5 Signs You Might Have Unresolved Trauma (and What to Do About It)

Unresolved trauma can hide in plain sight. It doesn't always look like what we expect—flashbacks, panic attacks, being irritable towards others, or breakdowns in the parking lot where you cry but your not entirely sure if its something you should cry about. Sometimes, trauma quietly influences our thoughts, relationships, and physical health. At Healing Intimacies, I believe that healing begins with awareness. Recognizing the signs of unresolved trauma is the first step toward reclaiming your peace and wholeness.

Here are five common signs that you might be living with unprocessed trauma—and what you can do to start healing.

1. You Struggle With Emotional Regulation

If your emotions often feel like they’re too intense, too unpredictable, or too hard to control, unresolved trauma might be at the root. You may find yourself feeling overwhelmed by small triggers or numb to emotions altogether. This can look like frequent mood swings, emotional outbursts, or a tendency to shut down.

What to Do:

• Begin journaling to track emotional patterns and triggers.

• Practice grounding techniques like box breathing or mindfulness.

• Work with a trauma-informed therapist to process the root cause.

2. You Have Difficulty Trusting Others

Unresolved trauma—especially from early relationships—can damage our ability to feel safe with others. You might find yourself hypervigilant, expecting betrayal, or constantly questioning people’s motives. On the flip side, you may overly attach to people, fearing abandonment.

What to Do:

• Reflect on past attachment wounds. We can often find insight within our relationships in how we behave today.

• Set healthy boundaries in relationships. Boundaries are not meant to cut people out of our life, but to enhance our relationships for the better. 

• Explore somatic or relational therapy to rebuild trust from the inside out. It can be best to start with ourselves before we explore how we build with others. 

3. You’re Constantly in “Survival Mode”

Do you often feel on edge, overly alert, or like you’re waiting for the next bad thing to happen? This is a hallmark of unresolved trauma—your nervous system is stuck in fight-or-flight. Over time, this can lead to chronic anxiety, fatigue, and even physical illness.

What to Do:

• Learn nervous system regulation techniques (like vagal toning or EFT tapping).

• Prioritize sleep, nutrition, and self-care rituals. Practicing a way not to always keep moving can be harder than people think when moving constantly has been our safety net. 

• Consider trauma-informed yoga or bodywork to help release stored tension.

4. You Experience Unexplained Physical Symptoms

Trauma isn’t just psychological—it’s somatic. Unprocessed trauma can manifest as headaches, digestive issues, chronic pain, or autoimmune flare-ups. If doctors can’t find a clear cause, it may be time to look at your emotional history.

What to Do:

• Keep a symptom journal to notice connections between emotions and physical responses.

• Try holistic therapies like craniosacral therapy or acupuncture.

• Integrate mental and physical health care with a trauma-aware practitioner.

5. You Feel Disconnected from Yourself or Others

A common trauma response is dissociation—a sense of feeling numb, detached, or “not really here.” You might feel like you're going through the motions, losing touch with your identity, or avoiding intimacy and vulnerability.

What to Do:

• Reconnect with your body through movement, dance, or creative expression.

• Spend time in nature or with safe, supportive people.

• Explore inner child work to rediscover parts of yourself that went into hiding.

Healing Is Possible

Unresolved trauma doesn’t have to define your story. With the right support, you can heal deeply, reconnect with yourself, and experience meaningful relationships.

At Healing Intimacies, I specialize in trauma-informed therapy, somatic healing, and relationship restoration. Whether you’re just beginning your healing journey or looking to deepen it, I’m here to walk with you.

Ready to Begin?

If you recognize any of these signs of unresolved trauma, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to navigate it by yourself. At Healing Intimacies, we provide compassionate, trauma-informed therapy in both Silver Spring, Maryland and San Antonio, Texas, as well as virtually for clients across Maryland, Florida, or Texas.

Whether you're seeking somatic therapy, support for relationship trauma, or guidance in healing attachment wounds, we're here to help you reclaim your emotional well-being and reconnect with your true self.

Book a free consultation today and take the next step toward healing. Even if you just have questions you are encouraged to reach out!