What is Generational Trauma?
“Generational trauma” (also known as “intergenerational trauma” or “inherited trauma”) refers to traumatic effects that are passed from one generation of a family to the next. This phenomenon has been associated with experiences such as:
- Indigenous genocide
- Slavery
- Racism
- The Holocaust
- War
- Famine
- Natural disasters
Trauma can have long-lasting effects on future generations. Some of these effects are external, such as financial hardships or coping mechanisms that families adopt. Ongoing research is exploring the theory that trauma might also be inherited internally. According to this hypothesis, experiencing stress can alter how genes function, and these alterations may be passed on to succeeding generations. While some evidence suggests this occurs, further investigation is needed to confirm and clarify the mechanisms involved.
What is Epigenetics?
Epigenetics is the study of how behaviors and environments can cause changes that affect the way genes function, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). The term “epi-” in Greek means “on top of,” so epigenetics looks at what happens “above” the genes.
Your DNA contains instructions for cell creation, which are read and executed through a process known as “gene expression.” This process may vary based on several factors, including age, overall genetic composition, and exposure to environmental toxins.
Epigenetics focuses on how life experiences, particularly traumatic ones, can impact gene expression. It also explores whether these changes can be passed down through generations, often through the “on” or “off” status of certain genes.
Epigenetics and Trauma
Epigenetic specialists suggest that traumatic experiences can leave behind microscopic chemical markers that attach to genes and alter their function. These markers may then be passed down to future generations.
Although the full epigenetic picture of generational trauma is not yet understood, researchers have found evidence of trauma’s intrinsic effects on subsequent generations. For instance, after experiencing extreme trauma, individuals may produce more stress hormones as a survival mechanism. A 2015 study of Holocaust survivors’ children showed that increased stress hormone levels may be passed on to descendants, even if they did not directly experience the trauma.
In another study, the offspring of Civil War soldiers who survived Confederate prisoner-of-war camps were more likely to have shorter lifespans than the children of soldiers who were not captured or were held in better conditions. Additionally, a study found that children whose mothers survived the Tutsi genocide while pregnant were more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than those whose mothers had not experienced the genocide.
Trauma-Related Mental Illnesses
Trauma can cause or exacerbate a variety of mental health disorders, including:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Addiction
- Dissociation
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Generational Trauma and Mental Health
It is well understood that our own traumatic experiences can impact our mental health. Epigenetic studies suggest that trauma from previous generations may also contribute to mental health issues, such as:
- Sleep disturbances
- Emotional dysregulation
- Substance abuse
- Hypervigilance or hyperarousal
- Dissociation
Does Generational Trauma Always Result in Mental Illness?
Research on generational trauma is still in its early stages, so much remains unknown. However, it is clear that a family history of trauma does not guarantee the development of mental illness. Mental illness is better understood as the result of “risk factors,” which can include generational trauma, stressful life events, substance abuse, and a history of neglect or abuse.
Therapy for Generational Trauma
If you or a loved one is struggling with generational trauma, therapy can significantly improve mental health and quality of life. Trauma-informed therapies include:
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): A therapy used to help people with symptoms and emotions caused by trauma.
- Somatic Therapy: A therapy that connects the mind and body through physical techniques to help relieve trauma symptoms.
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT): A therapy that helps individuals stuck in negative thought patterns related to traumatic experiences.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): A form of talk therapy that helps people change negative thought patterns and behaviors.
