January 15, 2025

Signs of Repressed Childhood Trauma In Adults & How To Heal

Learn how repressed childhood trauma in adults impacts emotions and relationships, with signs, coping tips, and guidance on seeking help.

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The signs of repressed childhood trauma are all too easy to overlook, especially since most people have no idea that their experiences could be driving their feelings, relationships, or even the way they contemplate life—or even themselves.

Childhood trauma is far more common than you might imagine, and its effects can pop back up in surprising ways later in life, even when memories of the experience feel small or seemingly irrelevant.

Understanding what repressed trauma is, how it may affect your life, how to cope, and when it’s time to seek treatment can help manage the ripple effects it has throughout your life.¹

What is "Repressed Trauma"?

Repressed trauma is when your brain pushes painful memories or feelings out of your conscious awareness to protect you.

Studies show that a large number of adults carry the weight of childhood trauma without realizing it.

Understanding the signs is an important first step towards healing and growth.

Do All "Repressed Traumas" Form in Childhood?

Of course, not all hidden trauma starts in childhood, but a lot of it does.

As a child, you had fewer coping skills, so it was easier to bury painful experiences rather than attempt to unpack how you felt and address them right then and there. 

Adults can repress trauma, too, but childhood is a tender, critical time when your brain is still developing, which leaves you more susceptible. 

In adulthood, you might push down traumatic memories because they’re too overwhelming to face, but childhood trauma often leaves lasting imprints that carry into later years.

When Is Trauma Considered "Repressed"?

Trauma can affect each person in a different way, but the long-lasting effect might feel quite similar, even though the specifics of the experience that causes it might look drastically dissimilar. 

When traumas are too painful to confront, your mind may hide these experiences to protect you—this is known as repressed trauma. 

Unlike other memories, repressed trauma isn’t easy to access.

Instead, your mind has buried it deep within the recesses, hiding it away to deal with at a later date. 

Unfortunately, while tucking that experience away and its impact can help in the moment, doing so can affect your unconscious behavior, emotions, and even your health, all without you realizing it. 

When you’re ready to unpack those emotions and experiences, it can be hard to remember.

Digging them out can feel like ripping open old wounds, but it’s an important step in getting to the root of the problem. 

With repressed trauma like this, it’s important not to try working through it alone—seek professional help to help you work through these tough memories.

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Signs of Repressed Childhood Trauma in Adults

Manifestations of repressed childhood trauma can show up in all sorts of ways, often without you even realizing it.

Being able to identify these signs can help you unravel what is beneath your experience and help you take the first step toward healing.

Learning how to recognize these common signs will help you identify whether you’re living with repressed childhood trauma and get the support you need.²

SignDescription
Avoidance or Strong ReactionsAvoiding certain places or people, or experiencing intense fear or discomfort, may stem from repressed trauma linked to these environments or individuals.
Memory LossGaps in memory, especially around traumatic events, may arise, with memories sometimes surfacing unexpectedly. Memory loss is a protective response but can obscure understanding of your past.
Trust IssuesStruggling to trust others or open up emotionally can come from past experiences that made vulnerability feel unsafe, affecting relationships.
Attachment IssuesDifficulty forming secure bonds, whether by avoiding closeness or becoming excessively dependent, can result from early unmet needs, leading to fears of abandonment.
Low Self-EsteemFeelings of inadequacy or unworthiness may stem from early experiences lacking validation, often fueled by a critical inner voice.
Dissociative EpisodesFeeling detached from surroundings or yourself, often triggered by resurfacing trauma, can provide a short-lived break but disrupts daily life.
Constant Anxiety or HypervigilancePersistent anxiety or feeling high-strung, even in safe places, rises from past trauma, keeping you at an elevated level of watchfulness.
Difficulty Regulating EmotionsStruggles with mood swings or feeling like minor stressors are too much often stem from early emotional invalidation, complicating emotional regulation.

How to Cope with Repressed Childhood Trauma

Dealing with repressed childhood trauma is no walk in the park.

It’s never easy, but it’s a must-do step in your journey of making changes that actually make a meaningful impact. 

Many people find that being attentive, journaling, and creative activities help them work through their not-so-easy emotions safely.

You may find the same is true for you. 

While these self-care methods are useful, seeing a therapist who focuses on trauma can be a game-changer.

Therapy gives you a more comfortable, nurturing space to take a step into your past and work through repressed memories with the guidance of someone who understands.³

Quick Tip: Recognize Your Emotional Responses

Take a moment to notice your emotional reactions. Understanding and acknowledging those feelings can be the first step in addressing repressed trauma. Small steps like these can make all the difference.

When Childhood Trauma Becomes a Problem

Until treated, childhood trauma may haunt your life and affect your relationships, feelings, and quality of life.

Coping mechanisms might help but can’t solve the problem if you don’t work through the traumatic experience. 

It may continue to hold sway over your life in crippling and unhealthy ways, holding you back from growth and happiness. 

If you feel like you’re at the tipping point on this threshold, it’s completely okay to reach out for a helping hand.

A therapist can help you understand how those early experiences are shaping your present and make real changes to improve your future.⁴

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I have repressed trauma?

The signs of repressed trauma can go hand-in-hand with other mental health concerns, so it can be hard to identify. Oftentimes, people experience symptoms like low self-esteem, dissociative episodes, trust issues, and more. If you think you might have repressed trauma, talk to a mental health professional. They can diagnose you and determine whether those signs stem from childhood trauma or something else. 

Unresolved childhood trauma in adults isn’t a one-size-fits-all sort of thing. It doesn’t always manifest in the same ways, but for most people, it affects their emotions, behaviors, and relationships. It can even affect you physically (such as constant fatigue or weight issues) or throw off your sleep (such as insomnia). Recognizing these signs is a must-do for starting the journey of healing.

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Key Takeaways

When to Seek Professional Help

If you’re battling painful memories that have stayed with you from childhood, do not let them fester.

Instead, reach out for a helping hand. 

Therapy will equip you with the wherewithal to overcome such memories in a non-threatening, nurturing environment, helping you take the first steps toward a happier, healthier life. 

At Cornerstone Healing Center, we’re here to help you work through those troublesome experiences, one therapeutic session at a time.

We understand how these traumatic points in your life can affect you later on, and we provide the resources necessary to help you recover. 

If you need help to resolve your childhood trauma, don’t hesitate to reach out.

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Author & Reviewers

lionel estrada lisac clinical director
CLINICAL DIRECTOR & REVIEWER

Lionel is the Clinical Director of Cornerstone’s Scottsdale treatment facilities. He has had over 4 years at Cornerstone. He is personally in recovery and passionate about helping others overcome substance abuse and mental health challenges; he is trained as an EMDR, adopting a trauma-informed approach to treat the underlying issues.

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