Hidden Trauma Doesn’t Always Scream—Sometimes It Whispers
- Rosemary Powell, CMS, CHT, FNLP
- Aug 3
- 2 min read
You might be surprised how often someone walks into my practice and gently says,“I don’t understand what’s wrong with me. My life looks fine, but inside I feel anxious, disconnected, and exhausted from holding it all together.”
This isn’t weakness or drama—it’s the quiet echo of something many people don’t know how to name: hidden trauma.
We often think trauma must be something dramatic—a tragedy, an accident, or violence. But trauma is also what didn’t happen:The safety we needed but didn’t feel.The affection that came with strings attached.The comfort we craved but learned to stop expecting.
Here are five common signs I see in people carrying unspoken emotional wounds:
1. Emotional Numbing
They may laugh, show up, and do all the things—but inside, there’s a dullness. Often, this comes from growing up in environments where emotions weren’t welcomed. To survive, many learned to shut down their feelings… and over time, they lost not just sadness, but joy as well.
2. Fear of Vulnerability
Even the most capable people can struggle to ask for help or open up emotionally. Many were taught to “be strong,” which really meant not to show weakness. Even in safe relationships, vulnerability can still feel dangerous.
3. Becoming the Caregiver Too Soon
Some became “the little adult” in their family—taking care of others, never being cared for themselves. As adults, they’re dependable, generous, and always the helper… but underneath, they may feel unseen, tired, and unsure of their worth outside that role.
4. Perfectionism as Protection
When love or safety felt conditional on performance, perfectionism becomes a shield. These people work tirelessly, often fear failure, and struggle with feeling “not enough”—no matter how much they achieve.
5. A Deep Sense of Shame
The most painful belief many carry is, “Something is wrong with me.” This quiet shame doesn’t always come from what happened—but from what a child believed about themselves in the absence of love, safety, or approval.
Here’s the hopeful truth:
Healing is possible.
... and it doesn’t have to take years of reliving the past.
Get Personalized Hypnotherapy Support with Rosemary Powell Start with a FREE 15 min consultation phone call
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