Understanding Intergenerational Trauma
Trauma isn't just an individual battle, it can ripple through generations, shaping families in many different ways. And although there is growing understanding, research and evidence in this area, it is not always talked about in depth. As a trauma specialist I see clients from a variety of backgrounds but one thing that I am particularly interested in is the impact that there can be to those born into trauma.
What is intergenerational Trauma?
Intergenerational trauma is when trauma is passed down from one generation to the next. This isn't just about inherited traits but also the emotional and psychological scars passed down through family dynamics and behaviors. People experiencing intergenerational trauma may actually feel the psychological impacts of trauma that previous family generations did. Research suggests that trauma can alter a persons DNA and how genes function. This can then potentially impact future generations.
How does intergenerational trauma happen?
When a person experiences trauma, the effects can be profound , altering the individual’s behaviour, stress responses, and even worldview. These changes don't happen in isolation. Children grow up observing and internalising their parents' coping mechanisms, anxieties, and sometimes, unresolved pain. Imagine a grandparent who survived a war and how that may influence how they raise their children, who in turn, unconsciously pass down those learned responses.
Some ways in which intergenerational trauma may happen are:
1. Behavioural patterns: Individuals who have been born to parents who experienced trauma, may find that they repeat the patterns of their parents. For example, if they grew up witnessing domestic violence they may find this behaviour normalised and therefore may find they repeat cycles of abuse.
2. Emotional Responses: If you grow up with a caregiver who has heightened anxiety, depression, or PTSD-like symptoms without direct exposure to trauma, then you may be more likely to experience hypervigilance yourself. For example, if your mother has an heightened perception of danger then you may inherit the belief that the world is an unsafe place and may experience anxiety and PTSD symptoms yourself.
3. Parenting Styles: If your caregiver is overprotective or the opposite and is detached, this can have an impact on your experience of the world. For example, if your parent grew up in an abusive or neglectful home, they may struggle to show affection and may be avoidant in their attachment style. This can lead to the experience of the child being one of neglect on an emotional level. They may feel unloved and struggle to form relationships as an adult.
4. Epigenetics: Trauma can leave a chemical mark on genes - the mark doesn’t damage the gene or cause genetic mutations but it does alter the way the gene functions - it is not genetic but epigenetic. So trauma can biologically change us.
What is epigenetics?
Epigenetics is the study of the effects that environment and behaviour have on our genes. Yehuda et al (2016) studied holocaust survivors and their children and found that exposure to trauma caused epigenetic changes in their children. She said of her research ‘The implications are that what happens to our parents, or perhaps even to our grandparents or previous generations, may help shape who we are on a fundamental molecular level that contributes to our behaviours, beliefs, strengths and vulnerabilities.’
How can you break the cycle of intergenerational trauma?
Healing from intergenerational trauma starts with awareness. Recognising that some struggles may be inherited can be empowering. Therapy, particularly approaches like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing), can be instrumental in addressing these deep-seated issues. Systemic therapy can also help unpack and understand these patterns.
The pattern of intergenerational trauma can be broken - at Talking Trauma, we believe in empowering individuals to confront and process their past in order to move towards the future they desire and deserve.
Healing is not just about the individual but about breaking the cycle of trauma for future generations to come. EMDR is a powerful therapy when working with clients who have experienced intergenerational trauma. It allows us to work with clients at depth to explore the past with the intention to change the future. I often work using attachment informed EMDR to hep clients process their early life experiences as well as their family members.
Intergenerational trauma doesn’t need to feel helpless, because as a trauma survivor you have the chance to break the cycle. As a trauma survivor you have the chance to make change for your family and their future.
Next Steps
If you would like to know more about treatment for intergenerational trauma then book an initial consult today. This is a free 15 minute consultation to learn more about treatment and how it may help you. Let's embark on a journey of healing, together.