Do you suspect that you may have experienced developmental trauma while growing up? Unfortunately, it’s more common than some would expect. Development trauma occurs when children deal with repeated experiences that overwhelm their nervous system’s ability to cope with stressors. This can look like emotional or physical abuse and neglect, or it can stem from not having enough support to move through a stressor in a healthy way. If you’re wondering whether you may have experienced developmental trauma, here are 9 signs and symptoms that you may identify with if you have. 

1. You may experience seemingly random symptoms of illness that don’t easily fit into any specific diagnostic category. Maybe you spent a lot of time in the doctor’s office, trying to figure out what is wrong, but are never able to get a concrete answer. 

2. You may have complex, unexplainable combinations of responses that present as multiple syndromes. For example, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or even  Lupus. 

3. You may have paradoxical responses to medications and treatments or side effects may occur at subclinical doses. 

4. You may have extreme sensitivity to light, sound, tactile sensations, and/or smells. In the same vein, you may have been diagnosed as a Highly Sensitive Person at some point in your life. 

5. You may have difficulty tracking your own internal experience or feel terror at the thought of connecting to your body. 

6. You may have a very strong physical reaction to minimal stimuli. 

7. It may feel like your symptoms have been imagined, because no matter what doctor you go to, there never seems to be a discoverable underlying cause. 

8. Your pain may suddenly escalate with little to no warning. 

9. You may experience a delayed response to interventions. Maybe you initially tolerated something well and then experienced a worsening of symptoms later. 

If you identify with these symptoms, then you may have experienced developmental trauma. However, just as these symptoms develop over time, healing will also happen over time. When you become aware of what’s happening, take personal responsibility for supporting yourself, and put in consistent effort towards regulating your nervous system, amazing shifts can occur! It’s also important to note that although you may feel as though your symptoms or pain exist only in your head, this is not necessarily true. Developmental trauma does, in fact, affect immune system function and can make you more susceptible to physical illness. I encourage you to seek a holistic approach to addressing these symptoms in the future. 

In order to overcome childhood trauma, it is important that you commit to regulating your nervous system. If you’re unsure where to begin, don’t let that stop you. I’ve just recently launched a program for people like you (and me!) called The Nervous System Reset. In it, you will work closely with me over the course of 9 weeks to understand your physiology and inherit tools that will help you become emotionally & physically resilient. Learn more about The Nervous System Reset here. And if you would like to stay in touch, be sure to follow me on Instagram and Pinterest.