Generational Trauma
Meg Fink
What is generational trauma?
Generational trauma is a form of trauma that is passed down from one generation to the next emotionally or biologically. Within families, traumas are often shared or passed down because of the closeness and intertwined lives of family members. These traumas may arise from highly stressful family dynamics or painful events in previous generations, such as war, displacement, abuse, oppression, or neglect. Traumatic events like these often lead to unhealthy relationship dynamics that contribute to a cycle of further trauma and instability in future generations. Generational trauma can be transmitted genetically and biologically (by altering how genes are expressed or influencing stress hormones) as well as psychologically (by affecting how parents raise their children and the way community narratives are passed down).
Generational trauma shows up in all types of families and individuals. However, certain groups may experience this type of trauma more commonly than others. Marginalized communities, such as families with racially minoritized members, LGBTQIA+ individuals, refugees, or indigenous groups, are some of the most vulnerable. Additionally, families with histories of abuse, addiction, incarceration, or loss suffer disproportionately from generational trauma. These traumatic and stress-inducing events create a ripple effect that results in the trauma being carried down through generations. Addiction issues can be passed down genetically, resulting in individuals in younger generations being predisposed to engage in addictive behaviors. Generational trauma can also be caused by experiences in childhood environments. For instance, individuals with a history of being abused may in turn abuse their own children as a learned form of discipline. Similarly, if a parent struggles with binge-eating disorder it is common for their children to also turn to binge-eating as a maladaptive coping mechanism.
What are the effects of generational trauma?
Generational trauma causes harm to individuals and the families involved. It can have serious impacts on mental health and result in PTSD, anxiety, depression, and issues with emotional regulation. This type of trauma can contribute to chronic physical health conditions such as chronic pain, sleep issues and stress-induced illness. Furthermore, generational trauma often leads to further dysfunction in relationships, as it fosters distrust, attachment issues, poor communication, and unhealthy or reactive emotional responses. These issues perpetuate the cycle of generational trauma and make it very difficult to break out of. Due to the close-knit nature of families, these traumas are often shared and experienced throughout a family tree.
How can you heal from generational trauma?
While generational trauma is often based in a deep-rooted cycle, it is possible to break the pattern. Often the first step in treating this type of trauma is to recognize and acknowledge that a pattern exists. From there, engaging in individual or family-oriented therapy can allow open conversations and help to create new healthy relationship dynamics. Individual therapy can help individuals identify unhealthy coping mechanisms, engage in self-care, and understand their role in a family, while family therapy can help to establish stronger interpersonal relationships and address toxic patterns.