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When people think of trauma, they often assume it has something to do with war, a form of abuse, violence, or a terrible accident. However, trauma can affect people in more subtle ways. You, personally, do not have to undergo a trauma to feel the effects of trauma.
Maybe you want to learn more about various trauma in order to protect your happy family or maybe you are considering recovery and help.
Learning about trauma and its symptoms can help you find healing and help you assist those who need it most. Discover more about intergenerational trauma, who it affects, and how healing intergenerational trauma is possible!
Defining Intergenerational Trauma and Who Has It
Intergenerational trauma, also known as transgenerational or multigenerational trauma, is a trauma that is experienced through other generations. Like other traumas, transgenerational trauma is defined by a terrible event or life-changing circumstance.
A trauma often ignites the “flight or fight response” of a person, and transgenerational trauma is no different. In other words, traumatic events typically cause people to fear for their life or stability. This generational trauma begins with a person or family experiencing a traumatic event.
Those that live with intergenerational trauma are descendants and family members of the one who first experienced the trauma.
For example, consider a young girl that faced race-related trauma. She may grow up with symptoms of this trauma and inadvertently pass similar symptoms to her descendants.
Another typical example is the case of child abuse. If a young child goes through physical abuse, their parenting skills may be influenced and affected by this as they grow older.
How Does Intergenerational Trauma Impact Others?
Intergenerational trauma begins with one individual or family experiencing a terrible event. They may pass down similar traits of their trauma for many reasons.
According to Duke University, many victims of transgenerational trauma cope with their trauma by denying it ever happened or belittling the effects of the trauma.
Intergenerational trauma impacts others by influencing their ability to handle trauma and cope with various situations. Someone who experienced poverty as a child may teach their children and grandchildren to distrust strangers, steal, hide their emotions, and possibly introduce substance abuse.
When one person does not heal from trauma, they could affect the way their descendants live their lives and raise their own children.
Until someone seeks recovery and attempts to break the cycle, intergenerational trauma can continue for many generations.
Signs and Symptoms of Intergenerational Trauma
The symptoms of multigenerational trauma vary based on the person and their experience. However, many people share common symptoms.
Some signs of this trauma could include avoiding emotional reactions, insomnia, fitful sleep, distrust of others, social withdrawal, overprotectiveness, depression, anxiety, etc.
Those living with intergenerational trauma often use avoidant tactics when it comes to their emotions and the effects of the trauma. Many people may not realize they have experienced intergenerational trauma because it is all they’ve known.
Finding Recovery From Intergenerational Trauma
Simply because you, your parents, grandparents, and grandparents have felt the effects of a life-changing traumatic event does not mean that you can not receive care. Like other traumas, multigenerational trauma can be treated with therapy.
Many therapists are trained and educated to assist those who have undergone some form of trauma, even if they did not experience it firsthand.
With help from a therapist or other qualified mental health professional, you can address the symptoms of your trauma and work towards healing.
You and your family can learn how to break the cycle and implement better life habits. Working towards recovery can heal you and future generations.
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Sorry, but your use of the word intergenerational is wrong. For symptomatic transmission, the correct word is “transgenerational”, Intergenerational is used for “positive” history transmission between generation. Read some reference book first, please.