Unresolved trauma can have serious and long-lasting effects on physical and mental health. It can cause many physical and mental health problems that can be difficult to manage. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize this until it’s too late.
You may struggle with several health concerns if you have unresolved trauma. Some of the most common health problems that people who have unresolved trauma may struggle with are depression and anxiety, weight gain, stress-related illnesses, and substance abuse.
1. Depression and Anxiety
Depression and anxiety are two of the most common mental health problems that people who have unresolved trauma may experience. People with unresolved trauma often struggle to cope with their emotions and find it difficult to express their feelings. This can make them feel like they’re not being heard and not being taken seriously.
They may also feel as though they’re not good enough or have difficulty trusting others. As a result, they may experience depression and anxiety. This can make it hard for them to function at home, at work, and in social settings.
2. Weight Gain
Many people who have unresolved trauma struggle with weight gain. They may eat more than they should or eat the wrong foods, which can lead to weight gain. As a result of their emotional struggles, people with unresolved trauma may struggle with overeating and weight gain. They may eat to cope with their emotions or to feel better. Eating can become a way of numbing themselves, so they don’t feel the pain of their emotions.
This can lead to weight gain and make it hard for them to lose weight. It can also make it difficult for them to feel good about themselves. Negative feelings about their body can make them feel bad about themselves. They may think they look ugly, fat, or gross, which can lead to depression and anxiety.
3. Stress-Related Illnesses
Some people who have unresolved trauma have a hard time dealing with stress. They may have difficulty relaxing and feel overwhelmed by their emotions, which can lead to stress-related illnesses such as high blood pressure, heart disease, depression, and diabetes. These diseases can be life-threatening problems.
They can cause pain and have a negative impact on their overall health and well-being. Treatment for stress-related diseases is expensive and may take time to work. Therefore, finding ways to manage stress and make healthy lifestyle changes is important.
4. Substance Abuse
People with unresolved trauma may use alcohol or other drugs to cope with their emotions. Drugs are perceived to drugs can help them relax and forget about their problems. However, they may use these substances too often and become dependent on them.
Some people may use alcohol as a way to numb themselves from the pain of their trauma. Others may use drugs to escape from the world or to feel better. They may have a hard time stopping because they don’t feel their emotions and don’t know how to manage them.
They may also be afraid that if they stop using, they won’t be able to cope with life. This can lead to addiction and other substance abuse problems, which can have serious health consequences.