Understanding Generational Trauma and Its Impact on Mental Health

While experts haven't entirely cracked the code on the causes of mental disorders, they are in agreement that one of the major risk factors for developing mental health conditions is genetics. We inherit more than just hair color, skin tone, and height from our parents; we can also inherit unresolved historical trauma, substance abuse, anxiety, depression, and other forms of psychological distress.

What is generational trauma, and how can we protect ourselves and our future generations from the effects of generational trauma? In this article, we'll explore the impact of a traumatic event on past, present, and future generations, as well as how a person can turn things around, even as a childhood trauma survivor.

What Is Generational Trauma?

Generational trauma, also known as intergenerational trauma, refers to the emotional and psychological wounds passed down from one generation to the next. Generational or intergenerational trauma is a type of trauma that can manifest in various ways, including substance misuse, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health issues.

Generational trauma can be caused by historical events, such as war, genocide, oppression, displacement, and other forms of systemic violence. The concept of generational trauma was first introduced by mental health professionals working with Indigenous communities in North America.

Causes of Generational Trauma

Historical oppression or violence against a particular group is a known cause of intergenerational trauma, for example, the trauma that lived on through Holocaust survivors or the effects of slavery and oppression of Black Americans. Cultural dislocation, intergenerational poverty, lack of opportunity, and in utero exposure to toxic stressors can also contribute to generational trauma.

Traumatic events, such as natural disasters, accidents, or abuse, may also lead to generational trauma, but one of the major causes is structural racism and discrimination that perpetuates the cycle of generational trauma.

Signs and Symptoms of Generational Trauma

While it can be easy to understand the answer to the question "what is generational trauma", recognizing the signs of generational trauma can be a bit more challenging. However, understanding the symptoms of generational trauma is crucial for breaking the cycle. Very often family members don't recognize the signs of mental illness, or understand that certain mental health conditions may have their roots in a traumatic event that occurred before they were born.

Some common indicators of generational trauma or intergenerational trauma include hypervigilance, fears of death or no hope for the future, mistrust of outsiders, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, PTSD, low self-esteem, issues of addiction, domestic violence, and sexual abuse.

Generational trauma symptoms can manifest in multiple ways, including developing mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and post traumatic stress disorder. Generational trauma can also lead to physical and mental health problems, social and emotional difficulties, although many people experiencing intergenerational trauma do not make the connection between their psychological distress and trauma.

The Impact of Intergenerational Trauma on Communities

What is generational trauma impact on a larger scale? Intergenerational trauma can affect entire families and communities, leading to a cycle of trauma that continues unless addressed. As mentioned before, historical trauma, such as the Holocaust, can have a lasting impact on subsequent generations.

Indigenous communities have experienced generational trauma from the loss of culture, land, and population. Black Americans have experienced generational trauma due to chronic stress and nutritional deficiencies during slavery.

How Generational Trauma Can Affect Mental Health

While experts are not positive about why a traumatic event echoes through the generations, some research suggests that adverse childhood experiences such as the poverty attached to trauma, as well as chronic stress and diminished attachment due to that stress, unstable living environments, and compromised parenting can impact children's development, as well as physical and mental health.

In addition, the behaviors exhibited by the parent or other family members, as in the case of substance abuse or untreated mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety, are modeled, and these maladaptive coping mechanisms may be picked up by impressionable children.

Healing and Recovery from Generational Trauma

The good news about any kind of generational trauma, intergenerational trauma, or transgenerational trauma, is that in the same way a traumatic event can be passed on to subsequent generations, so can mental resilience. Therefore, generational trauma can be turned around by young adults who are dedicated to healing themselves of inherited trauma.

Healing from generational trauma can be a long and complex process that requires professional support. Therapy, particularly evidence-based treatments like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), can help individuals and families address and overcome the effects of generational trauma.

Mental health counseling and mental health services administration can provide support and guidance in working through complex emotions related to intergenerational trauma. Seeking help from a mental health therapist can also help individuals address their past trauma and improve their mental health.

Protecting Mental Health From Intergenerational Trauma in Brooklyn

Generational trauma is a complex issue that requires a comprehensive approach to healing and recovery. Understanding the causes and signs of generational trauma is crucial for breaking the cycle. Seeking professional help and support is essential for individuals and families affected by generational trauma. By working together, we can create a safer and more supportive environment for individuals and families to heal from generational trauma.

At Williamsburg Therapy Group our team of doctoral-level Brooklyn psychotherapists allow you to work with a trained professional that can create a treatment plan, using techniques to process and heal from generational trauma, teaching healthy coping skills, and offering practical support for symptoms of mental illness such as posttraumatic stress disorder.

Don’t hesitate to seek help if you’re struggling with mental health challenges which may be connected to generational trauma. With the right support, it’s possible to treat post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, or any other mental health issue connected with generational trauma. If you have been thinking about seeking help, reach out to our customer service coordinator to get matched with a professional who can offer tools and strategies to manage symptoms, learn to communicate with family members in a healthy way, and reverse the cycle of generational trauma.