Updated 10/16/23

Keep reading to learn more, as we answer the question: what is intergenerational trauma and look at signs and symptoms, causes, examples, and coping mechanisms you can use to heal from this type of historical trauma.

What Is Generational Trauma?

Generational trauma, also known as intergenerational trauma, refers to the passing down of traumatic experiences or stressors from one generation to another. This specifictype of traumaoften happens as a result of direct personal experiences, witnessing acts of violence, or residing in environments where the threat of violence is ever-present. Such trauma can manifest in various ways, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

“Generational trauma is the harmful effects of historical mistreatment or abuse. The symptoms of these traumas are passed down from generation to generation.”

This form of psychological trauma can lead to physical and mental health problems as well as social and emotional difficulties. For example, children who grow up in homes with domestic violence and experience childhood trauma may develop anxiety or depression as adults. They may also have trouble trusting people or forming intimate relationships — this cycle of unresolved trauma can affect multiple generations to come.

Generational trauma can be passed down through DNA from family member to family member. Some people may be predisposed to it, but it’s important to remember that not everyone who experiences intergenerational trauma has symptoms related to their experience. It’s a complex trauma, and there are many factors at play regarding this inherited trauma, including resilience, support systems, and resource access.

Signs & Symptoms of Generational TraumaGenerational trauma can occur when a group is subject to a traumatic experience like war, natural disasters, racism, sexism, or oppression. The effects of the trauma can be passed down to subsequent generations through both genetic and cultural transmission.“The symptoms of generational trauma include hypervigilance, fears of death or no hope for the future, mistrust of outsiders, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), low self-esteem, issues of addiction, domestic violence, and sexual abuse.”–Talkspace therapistReshawna Chapple, Ph.D., LCSWThere are many signs of generational trauma, including:AnxietyDepressionChronic painSubstance abuse disordersEating disordersPost-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD)InsomniaLow self-esteemFear of deathIrritabilityAnger issuesDifficulty trusting others

Signs & Symptoms of Generational Trauma

Generational trauma can occur when a group is subject to a traumatic experience like war, natural disasters, racism, sexism, or oppression. The effects of the trauma can be passed down to subsequent generations through both genetic and cultural transmission.

“The symptoms of generational trauma include hypervigilance, fears of death or no hope for the future, mistrust of outsiders, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), low self-esteem, issues of addiction, domestic violence, and sexual abuse.”

There are many signs of generational trauma, including:

What Causes Generational Trauma?

War, natural disasters, genocide, and slavery can all cause generational trauma. When these traumatic experiences are passed down from generation to generation, they affect how people think, feel, and behave. Many factors can contribute to generational trauma.

Oppression

Historical oppression or violence against a particular group is a known cause of intergenerational trauma. African American people who were enslaved may experience generational trauma because of the brutal conditions past generations were forced to live in and the constant fear of being separated from their families.

Cultural dislocation

Another factor is cultural dislocation, which happens when someone’s forced to leave their homeland due to conflict or persecution. This can lead to feelings of loss and isolation that can be passed down through multiple generations.

Intergenerational poverty

Lack of opportunity

A general lack of opportunity can create feelings of hopelessness that are passed down to future generations.

In utero exposure

Someresearch suggeststhat exposure to toxic stressors in utero might result in changes in brain structure and function and cause developmental delays. The long-term effects might impact learning ability and emotional regulation, which can impact later generations.

Other effects

Examples of Generational TraumaThere are countless examples of how generational trauma can occur. Some common examples of generational trauma include the following:War: Children who grow up in an environment of conflict may be more likely to experience PTSD than those who don’t. This could lead to passing on symptoms to their children.Natural disasters: Survivors of a major national disaster — like an earthquake, major tornado, or tsunami — may suffer from long-term mental health problems like anxiety and depression. If they have children, it might be difficult to bond or provide adequate care because of their psychological distress. As a result, their kids may also struggle with similar symptoms later in life..Racism: Systemic racism can create an intergenerational cycle of poverty and violence that traumatizes individuals and entire communities. For example, people living in neighborhoods with high crime levels aremore likely to developtypes of depressionand PTSD than those living in safer areas. This increased risk could be passed down through generations if not addressed.Generational trauma doesn’t just affect individuals — as we can see, it can have lasting consequences for whole families and communities for generations to come.

Examples of Generational Trauma

There are countless examples of how generational trauma can occur. Some common examples of generational trauma include the following:

Generational trauma doesn’t just affect individuals — as we can see, it can have lasting consequences for whole families and communities for generations to come.

How to Heal Generational Trauma

As noted earlier, itispossible to heal from generational trauma. The following tips show you how.

Coping mechanisms for generational trauma

Any population that’s experienced collective trauma has a risk for multigenerational trauma. However, several coping mechanisms can help. Some strategies include:

Professional treatment for generational trauma

Though some people may not be aware of the term “generational trauma,” it’s a reality for many. Generational trauma can be best defined as psychological and emotional wounds that have accumulated over time and transferred to future generations.

Trauma symptoms can manifest in multiple ways, including:

It’s common for intergenerational trauma to go untreated. This might be attributed to people not even realizing that what they’re going through is a result of past unhealed trauma that’s been passed down through the generations.

Taking steps to address your mental health is integral to taking care of yourself and working towards healing the wounds of the past. Most importantly, it’s instrumental in breaking the cycle so you don’t continue the pattern of passing down trauma to the next generation.

Work Towards Healing Generational Trauma with TalkspaceIf you’re struggling, first, know that you’re not alone. Then, remember that helpisavailable. Many people have survived and broken the generational trauma cycle.While it may seem daunting, there are effective steps you can take. Coping mechanisms such as trauma therapy services,journaling for mental health, and spending time in nature can help you work through your emotions and start to rebuild your life. With time and effort, you can heal from generational trauma.Talkspace can connect you to a skilled, qualified therapist to get started with mental health services. So don’t suffer in silence — get the help you need to heal and move forward.

Work Towards Healing Generational Trauma with Talkspace

If you’re struggling, first, know that you’re not alone. Then, remember that helpisavailable. Many people have survived and broken the generational trauma cycle.

While it may seem daunting, there are effective steps you can take. Coping mechanisms such as trauma therapy services,journaling for mental health, and spending time in nature can help you work through your emotions and start to rebuild your life. With time and effort, you can heal from generational trauma.

Talkspace can connect you to a skilled, qualified therapist to get started with mental health services. So don’t suffer in silence — get the help you need to heal and move forward.

Sources:

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