Generational trauma, also known as intergenerational trauma or transgenerational trauma, is when the emotional wounds and trauma of one generation are passed down to subsequent generations. The traumatic event that sparks these traumas varies, and can range from a singular event to long-standing traumas such as systemic oppression. You may have heard more about generational trauma from those surviving historical trauma, such as the Great Depression and Holocaust survivors.
This trauma is often passed down through generations, influencing family dynamics and how children are raised. This can result in patterns of mental health issues in subsequent descendants, such as substance abuse and depression.
It may seem like trauma is too deeply rooted in your family to find healing, but with the right therapy for generational trauma, anything is possible. AM Healthcare and our partners are here to help you break the cycle and begin a new chapter in your family.
Untreated trauma can have a ripple effect that affects more than the individual. These traumas can persist for so long that they can change our very genetics.
Generational trauma refers to the passing of trauma through subsequent generations. Often, this is done by caregivers, such as parents, to children. Other family members, such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, and more, can pass trauma to others in the family. Stigma around mental health conditions is unfortunately deeply rooted in many cultures, which leads many people to keep their trauma to themselves.
People from older generations are more prone to not talk about their trauma, which can result in untreated mental health issues. Nowadays, the stigma is lessening around mental health care, leading to more individuals realizing that their family dynamic is not normal and seeking professional help. However, many still hold on to their trauma because of stigma, shame, or lack of accessible care.
The transmission of trauma between generations of family members can occur without families being aware of it. Reactions to traumatic experiences can become normalized or may even cause deeper changes.
Trauma often starts in one individual, who then develops conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or depression. They may also develop deeply ingrained habits (both positive and negative) in response to said trauma that they practice long after danger has passed. An example of such is hoarding food after surviving a famine as a child. They may also develop unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as abusing alcohol or other substances.
This can cause two outcomes:
1. A family member close by (usually a child or sibling) experiences their own traumatic experiences as a result of this environment. An example is a parent being emotionally immature due to their trauma, which puts pressure on their child to grow up fast.
2. Unhealthy reactions to trauma are normalized, such as substance use. Adolescents learn from observing adults and may therefore believe that this is an appropriate response to pain or stress.
Another answer may be epigenetics, the study of how environmental factors and behaviors change how a gene expresses itself. Groups of people who experience systematic oppression, famine, and other long-lasting trauma may inadvertently pass the effects of trauma to subsequent generations through genetics itself.
The effects of generational trauma are difficult to spot at first because they can become normalized. Psychoeducation is the best way to alert people to the reality of generational trauma and help their families get the help they need. Families may also self-isolate, which may make identifying harmful behaviors hard.
These are the common signs of generational trauma:
Please note that these signs are not present in all families. It’s important to look for patterns to establish the presence of trauma.
Carrying pain that doesn’t belong to you can take a devastating toll on your health. Understanding the impact of this pain drives home the importance of swift mental health intervention.
Trauma disrupts daily life and prevents one from participating in normal activities. This can result in dysfunctional family dynamics that prioritize feeling safe over taking necessary risks in life. For example, trauma survivors may not feel safe enough to leave the house, preventing them from having a job or going out for errands. Anything can be a trigger for trauma, which makes one second-guess every action they can take to avoid pain.
Most of all, trauma whittles away at self-esteem, making it difficult for someone to feel confident in their abilities. In severe cases, trauma survivors may struggle with a decrease in both mental and physical health. Humans are not designed to live with this level of constant stress without causing lasting damage.
What makes generational trauma so serious is that it impacts how the next generation grows and matures. The adolescents we raise now will eventually step into adult roles and raise families of their own. Past trauma will eventually become future trauma if care is not taken. For example, children who are exposed to domestic violence may experience social, emotional, and behavioral difficulties.
Without addressing generational trauma, whole families will continue to struggle in silence. Nobody deserves to live with the effects of trauma or the mental health disorders that stem from it. However, healing and peace can be found with professional help.
The cycle of generational trauma can only be broken with the help of mental health professionals. Without professional guidance, it’s easy for family members to ignore or bury their trauma. Doing so allows the trauma to fester and affect subsequent generations.
Only a mental health professional has the training and experience needed to address this deep pain while offering the support families need to recover.
The healing process starts with breaking the cycle of generational trauma. But to do so requires the family to:
Part of the process of healing emotional and psychological pain is to accept that you have been hurt through no fault of your own. Sometimes, having someone validate your pain can be an emotional relief. For those who may have been trapped in trauma for decades, it can be difficult to open up. But with the help of their loved ones and mental health care team, healing is possible for anyone.
It’s never too late to get help and improve your emotional well-being. The skills you learn in treatment can be what’s passed down to future generations, not trauma.
AM Healthcare and our partners are committed to breaking the cycle of generational trauma through quality, compassionate, and whole-person-focused treatment. This combination of holistic and clinical modalities results in quality, comprehensive, and compassionate therapy for generational trauma.
Clinical trauma-focused psychotherapy (or talk therapy) is a critical part of trauma treatment. These therapies are designed to minimize the chance of re-traumatizing the individual and work to address the underlying cause of trauma. Some examples of evidence-based treatments you may receive are:
Some mental health interventions require a family to work together to overcome trauma. This is achieved through family therapy, group therapy, and support groups.
Family therapy, in particular, is designed to help heal an established family system. Individual family members receive a safe place to address hurts and work on several critical skills. These skills include communication, emotional regulation, and defining healthy relationships.
Each type of trauma is unique and requires an equally personalized approach to treatment. Trauma also leaves lasting damage to the body, mind, and spirit, necessitating a whole-person approach to healing.
Physical health is improved through healthy eating, managing underlying medical issues, and regular physical activity. Movement-based therapy, nutritional therapy, and more are used to improve overall physical wellness.
Mental health is improved through more clinical approaches, such as psychotherapy, to help heal the mind. Meditation and mindfulness techniques are often used to build mental resilience.
Spiritual health refers to a person’s inner self-worth, self-expression, and courage. Therapies such as art therapy help you express yourself in a way that’s tangible.
AM Healthcare believes in helping people from all walks of life free themselves from trauma so they can be their best selves. We are committed to providing a supportive and safe environment for continuous recovery and healing.
Our staff has decades of combined experience in helping families and their loved ones break free of generational trauma. We take a sensitive approach to trauma treatment while being wholly aware of the various cultures our clients may come from.
AM Healthcare and our partners have a variety of treatment centers equipped to meet the unique and individual needs of our clients. Our goal is to offer full care, providing quality trauma and co-occurring mental health disorder care for everyone.
Some specialized options across our system include:
It’s not enough to treat the trauma – it’s also rebuilding the family’s sense of self beyond trauma. It can be hard to imagine life without trauma at first, but you will find yourself too busy enjoying life to miss it. We will teach you the skills you need to continue to succeed and thrive post-treatment, such as self-care, resilience, and goal-setting.
Healing from trauma is a journey, and AM Healthcare is with you for every step.
The first step to overcoming trauma is to acknowledge that a problem exists. Trauma can be embarrassing, and it’s not uncommon to bury uncomfortable memories and experiences.
However, these feelings can eventually erupt if bottled up and affect the people around you. This is how generational trauma begins, and it can stop with you. No trauma is too small or too big for treatment, and if you are struggling with trauma in any way, it’s time to seek help.
Healing from trauma takes time, and therapy for generational trauma is not an instant fix. It helps to look at trauma treatment as a journey, not a race. Some family members may be resistant to change and be stubborn at first, but over time, they will see how you have reclaimed your life.
It’s important to be understanding, but firm, in that you will not allow trauma to continue to affect you or be propagated in your family. As long as you trust in your mental health care providers, you will begin to see real change occur.
It may take time, but it’s never impossible for you and your family to find healing and peace.
At AM Healthcare, we believe everyone deserves quality and compassionate treatment, no matter who they are. We are ready and willing to work with you and your family to get you the care you need and deserve.
We know that therapy may be difficult for some families. That’s why AM Healthcare does its best to make therapy more accessible. We offer flexible treatment plans to fit any schedule, including virtual treatment options, which are perfect for busy families.
AM Healthcare also accepts most major insurance providers and offers no-cost mental health consultations. If you have questions, we are always happy to answer them.
At AM Healthcare, we will never judge, belittle, or shame you or your loved ones for the traumas they experienced. Trauma is never your fault. No person deserves the trauma they experienced. By providing support and understanding, we hope to help you and your loved ones recognize how much they deserve to be happy.
One of the most important things you can do is to teach your loved ones that their mental health matters. It’s time to break the stigma around mental health disorders and treatment. AM Healthcare is happy to offer psychoeducation to help your family understand that:
Being supportive and validating to your loved ones, especially children, teaches them that it’s okay to talk about their mental health and feelings. Over time, this can create lasting change in your family and teach the younger members valuable skills they can take into adulthood.
Healing is a continuous journey, especially when it comes to trauma. You and your loved ones need to receive aftercare after initial treatment is completed. Our aftercare services are designed to help you and your loved ones establish healthy habits and receive continuous support.
This support ranges from helping parents better communicate with their children to helping individuals find a supportive community. At AM Healthcare, you always have a friend in your corner to help should you need it.
So don’t wait to break the cycle of generational trauma. Reach out to AM Healthcare today.
Generational trauma is a serious issue that keeps families trapped in the cycle of fear and pain. Only therapy for generational trauma provided by mental health professionals can help families break this cycle and find peace once more. At AM Healthcare, we and our providers offer custom-tailored treatment plans to help people from all walks of life, including families trapped in generational trauma. With trauma-focused treatment plans, we are confident we can help you and your loved ones heal from the past so you can look towards the future. If you are looking for generational trauma therapy in Southern California, don’t wait. Call AM Healthcare today at (866) 352-6898 to take the first step in your healing journey.
