Past traumatic memories and events define us in many ways. Sometimes, they can stay with us for a long time. Letting go of these memories can be difficult. This can lead to unresolved trauma. To understand unresolved trauma better, we first have to define trauma.
Golden Gate Recovery provides comprehensive treatment for individuals struggling with unresolved trauma and addiction. Our approach combines evidence-based therapies and holistic practices to address the root causes of addiction and promote healing.
Our team of experienced professionals offers personalized care plans, including individual and group counseling, trauma-informed experiential therapy, and relapse prevention strategies. By fostering a supportive and compassionate environment, Golden Gate Recovery empowers clients to achieve lasting recovery and regain control of their lives.
Trauma is a response to a horrifying or distressing situation or event. When a person has trauma, they might experience shock, flashbacks, and denial. Physical symptoms might include dizziness, nausea, or vomiting. Most times, trauma fades after a few days or weeks. However, it can also be prolonged and last for years. Post-traumatic stress disorder is a good example of prolonged trauma.
Unresolved traumas are traumatic experiences you have not let go of. You might have gotten treatment or seen a therapist for it. However, it still lingers. Most times, unresolved traumas are childhood traumas. They can also be gotten from heartbreaks, divorces, or accidents. However, childhood traumas are harder to spot and treat for many reasons.
First, children are not as expressive as adults. So, they might feel their traumatic experiences deeply but have no words to express the hurt. Even when traumatic experiences are treated, therapists might find it difficult to find the root causes. This leads to the treatment of only the symptoms.
So, even when the symptoms fade, the root cause of the trauma remains. These problems stay with the child until adulthood. Eventually, they become unresolved trauma.
Symptoms of unresolved trauma can manifest in various physical, emotional, and behavioral ways. Common symptoms include anxiety, depression, and chronic feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Individuals may also experience flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive thoughts related to the traumatic event. Physical symptoms can include headaches, fatigue, and unexplained pain. Behavioral symptoms often involve substance abuse and self-harm.
Unresolved trauma can happen for various reasons. It can happen when the trauma was never treated. When people are traumatized during their childhood, it might not be spotted. These people grow up thinking they have to take care of themselves. They might ignore the traumatic experiences and “move on” from them.
It might also happen when trauma is treated but the root cause was never addressed. Unresolved trauma is not just about the traumatic experience. Other qualities such as trust can be affected. If time and attention are not directed towards repairing the damage, it can remain unresolved.
Signs of unresolved trauma include:
If you’re experiencing any of these signs, you should seek help. Golden Gate Recovery is a good place to start. We have mental health professionals who understand the struggles that come with unresolved trauma.
Unresolved trauma can have profound and far-reaching effects on an individual’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being. When traumatic experiences are not adequately addressed, they can lead to a cascade of symptoms that interfere with daily functioning and overall quality of life.
It’s important to shed light on how unresolved trauma can manifest in psychological disorders, physical health issues, and behavioral challenges. Understanding these effects is crucial for recognizing the importance of seeking appropriate treatment and support for those affected.
Trauma invokes the same response as stress. When the body feels stressed, it produces cortisol, noradrenaline, and adrenaline. These three hormones provide the flight or fight response in dangerous situations. When stress or danger disappears, so do these hormones.
When someone has unresolved trauma, their body is always on high alert. This means that these three hormones will be secreted regularly. This can reduce the body’s ability to perform efficiently. It can also lead to other physical health problems such as burnout. Burnout, in turn, leads to fatigue, dizziness, and low productivity.
Other physical health challenges include stroke and high blood pressure. Obesity and some types of cancer can also be caused by unresolved trauma.
Unresolved trauma also takes a toll on your mental health. You have a higher chance of having other mental health problems. This includes depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, PSTD, and bipolar disorder.
Unresolved trauma also takes a toll on people’s social lives. People who suffer from this condition find it difficult to form new friendships and ties.
They might also find it hard to trust others or fully express themselves. If their unresolved trauma is a result of separation from their parents and guardians, they might have problems with clinginess and commitment.
People with unresolved trauma might also isolate themselves. They might also not want to take part in social gatherings or activities.
Unresolved trauma is usually diagnosed by a doctor and mental health professional. The doctor might ask you some questions to rule out other physical health issues. You might also be asked to run some tests.
A psychological evaluation will be necessary. Here, a mental health expert or doctor will ask you questions about your feelings, symptoms, and previous traumatic experiences. To accurately diagnose unresolved trauma, the doctor will have to consult DSM-5. This serves as a guideline for diagnosing mental disorders.
Different therapies can be used to treat unresolved trauma. This includes:
Golden Gate Recovery offers therapeutic services to help address unresolved trauma and any co-occurring substance use disorders. We aim to help anyone struggling with unresolved trauma to get care and attention.
Other drugs can also help with anxiety levels. Make sure you contact your doctor before taking any medication.
Yes, with enough treatment, unresolved trauma can be cured. To get the needed help, you should contact the right mental health experts. Golden Gate Recovery is an excellent place to begin your journey to healing. It might be worth checking them out. If you have signs of unresolved trauma, contact us, and let us walk with you on the road to recovery.
Get confidential help! Call Us Now for:
Dr. Small’s professional experience encompasses General Psychiatry, Addiction Psychiatry and Family Medicine. As the founder of Headlands Addiction Treatment Services, Dr. Small and his team have become leaders in the delivery of addiction medicine and psychiatry to treatment programs throughout California and beyond. These compassionate services are reliable, responsive, personable, and evidenced based. Most of the team providers carry multiple board certifications in psychiatry, addiction medicine and family medicine. They recruit the best and brightest addiction medicine professionals to deliver the highest level of treatment.
Certified by the Department of Health Care Services Certification: #210052AP Expiration: 03/31/2025
Copyright © 2025 Golden Gate Recovery | Privacy Policy | Accessibility