From the outside, your life might look impressive. You earned the degree, built the career, started the business, raised the family, you achieved goals that many people only dream about. Internally though, a different story often plays on repeat.

When most people hear the word "trauma," they picture a single, devastating event like a car accident or violent attack. The clinical world calls this acute trauma, referring to one terrible moment that splits your life into before and after.

Many successful, high-achieving adults carry hidden wounds from their past. Learn the signs of high functioning childhood trauma, how it affects the brain, body, and relationships, and how trauma therapy can help you heal and find balance.

You’ve done the work. You’ve named the trauma. You’ve cried the tears, told the story, made peace with what happened—or so you thought.

Signs that show up in adulthood that you may have experienced childhood trauma and steps for healing

Trauma is often thought of as a singular, catastrophic events—accidents, natural disasters, or assaults. In recent years, complex trauma or complex PTSD has become better well known.