Many people do not realize that the problems they are struggling with have their roots in some childhood experience. Dr. Judith Joseph, a psychologist trained at Columbia University, says that such experiences mold the mind in such a way that a person remains aware of danger all the time. The same reactions that saved us in childhood, make life difficult later on.

Dr. Joseph says that trauma is not limited to just ‘fight or flight’. Reactions like phone and freeze are also part of this. There are more than 20 symptoms of PTSD, so many times the disease remains unrecognized.

A study by the University of Georgia shows that childhood stress later starts a whole chain of not only mental but also physical problems. According to, childhood environment and upbringing influence a person’s entire adult life.

According to Dr. Judith, six signs often indicate that old trauma is still active within you. Like getting startled even by the slightest sound, habit of keeping everyone happy, risky activities, being alert all the time, resorting to alcohol to calm down stress and outburst of anger on small things.

The difficulty with PTSD is that its common symptoms are not seen in everyone. This is why it slowly eats away at relationships and everyday life. A 2025 Penn State study found that people with PTSD struggle more to communicate and solve problems with their partners.

Healing begins with recognition. Understanding these signs, accepting the trauma and trying to get to its root is the first step to healing. If a person gets the right help, he can gradually come out of this emotional burden.