Michaela Dunbar, psychologist: “I thought they were normal things, but they are responses to trauma.”

Some everyday behaviors that many people consider normal can actually hide a response to unresolved emotional trauma. Michaela Dunbar , the psychologist specializing in trauma and emotional well-being behind the brand My Easy Therapy , has shared several examples on her Instagram account, especially among those who grew up trying to be "good girls" and now carry constant anxiety hidden behind a smile and a list of accomplishments.

The professional explains that reactions such as over-explaining everything, feeling guilty about resting, or having difficulty asking for help are not simply personality traits, but rather consequences of having internalized that one is only valuable when one is useful, submissive, or accommodating . These dynamics often arise in family or social contexts where expressing emotions or needs was interpreted as a nuisance , producing adults who today suffer in silence for fear of causing discomfort.

Behaviors associated with traumatic experiences

According to this psychologist, other behaviors such as laughing at one's own pain, dissociating from stress, or being constantly busy can also be defense mechanisms. Rest, for example, can be experienced as a threat when one hasn't learned to be calm without feeling guilty. Likewise, difficulty accepting compliments or feeling that one's discomfort "isn't enough" to be meaningful can reflect emotional deficiencies rooted in childhood, especially in women.

This post is a "shout out to all the women who were the 'good girls' growing up, keeping the peace, and have mastered the art of hiding their constant anxiety , overthinking, self-doubt, and worry behind a mask of accomplishment and a smile," the expert summarizes. In these cases, the smile or professional performance are not signs of well-being, but rather ways of concealing a deep emotional wound that was never addressed .

Professionals insist that each person needs an individualized approach to identify the roots of their discomfort and work toward recovery. These manifestations can go unnoticed for years, misinterpreted as signs of one's own personality, if one doesn't have an environment that recognizes their origin. Therefore, consulting a specialized psychologist is essential to transforming patterns that limit one's quality of life and restoring a healthy relationship with oneself.