed by emotions that don’t make sense in the present moment, such as anger or sadness. This fear can manifest as panic attacks, irrational fears, phobias, and nightmares.
- Unexplained reactions – Perhaps it’s a person they’ve just met or a situation they’ve just entered. Sometimes individuals with repressed trauma will immediately go into a defensive mode for no reason if they encounter something or someone that unconsciously reminds them of their trauma.
- Difficulty concentrating – A person with repressed trauma may sometimes struggle with remembering information or paying attention during conversations. This can lead to poor performance in school and work-related activities.
- Difficulty expressing emotions – Individuals with repressed trauma may seem emotionally distant or unresponsive, even when speaking with friends or family about important matters. Additionally, they might be unable to express thoughts and feelings clearly due to an inability to articulate their experiences effectively. As a result, they may become withdrawn from social situations or avoid certain activities altogether due to feeling like they cannot handle them emotionally.
It is crucial for those who have repressed trauma to seek professional help so that they can begin to process their experiences in a healthy way. Therapy can provide a safe space for individuals to talk about their experiences without fear of judgment or stigma. It also allows individuals to gain insight into their thoughts and behaviors and how past experiences may shape their conscious or unconscious reactions. Therapists can also provide coping strategies and support that will assist individuals in learning how to manage their emotions and reactions better so that they do not feel overwhelmed by the effects of repressed trauma.
Learn More About the Effects of Repressed Trauma at Evoke Waltham
Contact the professionals at Evoke Waltham for trauma therapy in a supportive, welcoming community. Trauma services are just part of Evoke Waltham’s treatment resources. With the support of our medical experts and counselors, you can begin your recovery from trauma, addiction, or almost any other mental health or substance use disorder. Let us help you break free from repressed trauma. We would happily guide you through the signs of repressed trauma and develop a recovery plan. Contact us today at 866.276.1920.
