Generational trauma, also known as intergenerational or trans-generational trauma, refers to the transmission of traumatic experiences from one generation to the next.
This phenomenon occurs when the psychological and emotional effects of trauma, such as war, slavery, or severe abuse, are not fully processed and are instead passed down. Unprocessed trauma occurs as a long-term compounding of unacknowledged tension, intensive stress, and the lack of supportive resources to cope with such experiences. This can come in more subtle and unnoticeable forms of micro-trauma, such as a history of conflict avoidance, habitual eating patterns, emotional neglect, racial discrimination, etc.
The aftermath of unprocessed trauma can manifest in various symptoms, such as: anxiety, depression, chronic stress, and physical health issues. As they say, the body keeps the score. While some comping mechanisms try to address the effects of generational trauma, it may be helpful to go deeper into the ancestral roots of it through the body as a way to inform and guide the process.
Science Behind Generational Trauma
Research has shown that trauma can be transmitted through both social and biological pathways.
Epigenetics is the study of how behaviours and environmental factors can cause changes in the way genes are expressed without altering the underlying DNA sequence. Think of it as a set of instructions that can turn genes on or off, influencing how cells read those genes.
For example, if a person experiences significant trauma, the stress response might be “encoded” in their genes in a way that makes their descendants more prone to anxiety or stress-related disorders.
In the context of generational trauma, epigenetics provides a biological explanation for how the effects of trauma can be passed down, offering insights into both the challenges and opportunities for healing that individuals and families face.
Understanding this connection highlights the importance of addressing not only our own mental and emotional health but also creating supportive environments for our families, friends, colleagues, and of course, future generations.
Socially, generational trauma can be transmitted through parenting styles, family dynamics, political unrest, cultural practices, and the natural environment. Trauma is inherently part of this experience of being human.
Children often absorb the unresolved emotions and behaviours of their parents, even if they are not consciously aware of the trauma that caused them. This can create patterns or responses that persist across generations, perpetuating the cycle of trauma. Children can also absorb the qualities of resilience, recovery, agency, and joy, as well.
At a certain point, it is each of us individually that have to make an effort to process these often difficult narratives, emotions, and experiences. The tensions and triggers are often gateways for that processing. Rather than those triggers to be avoided or ashamed of, it is helpful and sometimes necessary information arising for us to process it.
The Role of Somatics in Addressing Generational Trauma
Trauma is not only stored in the mind but also in the body, manifesting as physical tension, chronic pain, or other somatic symptoms. Somatic therapy addresses these symptoms by attuning into the body-mind connection, and where the gaps between those connection seem severed or dissonant.
Somatic therapy helps individuals connect to these embodied traumas and see how the trauma seeks to be acknowledged, or needs to be transformed into a creative fire, or gently released through a methodical approach with a professional. Embodied awareness involves physical sensations, subtle movements, emotional mapping, relational attuning, and breathing patterns.
By addressing the physiological aspects of trauma, somatic therapy can help break the cycle of generational trauma. This approach enables individuals to process and release the trauma that has been stored in their bodies, leading to a deeper and more comprehensive healing process.
When combined with other therapeutic modalities, somatic therapy can be particularly effective in helping individuals not only understand their trauma but also physically move through it, leading to lasting change.
There are many pathways towards healing, and somatic therapy is one of many.
Why Generational Trauma Matters
Understanding and addressing generational trauma is crucial for breaking the cycle of suffering.
By acknowledging the ways in which trauma is passed down in our own lives, we can begin to heal not only individual wounds but be better attuned to the collective wounds of society.
In today’s world, generational trauma is at the core of the public genocides we have been witnessing on the internet. All of this news is nothing new, but rather, it is now publicised. The rapid spread of information, both actual and fake, is causing intense destabilising of all we know that was normal. Confronting this trauma will help us move forward through this collective shadow.
In the context of today’s societal challenges, addressing generational trauma is not just about individual healing—it’s about creating a healthier, more diverse, accepting, empathetic, and balanced society.
By understanding the impact of epigenetics and utilising therapeutic approaches like somatic therapy, and other sacred activism pathways towards our collective healing — we can help ensure that the traumas of today don’t become the burdens of tomorrow.
In summary, the relevance of generational trauma in modern times is paramount to providing a better future for us all. The science of epigenetics provides a biological explanation for how trauma is passed down, while somatic therapy offers practical tools for healing. As we navigate the complexities of today’s world, acknowledging and addressing generational trauma is crucial for inter-generational healing.
