Intergenerational Trauma: Healing and Treatment

- Muskan Tuli, Intern at Heart it Out, Bangalore

Intergenerational trauma is mainly transmitted through the attachment relationship with parents and families who have undergone experience that significantly alter their perception and bring about inevitable changes in their psychological state making them predisposed to further trauma during the lifespan.

Experts are interested in learning about how the intergenerational trauma affects an individual's immune system. The symptoms include hypervigilance, a sense of a shortened future, mistrust, aloofness or isolation, high anxiety, depression, panic attacks, nightmares, insomnia, a sensitive fight or flight response, and issues with self-esteem and self-confidence. These can bring about a change in the brain anatomy by affecting the microglia and other structures such as the limbic system that is the primary control system of emotional regulation.

Who is Vulnerable to Intergenerational Trauma?

Everyone is susceptible to generational trauma, however the history of domestic violence, sexual or physical abuse, experience of hate crime or history of diagnosed mental health conditions make these specific populations vulnerable and increase their predisposition resulting in generational trauma.

Healing For Good

Self Help

The first step to healing this type of trauma is to gain an understanding of your own triggers and symptoms. Keeping a journal can be an effective way of identifying them. Sit with your experiences to understand the nature of your trauma and mark your triggers and emotions.

Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness measures can help an individual understand the source of the trauma residing in their bodies, giving them an insight to work upon it, this sort of practice can be done alone or with a mental health professional for support. Here’s a quick guide for you to understand the practice and start your healing journey.

Resilience Building

Practicing placing awareness on emotions and understanding it’s sense and impact on the body can help in identifying and managing the trauma. Certain strategies can help one to build resilience to deal with the aftermath of trauma.

Relaxation

Practice essential self-care not limited to taking out time or listening to music and reading. Understand that your parents are not your responsibility. Try relaxation techniques and find ways to distract and take control of your emotions.

Support System

Confide in a support system, you can talk to a trusted family member, friend or a co-worker. Create a list of people to whom you can turn to in times of need. Do not hesitate to seek help from a mental health professional if you are facing uncomfortable situations and emotions. Remember you're not alone :)

Treatment Options

Beyond vocabulary and a healthy perspective, treatment for intergenerational trauma and historical trauma is fairly similar to that of any trauma-informed practice, though pace may vary. Various therapies are available to help people recover from the trauma and establish control over their emotional regulation.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

In EMDR, a person focuses on specific memory while experiencing rhythmic, bilateral stimulation of the right and left hemispheres of the brain which has been reported to reduce the vividness and emotion associated with the trauma memories. Research has provided evidence of the efficacy of the procedure.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy [TF-CBT]

TF-CBT focuses on the relationship among thoughts, feelings, and behaviors; targets current problems and symptoms; and focuses on changing patterns of behaviors, thoughts and feelings that lead to difficulties in functioning. Research has shown that the procedure helps with reducing symptoms associated with post traumatic stress disorder.

Prolonged Exposure

In this procedure, people are taught to gradually approach trauma-related memories, feelings and situations while working with their therapist in a safe, discussed and well-prepared way to face stimuli and situations that evoke fear and remind them of the trauma to increase their comfort and reduce their fear. This treatment procedure is one of the most effective procedures to deal with the aftermath of trauma.

Healing isn't easy, but don't be afraid, take the first step. If you know any person in need of help, don't hesitate to seek help from a mental health professional!

References:

https://www.apa.org/monitor/2019/02/legacy-trauma

https://australianstogether.org.au/discover/the-wound/intergenerational-trauma/

https://www.health.com/condition/ptsd/generational-trauma

https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/Understanding_Intergenerational_Trauma

https://feminisminindia.com/2020/10/21/intergenerational-dalit-trauma-caste-violence/

https://scroll.in/article/732511/the-partition-have-we-swept-the-individual-trauma-under-the-carpet

https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2020/06/9848448/what-is-intergenerational-trauma

https://www.socialworktoday.com/archive/051214p18.shtml

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332155812_An_Exploration_of_the_Aesthetics_of_Dalit_Trauma_in_Mulk_Raj_Anand%27s_Untouchable

https://www.apa.org/monitor/2019/02/legacy-trauma

https://www.health.com/condition/ptsd/generational-trauma