Signs You Might Be Holding Onto Trauma (and How EMDR Can Help)
Signs You Might Be Holding Onto Trauma (and How EMDR Can Help)
Trauma isn’t just about what happened to you—it’s about how your mind and body hold onto those experiences. Sometimes, people don’t even realize they are carrying unresolved trauma until they notice patterns of distress, emotional triggers, or unexplained physical symptoms. If you’ve ever wondered whether past experiences are still affecting you, this guide will help you recognize the signs and explore how EMDR therapy can help you heal.
Common Signs of Unresolved Trauma
1. You Have Intense Emotional Reactions to Certain Situations
Do certain people, places, or situations make you feel suddenly anxious, angry, or overwhelmed? If your emotional response feels disproportionate to the situation, it could be a sign of a trauma trigger—your brain reacting as if a past danger is happening again.
2. You Struggle with Anxiety, Panic, or Hypervigilance
Feeling constantly on edge, easily startled, or hyper-aware of your surroundings can be a lingering effect of trauma. Your nervous system may still be stuck in a "fight-or-flight" state, making relaxation difficult.
3. You Experience Flashbacks or Intrusive Thoughts
Unwanted memories, nightmares, or sudden emotional reliving of past events can indicate that your brain hasn’t fully processed the trauma. These experiences can feel like the past is intruding on the present.
4. You Avoid Certain Situations, Places, or People
Do you find yourself going out of your way to avoid reminders of a past event? Avoidance is a common coping mechanism for trauma, but over time, it can limit your life and reinforce fear rather than healing.
5. You Feel Emotionally Numb or Disconnected
Some people cope with trauma by shutting down emotions entirely. If you struggle to feel joy, love, or deep connection with others, it could be because your brain is trying to protect you from emotional pain.
6. You Have Unexplained Physical Symptoms
Trauma isn’t just stored in the mind—it also impacts the body. Chronic pain, tension headaches, digestive issues, and sleep disturbances are often linked to unresolved trauma, even when medical tests show no clear cause.
7. Negative Self-Beliefs Hold You Back
Do you find yourself thinking, “I’m not safe,” “I’m not good enough,” or “I can’t trust anyone”? Trauma can shape the way you see yourself and the world, leading to patterns of self-doubt, shame, or low self-worth.
How EMDR Therapy Can Help You Heal
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful therapy designed to help you process and release unresolved trauma. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR helps your brain reprocess distressing memories so they no longer trigger emotional and physical distress.
How EMDR Works:
🔹 Identifies stuck trauma memories and the negative beliefs attached to them.
🔹 Uses bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or sounds) to help the brain reprocess the trauma.
🔹 Helps replace negative self-beliefs with positive, empowering ones (e.g., “I am safe now”).
🔹 Reduces emotional intensity so past events no longer feel overwhelming.
EMDR allows your brain to naturally heal from trauma, much like how your body heals a wound. Many people notice relief and emotional freedom after just a few sessions.
Take the First Step Toward Healing
If you recognize yourself in any of these signs, you don’t have to carry this weight alone. EMDR therapy can help you heal, regain control, and live with more peace.
I offer a free phone consultation to answer your questions and see if EMDR is the right fit for you. Click the button below to schedule your consultation today—I’d love to support you on your healing journey.