What’s more, the signs and symptoms of trauma can also vary widely from person to person and family to family. It’s not always easy to recognize intergenerational trauma, since many of the signs also characterize mental health conditions like depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). But what is the history of your parents, grandparents, and relatives’ people, within the United States or abroad? Did they experience discrimination or abuse on a larger scale that impeded their well-being?” “You might not be someone who considers yourself a victim of trauma. “Historical context is everything,” she says.

Torres, who specializes in working with first-generation individuals to address intergenerational trauma through the use of relational and somatic therapy, goes on to say that traumatization can stem from abuse or neglect both in and out of the home. Research suggests that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), typically defined as abuse, neglect, and parental mental health conditions, can have a profound effect on emotional, mental, and physical health, explains Giovanna Torres, MSW, LSWAIC, a therapist in the Seattle area. But if your parents or grandparents experienced any adverse events, especially throughout childhood, the aftereffects may linger within the family dynamic. This list doesn’t include all potential causes of trauma. long-term financial hardship or poverty.systemic racism, discrimination, or oppression.the death, incarceration, or other loss of a parent.experiencing or witnessing verbal and physical violence, sexual abuse, or emotional neglect.genocide and ethnic cleansing, including the Holocaust, the Holodomor, and the Cambodian genocide.global or national crises, like the Great Depression.

indoctrination into a cult or abusive and controlling religious organization.separation of children from family members, including forced attendance at Indian residential schools and the more recent separation of children and parents at the United States-Mexico border.forced migration, including the recently forced displacement of millions in Syria, Myanmar, and Ethiopia.cultural genocide, such as the loss of language, culture, and traditions experienced by the Indigenous peoples of North and South America.You’ll find more details on intergenerational trauma below, including key signs, causes, and tips for getting support.Įxperts now recognize a wider range of circumstances that can lead to historical or intergenerational trauma, including: Though intergenerational trauma can have deep, complex, and far-reaching effects, it’s possible to heal - not to mention minimize your chances of continuing the cycle. relationships with family members and romantic partners.Trauma passed down through generations can ripple through multiple areas of life, not just for the survivors, but also for descendants not yet born at the time of the original trauma. You might also come across the term historical trauma, which describes intergenerational trauma that stems from oppression related to culture, race, or ethnicity. The toll of these experiences can reverberate across generations.Įxperts refer to this as intergenerational trauma, or secondary traumatization. Major, large-scale traumatic events often don’t affect only those who survive them. Yet certain types of trauma can have a far more profound impact.

You might, for instance, find yourself facing long-term emotional distress after discovering a partner’s infidelity, losing your sibling in a car accident, or coping with the sudden illness and death of a beloved pet.

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