Mental Health Series: Understanding Trauma and Intergenerational Trauma

Before we can understand the concept of 'Intergenerational Trauma', we must understand what is trauma. Trauma is an intense emotional, physical, or spiritual reaction to ANY recurring or one-off event or interaction (no matter how big or small) which causes an individual distress. There is no event or interaction too minor, ever.

Events can include (but are not limited to) domestic and/or family violence, sexual abuse, natural disaster, war, bullying, racism, political upheaval, intergenerational trauma, loss of a job/income, break down of a friendship/relationship, grief, or forced marriages. Reactions to trauma/distress can include (but are not limited to) anger, emotional dysregulation, developmental issues, self-harm, memory loss, disassociation, violence, substance abuse, gambling, trouble concentrating, depression, or isolation.

Each individual reacts to events and situations differently. We are all unique, and we experience trauma in various ways.  These behaviours and reactions can be passed down from one generation to the next (your children, their children, and so on). This is called "Intergenerational Trauma". It is a cycle and a pattern which continues to present and repeat until it is met with compassion, understanding and awareness.

Research suggests that intergenerational trauma can be passed down through an epigenetic process whereby trauma influences the microglia, which is the brain’s immune system. At the time when an individual is facing an extreme traumatic reactive state, the microglia eat away at nerve endings instead of enhancing growth and getting rid of damage. The body's immune system is compromised when we have a cold or flu. Similarly, brains immune system becomes compromised when we go through trauma inducing experiences. The microglia go haywire in the brain and can cause things like depression, anxiety, or even dementia. This alteration is not genetic, it doesn’t cause a genetic mutation, it is epigenetic, meaning there is an alter in how the genes function. This is a genetic change which is believed to be passed down to future generations due to how trauma can epigenetically alter one’s genes.

Apart from epigenetics, intergenerational transmission of trauma can also be influenced by socio-economic status, the country you live in, politics, culture, tradition, religion, education, psychological/physical issues. Intergenerational trauma is the ongoing impact of traumatic events and situations that happened in prior generations and continues to impact the current generation. The impact of intergenerational trauma is hugely underestimated. There is a reason why it is ever present in our daily lives, and that reason is because the generation before us, and before them, all the way back to our great-great grandparents, and beyond, may not have had the knowledge, awareness, understanding, and most importantly, they did not have the tools, resources and the vast range of therapies that we now have to recognize, to acknowledge, to slowly make sense of, and heal from, trauma.

Intergenerational trauma also affects parenting styles, the parent-child relationship, it stems into intimate relationships and possibly into workplace relations. To investigate and identify how you have been impacted by Intergenerational trauma, start by observing yourself - your experiences, triggers, reactions, behaviours, beliefs, boundaries, decisions - ask yourself where these stem from. Is it a learnt behaviour, are you repeating what you have been seeing? Are you actually living your best life or just reacting and responding to your environment and upbringing? How many, and what type of trauma inducing events have you been through? What was your reaction?

Through a non-bias lens, you must apply the aforementioned thought process and line of observation and questioning to your parent/s, their parents, and the generations before them. Through this exercise, you should be able to identify the patterns and cycles of trauma (such as grief, abuse, violence, abandonment, poverty).

 The next step encompasses being empathetic, non-bias and non-judgmental. It requires having a thirst for knowledge and understanding.  This step involves creating a genogram. A genogram is similar to a family tree, however, apart from an individuals' name, date of birth and death, it also includes the life story of each person. Think of it like you are collating personal stories and evidence to write a biography. To create a genogram, it is imperative to gain historical information pertaining to what they went through in their lives such as: hardships, marriage, kids, or experiences of grief, abandonment, abuse, neglect;  health/physical conditions or limitations; socio-economic/financial status; and education/work history. This helps identify the patterns and cycles of trauma in one's lineage to help understand where behaviours and belief systems stem from. There may be holes or knowledge gaps in your quest to learn about your ancestral history. For various reasons, you may not find the answers you are looking for. You have to make peace with not finding answers and piece together what you can with the information at hand. You will need to ask your parent/s, grandparent/s, and various members of your family to learn about your ancestral history. You can only use the information you have gained to help you - if you cannot attain the information you need, or if you need help making sense of it, reach out to a mental health professional who specializes in intergenerational trauma.

 Once these patterns and cycles have been identified, it will make it easier to connect the impacts of intergenerational trauma to the current generation facing it. Healing from intergenerational trauma may involve all of the above, counselling, journalling, grieving, unconditional forgiveness & creating boundaries. It is a process which can take months to years. It involves taking an in-depth look into yourself, your family, your parenting styles, your attachment styles in relationships and your reactions to uncomfortable environments and situations. Learning about your familial history is a life changing and valuable experience which will help you and future generations to be mindful, empathetic, and emotionally regulated.

Shalina Lodhia is a seasoned trauma counselor based in Australia, who empowers South Asian women and men with her extensive experience in addressing issues such as domestic violence, intergenerational trauma, inner child wounds, and the impact of fatherlessness.