Generational Trauma: Understanding the Echoes of Our Ancestors

We have all heard of the term “generational trauma” being flung around us all the time, yet still very misunderstood. Basically, its the way the actions and experiences of our predecessors shape our lives and influence our perception and capacity for happiness and joy.

Also known as transgenerational trauma, this concept isn't limited to direct parent-child transmissions as most comprehend it. Surprisingly, the influences can ripple through many generations, affecting descendants far removed from the original source.

The idea that trauma can be transmitted across generations can be a difficult concept to grasp even for myself but I aim to discuss it within a more personal and comprehensible framework in this instance.

The signs of generational trauma manifest in various behaviors: hypervigilance, difficulty in trusting others, low self-esteem, an intense fear of death, pervasive feelings of hopelessness, and susceptibility to substance abuse. These patterns can perpetuate familial cycles of addiction, visible from parent, to child, to grandchild.

Most people live in denial and fail to acknowledge the facets of their life being driven by this inherited trauma. This denial can lead to further complications, such as low self-esteem, emotional detachment, trauma bonding (an unhealthy attachment to one's abuser), and, in severe cases, physical or mental abuse to the people close to you.

The truth is, generational trauma affects us all in some form. It’s crucial to confront this invisible inherited legacy head-on rather than walking through life oblivious to the profound impacts to the people you love.