How Trauma Passes Through Generations — And How to Stop the Cycle

Traumatic incidents can be highly distressing for an individual and might also shake their entire being! This blog aims to capture the essence of how trauma passes through generations and how the cycle can be stopped for a better future. Some hypothetical examples and cases have been used to explain the concept whilst being sensitive about the topic. The reader is advised to pause wherever it gets distressing and, if needed, seek professional mental health support.  

If you want to create a better future for your kids, then reflecting upon your patterns and behaviour can be helpful. Our kids not just inherit the physical features but also a lot of internal psychological attributes. If trauma passes from one generation to the next, then it can influence the child’s way of living.  

What Is Generational Trauma? 

When the effects of trauma are passed down from one generation to the next, then that is called generational trauma. Even if the traumatic experiences are not directly experienced by the current generation, the impact can be felt due to inherited trauma experiences. Inherited trauma examples can be observed in the descendants of war survivors, abused families, displaced populations and genocide survivors.  

Know more : Link Between Trauma and Addiction

Generational Trauma vs Intergenerational Trauma 

Intergenerational trauma and generational trauma are often discussed while exploring how trauma passes through generations. Many individuals may often use these terms interchangeably. The distinction between these two terms can be understood as that while generational trauma might extend across multiple generations, such as children, parents and grandparents, the intergenerational trauma usually refers to inherited trauma examples from parents to children. 

Thus, generational trauma vs intergenerational trauma are extremely closely related terms and may also be used interchangeably.  

Can Trauma Be Passed Down Through Generations? 

There are a lot of studies exploring the topic of ‘how is trauma passed down through generations’. Research supports the possibility of this happening. Parental exposure to traumatic events can influence fetal development. Kids might also show anxiety without any direct traumatic experience. Insecurity related to attachment can also be passed through generations from a relational lens.  

How Is Trauma Passed Down Through Generations? 

Trauma passes through generations and can impact the child’s life in several ways. Three specific ways explaining how trauma passes from one generation to the next are explained below.  

1. Behavioral Transmission 

- Children can copy parents’ maladaptive coping mechanisms 

- Parental hypervigilance can influence a child’s behaviour  

- Avoidance patterns can be learnt through observation 

1. Environmental & Family Dynamics 

- A chronic stress environment can be harmful to children 

- A dysfunctional family environment can make the child feel uneasy 

- Traumatic incidents may lead to trust issues and detachment  

C. Biological & Epigenetic Changes 

- While the DNA sequence may not change, the gene expression can be altered due to traumatic experiences  

- Changes in cortisol levels can be observed, leading to stress and emotional challenges 

- The biological influence can also increase an individual’s vulnerability to PTSD  

Inherited Trauma Examples 

Some of the examples that might be prone towards generational trauma are mentioned below:  

1. Holocaust survivors’ descendants can depict an altered stress response   
2. Kids of war veterans may show symptoms of anxiety disorders  
3. Fear might be experienced as a consequence of natural disasters  
4. Families with domestic violence might also repeat these patterns 
5. Scarcity mindset can be transmitted by families impacted by famine  

It is essential to be mindful that these are generic points and do not indicate that individuals belonging to any particular family or community would necessarily experience traumatic incidents.  

Signs You May Be Experiencing Inherited Trauma 

There can be several signs that your body might be giving as an indication of stored or passed down trauma. It is essential to be reflective and observe your body carefully so as to reach professional support promptly. Self-diagnosis should be avoided, and efforts should be made to get a proper assessment and evaluation done. Some possible signs of inherited trauma can be:  

1. Extreme anxiety with no particular cause  
2. Irrational fears related to family history  
3. Feeling extremely alert in daily life  
4. Heightened sensitivity to stressful situations  
5. Feeling unsafe even in a secure environment  

How to Stop the Cycle of Generational Trauma 

If one person starts to work on their emotional well-being, it can be a powerful step towards breaking the cycle of generational trauma. Some of the ways to do that include:  

1. Becoming aware of one’s family history  
2. Seeking psychotherapy sessions  
3. Trauma-focused therapy such as EMDR 
4. Identifying maladaptive patterns  
5. Building a safe environment for oneself  

Conclusion 

You deserve to find the right treatment support and break the generational trauma cycle for a healthier future. Athena Luxus is one of the best mental health facilities in Delhi NCR for seeking mental health care. We offer trauma-focused and evidence-based support to help you cope with concerns such as PTSD and complex trauma history.  

You can call us at 9718921212 and book a consultation with one of our team members to better understand the treatment journey!