However, there are several theories on the subject. Because of that, intergenerational trauma often goes undiagnosed or gets misdiagnosed as something else.Īside from the common symptoms, one of the reasons it’s hard to recognize intergenerational trauma is that it’s not fully known what causes it to get passed down. If you look at that list, you can probably think of several other mental health conditions that cause some of the same problems. Some of the most common signs of intergenerational trauma include: But it contributes to a vicious cycle that can last for many years. The process seems simple and complex all at once. Because they are anxious and fearful of certain things, they might pass those ideas and traits to their children, who develop the same traits and pass them on.
When that child eventually becomes a parent themselves, the way they raise their children might be impacted by what they experienced. As a result, their behaviors might change and they might see the world differently. They might struggle with that well into adulthood. The main idea behind intergenerational trauma is experiencing a traumatic event so intense that the effects of it last for generations.Ĭonsider a child who has been abused or witness one parent abuse another. Let’s take a closer dive into this specific type of trauma experience. If you’ve never heard of intergenerational trauma before, it’s important to know what it is, how it impacts families, and how you can recognize the signs. It could be affecting you, and it might even get passed on to your children. Intergenerational trauma is actually more common than you might think. So, what happens when the impact of a traumatic experience affects many generations to come? Yes, it happens. But trauma can be caused by anything from an abusive relationship to experiencing a natural disaster. Many people used to associate it with things like military veterans returning home after a war. The mindset of what trauma actually is has shifted, too. If you go through a traumatic experience at any age, it can affect you for years to come. Most people understand the basics of trauma.