Unhealed trauma doesn’t just affect your emotions — it can also show up in your body. Trauma, especially developmental and complex trauma, can leave lasting imprints that go beyond what we consciously remember. Even if you’ve pushed the memories of your trauma aside, your body and mind might still carry the weight of those experiences.

Physical Signs of Unhealed Trauma

Trauma can manifest physically in many different ways. Often, people with developmental trauma experience chronic physical symptoms that seem unrelated to their emotional health, but these symptoms can be signs that the trauma is still present in the body.

Here are some common physical signs of unhealed trauma:

• Chronic pain or tension: You might feel tightness in your shoulders, neck, or back, or experience chronic headaches or muscle tension. This can be a way your body holds on to the stress and anxiety from past trauma.
• Fatigue or exhaustion: Many people with unhealed trauma feel constantly tired, even if they get enough sleep. The body is in a state of constant alertness, which drains energy over time.
• Sleep disturbances: Insomnia, frequent nightmares, or waking up feeling unrested, are common symptoms of unresolved trauma. Your nervous system may still be on high alert, making it hard to fully relax, even when asleep.
• Gastrointestinal issues: The gut is closely linked to emotional health, and trauma can often result in stomach problems like IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), nausea, or digestive discomfort.

Emotional Signs of Unhealed Trauma

Emotionally, unhealed trauma can make it difficult to feel safe, secure, and grounded in your daily life. Many people with unresolved trauma feel a constant sense of unease or struggle with emotional regulation.

Here are some emotional signs to watch for:

• Emotional overwhelm: Small challenges can feel like insurmountable obstacles. You might find yourself overreacting emotionally to situations that seem trivial to others.
• Numbness or disconnection: On the other hand, some people experience emotional numbness. You may feel disconnected from your emotions, like you’re going through the motions without truly engaging.
• Persistent anxiety or hypervigilance: You may constantly feel on edge or anxious, as if something bad is always about to happen. This is a common response to trauma, where the body and mind remain in “fight or flight” mode.
• Difficulty trusting others: Unhealed trauma can make it hard to trust people, even those who are close to you. You might be afraid of being hurt or abandoned, making it difficult to form deep, trusting relationships.

What Does Unprocessed Trauma Feel Like?

Unprocessed trauma can feel like carrying a heavy emotional and physical burden that you’re not fully aware of. It might show up as a sense of being “stuck” — unable to move forward in life, even though you’re not sure why. You might experience emotional flashbacks, where you feel the emotions from past traumatic experiences, even if you don’t consciously remember the event itself.

Many people describe unhealed trauma as living in a state of constant tension, never fully able to relax or feel safe. This emotional and physical exhaustion can lead to burnout, depression, or chronic health issues if left untreated.

Unhealed Childhood Trauma in Adults

For those who experienced developmental trauma in childhood, the effects often continue into adulthood, showing up in subtle and not-so-subtle ways. What does unhealed childhood trauma look like in adults?

• Relational difficulties: You may struggle with intimacy, trust, or boundaries in relationships. You might avoid closeness out of fear of being hurt, or find yourself overly dependent on others for validation.
• Low self-esteem: People with unhealed childhood trauma often carry a deep sense of shame or unworthiness, which can affect their confidence in personal and professional life.
• Emotional instability: Mood swings, difficulty managing anger or sadness, and emotional outbursts can be common when childhood trauma hasn’t been fully addressed.