Echoes of the Past: Understanding Intergenerational Trauma

- Brinda,

Intern, Mind Splatters, July - Aug 2023

Have you ever felt like there's an unspoken weight that runs through your family history, shaping your thoughts and emotions in a way you can't explain? Well, that weight might be intergenerational trauma, a concept that reveals how the past can cast a shadow on our present and future. Let's take a dive into this intriguing phenomenon and discover how it influences our lives.

Intergenerational trauma is like a bridge that connects us to our elders’ pain and experiences. It originates from historical events like parental incarceration, racism, sexism, alcohol use disorder, domestic violence, divorce, and displacement, etc. that have scarred entire communities. The interesting thing is that these scars don't fade away with time; they linger, subtly affecting not only those who lived through the events but also their descendants. There are various ways through which parents can pass down their symptoms to their children.

The following symptoms experienced by parents may impact their children:

• Parents may relive traumatic events, become emotionally detached and numb, or even experience dissociative episodes in which they become detached from reality.

• Parents affected by trauma may be able to respond less optimally during usual developmental crises and as a result, are unable to help their child comprehend the world in a healthy manner.

• Parents suffering from PTSD may also have difficulty modeling a healthy sense of independence, appropriate self-soothing mechanisms and emotional regulation, and maintaining a balanced perspective when life challenges arise.

• Parents may model catastrophic or inappropriately numbed and emotionally disconnected responses.

Symptoms of intergenerational trauma may be mistaken for other disorders and include denial, depersonalization, isolation, memory loss, nightmares, psychic numbing, hypervigilance, substance abuse, identification with death, and unresolved grief. Other common symptoms of intergenerational trauma may include but are not limited to:

• Lack of trust of others

• Anger

• Irritability

• Nightmares

• Fearfulness

• Inability to connect with others

Now, you might be thinking, is there a way to escape this cycle? Absolutely. Education and awareness act as a powerful antidote. By acknowledging the trauma that lingers in the background, we can begin to mend and pave the way for healing. Creating spaces where conversations can flow freely is like opening a door to fresh air. It allows us to collectively process, learn, and grow. Sadly, many families “cope” with intergenerational trauma by employing two unhealthy coping mechanisms:

• Denial – refusing to acknowledge the trauma happened

• Minimization – ignoring the impact of the trauma and making the traumatic experience appear smaller than it really is

The ways in which family members “cope” with intergenerational trauma can set the precedence for younger generations. For example, a grandparent who refuses to examine the impact of their trauma may be teaching her grandchildren (intentionally or unintentionally) to ignore the impact of their trauma. Sooner or later the trauma is likely to be triggered by something. Trauma is not something you can hide from, no matter how hard you try.

Intergenerational trauma took generations to form, so no one should expect to reverse this trend immediately. Though the road is difficult, there are practical steps you can use to heal from intergenerational trauma:

• Talk about it: Secrets, lies, and deception are central to intergenerational trauma. To begin healing, people need to know the extent of past issues.

• Discuss the impact: Once the secrets are shared, people can begin to see the impact of the trauma. Anger, sadness, anxiety, and substance use could all stem from trauma.

• Team Work: With intergenerational trauma, it is challenging to know who is a victim and who is a perpetrator. Rather than pointing fingers, work as one unit with the goal of improving the family now and for future generations.

• Let go of past mistakes: Whatever thoughts, feelings, and behaviors were born from trauma must be ended. The family needs to find ways to stop adding new trauma by changing their habits.

• Try professionals: Trauma is always impactful, but intergenerational trauma takes a heavy toll that requires professional treatment to resolve.

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In essence, intergenerational trauma is an exploration of our shared history, a journey that ties us to our past, present, and future. As we untangle its complex threads, we begin to understand ourselves better and connect with one another on a deeper level. It is a reminder that we are not alone on this journey – we are all navigating the currents of time together.

So, keep asking questions, keep seeking understanding, and keep sharing your story. By doing so, you contribute to the ongoing narrative of healing, growth, and empowerment.