Nonverbal Trauma Memories: What You Need to Understand
(Summary) Nonverbal trauma memories are a common but often unrecognized feature of complex trauma, Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), and Other Specified Dissociative Disorder (OSDD). Unlike single-event trauma, these triggers rarely connect to one specific memory; instead, they reflect repeated experiences over time. Trying to tie a nonverbal trigger to a single event can actually increase distress, while focusing on the symptoms themselves often reduces their intensity and makes them more manageable.
In a recent video, I talked about commonly unrecognized trauma memories. These are often memories that are stored in a nonverbal way, and which act as triggers to us in the present. I talked about what we can learn about our traumas from these nonverbal messages in the other video. Today, I want to address two important points about these nonverbal trauma memories.
The first is this: is unlikely that one of these triggering nonverbal memories can be linked one on one a particular traumatic event. Instead, it’s likely that these memories are the result of repeated experiences when we’re talking about complex trauma like we are. In a single event trauma, this would be different, and it could be possible to make a one to one connection. A complex trauma involves many, many experiences of similar events and it becomes difficult to connect a particular instance of trauma with a nonverbal trauma memory.
The second point is this: attempting to tie a nonverbal memory or trigger to a particular memory is like is likely to cause you to become even more triggered. This is because you are focusing on specific and distressing events. Focusing on the symptoms minimizes their intensity. This is not to say they won’t be intense, but rather they will not be as intense as if you are focusing on a specific traumatic event. In the next video in this series, going to walk you through how to start identifying underlying causes to your triggers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are nonverbal trauma memories?
Nonverbal trauma memories are fragments of traumatic experience that are stored in ways other than words. They may appear as body sensations, emotions, images, or urges. These memories often act as triggers in the present without giving you a clear story of “what happened,” which can make them confusing and distressing.
How are nonverbal memories different from regular trauma memories?
Unlike verbal memories, which have a narrative or sequence of events, nonverbal trauma memories are stored without words or context. They are often the result of trauma that happened before language developed or during overwhelming situations when the brain could not process the experience fully. As a result, they surface as feelings or sensations rather than clear memories.
Why can’t nonverbal trauma memories be tied to one event?
In complex trauma, many similar events often occur over time. Nonverbal memories usually reflect repeated patterns of trauma rather than a single incident. Trying to tie a nonverbal memory to one specific event can lead to confusion and may increase distress because it forces focus on details the brain may not be ready to process.
How can I work with nonverbal trauma triggers safely?
The safest way is to focus on managing the symptoms—like grounding, calming, and recognizing that the feelings are connected to past trauma—rather than forcing yourself to remember a specific event. This approach reduces intensity and avoids overwhelming the system. Working with a trauma-informed therapist can provide extra support and safety when dealing with nonverbal trauma memories.