Top psychologist explains why hidden trauma is dangerous

Mental trauma is not always visible, but its repercussions keep making ripples in your life. Just like a physical wound needs to be cured for you to feel better, mental traumas also need healing. But often we end up sweeping these mental traumas under the carpet, and they later pop up in the most unimaginable ways. Dr. Julie Smith, a UK-based clinical psychologist, describes hidden trauma as ‘a wound you carry within.’

Hidden trauma is a red flag

Keeping the mental trauma hidden or not addressing it is the worst thing you can do for yourself. “If you or someone you love has ever experienced trauma, I want you to imagine for a moment that you have this wound and the pain is unbearable. So the most natural response is to keep it covered, hide it away. But inevitably, people brush past that wound, and they have no idea of the pain it causes,” Dr. Smith explains.

“In Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) we often use the analogy of a burn or wound to help us understand how past trauma can increase sensitivity years later. When a wound is psychological, the people around us often have no idea that they have touched on old wounds. So they can feel confused, fearful, or angry when they witness the intense emotional reaction that appears to come out of nowhere,” she adds.

These hidden traumas later appear as intense emotional responses, and they may come across as overreactions. To try to fit in and feel normal, people numb these reactions, often with drugs, alcohol, or by keeping themselves occupied.

So, what happens if you hide trauma? Dr. Smith stresses that hiding the trauma may feel like it's okay for the moment, but the unhealed wound will only get worse.

How to heal from a hidden trauma

“If we have no idea how to heal those old wounds, it is understandable that we get to work hiding them or trying to numb the pain that they can trigger. And there are plenty of things that do just that. But none of them come without a cost. The price we pay is often in our relationships, mental and physical health, and ability to be at peace when all is still and silent,” she says.


So, how do you heal? According to the psychologist, part of healing is to recognize how that sensitivity and the intense emotions that come with it are not a fault in your personality. “They're a reaction to that past trauma. And healing happens best when we're safe to open things up and take a look at what we're dealing with,” she adds in a video shared on Instagram.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you or someone you know is struggling with trauma or mental health challenges, seek support from a licensed mental health professional.