Most people think of trauma as something you have to experience directly. Generational trauma can be passed down for decades. You may have never directly gone through the event that originally caused it. 

Often, generational trauma occurs when a group of people experience a large traumatic event, like a natural disaster or a war. The Holocaust is a strong example of one of these events. The impact on the generation that experienced it has been passed down through many families. So, the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of survivors might still feel the impact. 

Unfortunately, generational trauma can cause lingering issues in families and individuals. Breaking the cycle is possible once you recognize what you’re dealing with and when you’re willing to take the steps necessary to overcome it. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the signs of generational trauma, and what you can do to stop it from impacting future generations of your family. 

What Are The Signs of Generational Trauma?

Generational trauma can be difficult to spot unless you know which signs to look for. It can impact people differently, depending on the traits that have been passed down through your family. 

Some of the common symptoms of generational trauma include mental health issues like depression and anxiety, along with emotional numbness and detachment. You might deal with depersonalization, or the practice of dissociating from yourself and the things around you. This is a defense mechanism. It's a way to “protect” yourself, but it can make it difficult to feel grounded or secure. 

In some cases, generational trauma can cause PTSD symptoms, even if you haven’t directly experienced a traumatic event. You might struggle with isolation or withdrawing from things you know you enjoy. 

How Does it Work?

So, how can another person’s trauma impact you so deeply if you never actually experienced it? Generational trauma is unique. More research needs to be done. However, it is believed that trauma can have a direct impact on your genetic makeup. The changes in a person’s genes are passed down to their children. 

What’s more obvious, though, are the risk factors research associates with generational trauma. If your family has faced war, natural disasters, discrimination, or racism, they’re more likely to have experienced genetic changes that will be passed to future generations within your family. 

Unfortunately, there is no specific diagnosis for generational trauma. So, it’s important to recognize the signs and become familiar with your family history. Working with a mental health professional is often the best way to determine what you’re dealing with. Getting to the underlying cause of your generational trauma and actually giving it a name is the first step toward healing. 

What Can You Do?

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms of generational trauma, working with a therapist can help you break free. 

While it’s not always easy to accept the trauma and its lasting effects, it’s an important step in the healing process. Therapy can help you better understand how this type of trauma works and how it might be impacting you today. 

Working with a therapist gives you the opportunity to define the things you might have been feeling for years without really knowing why. That can be an empowering experience. It allows you to feel more in control over the trauma, rather than letting it define your life, your future, and your children’s futures. 

While generational trauma can be tricky to deal with, it’s not impossible. If you’re ready to break the cycle, feel free to contact me to set up a consultation for trauma therapy or to learn more about how this type of trauma works.