Unresolved Trauma Symptoms: 4 Signs Your Body Is Trying to Tell You Something
Surprising Signs of Unresolved Trauma You Might Be Ignoring
So many people are walking around with unprocessed trauma symptoms without even realizing it, and thinking it is just a normal part of life. I find it fascinating that there are a lot of instances in which I start working with an individual who may or may not be coming in to work with me for trauma therapy, and then find out they are having symptoms of unresolved trauma. It is important to understand that trauma comes in all shapes and sizes and that in this blog (and in my own practice in Kansas City) I will use a broad definition of trauma. Here is a little bit more information on “big ‘T’ versus little ‘t’ trauma.”
The trauma symptoms some people are dealing with aren't "just stress" or "just because they're overly sensitive," but sneaky ways in which their nervous systems are continuously responding to past trauma. Understanding how trauma is stored in the body is crucial to recognizing these patterns. Therefore, I thought it would be helpful to explore some common signs of unresolved trauma that people often miss and provide some hope that these are treatable trauma symptoms that can be healed and resolved, not just tolerated forever.
1. Emotional Dysregulation: Why You Overreact to Small Things (and How Trauma Plays a Role)
Overreacting to small things can be a sign of unresolved trauma.
Do you ever find yourself responding to things in ways that you don't quite understand? Do others feel confused by your reactions, giving you the feedback that you are being dramatic? This is a common feature of unprocessed trauma that goes unnoticed. These trauma patterns in relationships can significantly impact your connections with others. I don't particularly love this phrase, but feel like it encapsulates this well in trauma therapy – "If it is hysterical, it is historical." By that, I mean that if the reaction feels like it doesn't fit the situation, there could be unprocessed trauma that needs to be addressed through trauma-informed therapy.
People can "overreact" to things because their brain is registering danger from a situation that they are unaware of. This very old part of our brain (the amygdala) is in charge of detecting signs of danger, and it generalizes, meaning that anything that feels like/looks like/smells like/tastes like the original trauma will get categorized as a threat. This is a natural protective response, but when it happens chronically, it signals that trauma healing work may be needed. Therefore, it is important to renegotiate the trauma through somatic therapy so that the reactions that feel confusing can stop.
2. Dissociation and Trauma: Why You Can't Stay Present in Your Life
The word "dissociation" is all the rage right now. We are hearing it used outside of the trauma therapy space and in the culture at large, but it can show up in ways that people might often miss. Dissociation symptoms aren't just completely losing chunks of time or looking into the mirror and feeling like you don't know the person reflected back at you. Dissociation from trauma can also feel like being zoned out, dulled, disconnected, or numb.
People dissociate because things are too much or too overwhelming. If a person has experienced a trauma in which the best survival strategy was to mentally leave, dissociation might be the continued survival strategy even when things are calm. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, dissociation is a common symptom of PTSD and complex trauma. That is one of the biggest things trauma takes from us – the ability to be present even in the good moments. Don't lose hope though; somatic therapy for trauma healing can completely change this. Research shows that body-based trauma therapies can significantly reduce dissociation symptoms. If you want to learn more about symptoms of disassociation, you can take this quiz. Please don’t take it if you aren’t ready to seek treatment for it or have the sense that this information might be too activating for you.
Common Dissociation Symptoms Caused by Unresolved Trauma
Difficulty feeling joy even when you know that’s how you typically would be feeling
People telling you that it looked like you just “went somewhere else”
Getting lost in parts of conversations with people, feeling confused about what they are saying now
Difficulty focusing/brain fog
Low desire to engage in activities that would normally excite you
Desire to zone out by watching TV or scrolling social media
These could be signs that you are dissociating and could benefit from somatic therapy in Kansas City. Learn more about whether you're ready for Somatic Experiencing to address these symptoms.
Quick Trauma Healing Tip:
Identify your trauma triggers. What are common scenarios that send you into a dissociated freeze? What do you feel right before you zone out? Finding a good way to cope with that precursory feeling will help reduce the amount of times your nervous system feels the need to have you dissociate. I would recommend doing something grounding that occupies your senses, such as deep stretching, smelling essential oils, or going outside.
3. Somatic Symptoms: How Unresolved Trauma Manifests as Chronic Pain and Tension
Trauma can show up in the body as physiological symptoms such as headaches, stomach aches, and pelvic floor pain.
To quote Bessel Van der Kolk, author of The Body Keeps the Score, the body definitely keeps the score. Even if in our consciousness we don't think we are dealing with trauma, our bodies are definitely letting us know that the trauma did, in fact, happen. This is why somatic therapy approaches are so effective for treating trauma stored in the body.
Physical Symptoms of Unresolved Trauma Include:
Jaw pain
Headaches
Pelvic floor pain
Stomach aches and digestive difficulties
Global aches/pains
Constricted breathing
This list is not exhaustive and I do want to emphasize that it is important to speak to a doctor about these symptoms before or while pursuing trauma therapy in Kansas City. The body, when it goes into fight/flight/freeze response and doesn't ever fully understand that it is safe again, will present tension and pain patterns associated with these various states. Research published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress confirms the strong connection between unresolved trauma and chronic pain conditions. That is why leaving the body out of the trauma healing process means that we don't capture a large part of the story that the intellect has forgotten. It gives us clues about what happened and what needs to happen in order to heal.
Quick Trauma Healing Tip:
If some of these symptoms describe you and your doctors are at a loss for words or perhaps have even told you they are caused by anxiety, reach out to a somatic therapist in Kansas City! Don't ignore those symptoms or think that they are just a part of life from now on. Understanding how somatic therapy and CBT work together can provide a comprehensive approach to healing these physical symptoms.
Another great resource to learn about the impact of chronic stress on the body is the book Mind Your Body by Nichole J. Sachs. It is a really accessible read and has great tips for managing pain!
4. Negative Self-Talk and Trauma: When Your Inner Critic Is Actually a Trauma Response
One sign of unresolved trauma is having a loud inner critic. The good news is you are not broken and you can heal from your trauma.
That inner voice that whispers, "Don't be dramatic" or "You should've gotten over this by now"? It might not be yours. More than likely, it is a narrative that has been caused by unresolved trauma, depression, or anxiety.
This overly critical voice usually hints at the possibility that a person has experienced relational trauma or developmental trauma where emotions were not only not welcome, but punished. According to research on complex trauma, over time, the voice used by the abuser becomes the voice used by the individual. The way the abuser maintained power and control was by making that person think and feel that they are less than, undeserving, and powerless. Trauma symptoms persist when these negative narratives persist.
Quick Trauma Healing Tip:
Trauma-informed therapy in Kansas City helps to rewrite harmful narratives and help the person not only know intellectually that those statements aren't true, but believe them body, mind, and spirit. Get a leg up on your next trauma therapy session by trying to identify these negative thought patterns. Here are some trauma journaling prompts to dig a bit deeper into your self-defeating thoughts.
Understanding Trauma Symptoms: You're Not Broken, You're Responding to Past Wounds
Western psychology has the unfortunate tendency to pathologize a lot of normal reactions to abnormal circumstances. The signs of unresolved trauma are not exempt from this either.
Instead of being overly self-critical of the trauma symptoms you could be experiencing due to your past, try to recognize that these are simply signs that your nervous system did the best it could to protect you from trauma and continue protecting you from perceived threat. This understanding is central to how we approach trauma healing at Embodied Healing KC. One of the biggest reasons we love Somatic Experiencing therapy for treating trauma over here is because it frames our behaviors as survival strategies instead of something to feel shame about. Learn more about 5 key insights into Somatic Experiencing therapy and how it works.
Ready to Heal Unresolved Trauma? Here's How to Start
If you're ready to begin your trauma healing journey in Kansas City, reach out. Whether through Somatic Experiencing, EMDR therapy, or mind-body integration, there's a way forward that meets you exactly where you are. Our Kansas City somatic therapy practice specializes in helping people heal from trauma symptoms and find lasting relief.
Take the next step: Schedule a complimentary phone consultation to learn how trauma therapy can help you address these symptoms and reclaim your sense of peace and presence.
Frequently Asked Questions About Unresolved Trauma
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Subtle signs include overreacting to minor issues, zoning out or dissociating, chronic tension or pain without a clear cause, and harsh self-criticism. These symptoms often go unnoticed but can indicate that the nervous system is stuck in a trauma response.
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Yes. Trauma often manifests as physical symptoms such as headaches, jaw tension, stomach issues, or chronic pain. These are signs that the body is still reacting to unresolved stress.
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Dissociation is a common trauma response where a person mentally disconnects to protect themselves from overwhelming emotions. It can show up as zoning out, brain fog, or emotional numbness.
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Somatic therapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), and body-focused approaches help process trauma and rewire the nervous system’s response to perceived danger.
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Yes. With proper support, unresolved trauma can be treated and healed. The key is recognizing the signs and seeking trauma-informed therapy to address them holistically.
Stevie Olson-Spiegel is a Licensed Therapist and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner located in Kansas City. She uses Somatic Experiencing as her main body-based trauma healing modality, as well as EMDR. As an Intuitive Eating Counselor, she uses these principles to help her clients challenge their relationship with their cultural misconceptions about their body and food.
