A growing body of research suggests that trauma (like from childhood abuse, family violence, or food insecurity, among many other things) can be passed from one generation to the next. Here's how: Trauma can leave a chemical mark on a person's genes, which can then be passed down to future generations.
How is trauma passed down? Intergenerational trauma is believed to pass from one generation to the next through genetic changes to a person's DNA after they experience trauma. There is some evidence that these genetic markers are passed on to a person's offspring.
The exposure to trauma in early childhood, namely abuse or neglect, has the potential to derail a parent's capacity to attend to their children, especially in moments of distress and has been found to impact their children's attachment style.
As the mother's body is providing the care to the child, any stress the mother experiences (maternal stress) can transfer to the child. If the type of stress is particularly bad, this can cause the child trauma.
You might have difficulties trusting, low self-esteem, fears of being judged, constant attempts to please, outbursts of frustration, or social anxiety symptoms that won't let up. Can childhood trauma be healed?
Young Children and Trauma. Children can experience trauma as early as infancy. In fact, young children between the ages of 0 and 5 are the most vulnerable to the effects of trauma since their brains are still in the early formative years.
Birth trauma is any physical or emotional distress you may experience during or after childbirth. During the birth, you may feel afraid, helpless or unsupported by those around you. After the birth, you may be left feeling guilty or numb due to events beyond your control. You could even suffer from panic attacks.
Signs & Symptoms of Generational Trauma
“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.”
After the birth, it's possible to feel shocked, guilty or numb and even experience panic attacks or anxiety. If you notice any of these symptoms, you may be experiencing birth trauma. If so, you are certainly not alone. It's been estimated that up to 1 in 3 women who give birth may experience birth trauma.
Emotional abuse or neglect. Physical abuse or neglect. Separation from a parent or caregiver. Sexual abuse.
Growing up with toxic parents can affect your physical and mental health, putting you at risk for substance use, low self-esteem, and relationship difficulties. Setting healthy boundaries, prioritizing self-care, and getting support from family, friends, or a therapist are ways to cope with a toxic childhood.
Adults who have experienced childhood trauma usually have heightened levels of anxiety. They may worry excessively and have trouble managing their anxiety. It can lead to persistent feelings of sadness, lack of interest in activities, and difficulty experiencing pleasure.
serious accidents. physical or sexual assault. abuse, including childhood or domestic abuse. exposure to traumatic events at work, including remote exposure.
Most trauma survivors experience triggers which are reminders to their unconscious mind of the past. They may have nightmares that are metaphoric to the danger experienced, or may have flashbacks of images of what happened - often, without fully understanding what it's all about.
Inherited family trauma is when a child is indirectly exposed to the trauma of a parent, who was likely exposed to the trauma of their parent, which leads to a dangerous cycle. The parent could end up placing the child in the same situation without meaning to.
Examples of Generational Trauma
Historical examples of groups affected by generational trauma include Black Americans, Holocaust survivors, and Indigenous communities, among others.
Facial nerve: Facial nerve is the most common cranial nerve-injured with a traumatic birth. It occurs in up to 10 per 1000 live births and is usually a result of pressure on the facial nerve by forceps or from a prominent maternal sacral promontory during descent.
Symptoms of birth trauma (postnatal PTSD)
This can mean refusing to walk past the hospital where you gave birth, or avoiding meeting other women with new babies. Feeling hypervigilant: this means that you are constantly alert, irritable and jumpy. You worry that something terrible is going to happen to your baby.
Studies have also shown a link between a traumatic birth and developmental delay including attention deficit disorder and autism. In fact, it is estimated that at least 80 percent of children who suffer from developmental delay have a history of a difficult birth.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Children and adolescents with PTSD have symptoms such as persistent, frightening thoughts and memories or flashbacks of a traumatic event or events.
A study of young adults found that childhood trauma was significantly correlated with elevated psychological distress, increased sleep disturbances, reduced emotional well-being, and lower perceived social support.