What do you think of when you ponder the concept of family inheritance? You might dream about having a valuable item passed down to you. In another context, your thoughts could include eye and hair color, height, body shape, blood type, and other inherited physical traits. You’d certainly be excused if the word “trauma” didn’t come to mind.
Of course, it is more obvious to notice something like being left-handed. Still, trauma can make major changes to our collective DNA. Something endured by your parents or grandparents (or even further back) can be impacting your mental and physical well-being right now.
What is Inherited Family Trauma?
Let’s begin by clarifying that “trauma” is not a term used to describe the events that happen to you. It’s meant to define how you emotionally respond to a potentially traumatic event. In some cases, you may bounce back quickly. Other times, it could turn into Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and require intervention. Either way, your body responded to the event, and this response may have impacted your DNA.
This is not to say trauma changes your DNA sequence. The theory is that trauma can alter how your body reads an existing sequence. Inherited Family Trauma takes place when those changes occurred to family members in the past. It’s believed that the new way of reading a DNA sequence is passed down. Unknown to you, this “inheritance” can result in a broad range of mental health struggles for future generations. Even though you have no memory or knowledge of the past trauma in your family’s history, it could explain why you are now struggling with something like:
Depression or anxiety
Substance abuse
Disordered eating
Fears, phobias, or obsessions
How to Recognize Inherited Family Trauma
One of the most common but least obvious symptoms is denial. There can be a lot of stigmas connected to trauma—especially any kind of abuse. Family elders may vehemently deny any such history. This can manifest in family members being:
Unwilling to open up about feelings
Suspicious of outsiders
Overprotective of children
On a more obvious, personal level, signs and symptoms of inherited family trauma may include:
Sleep problems, nightmares, etc.
Hyper-vigilance
Anxiety and/or panic attacks
Depression
Low self-esteem
Being emotionally numb
Social isolation
Unresolved grief
Thoughts of death, dying, and suicide
Children dealing with generational trauma may show signs in a school setting, e.g., academic problems, skipping classes, and behavioral issues.
Dealing With Inherited Family Trauma
You will need to speak with a qualified mental health professional. But, in the meantime, there are some important steps you can take on your own.
Learn Your Family History
This may require some patience and skill, but reach out to family members to explore. Sure, it may feel awkward or provoke drama but consider the alternative. To remain silent is to participate in the passing down of trauma to yet another generation.
Pass On What You Learn
The only way to break the cycle is to shine a light on what’s been hidden. From there, each of you has the option to work on your own healing. If you have children of your own, there is a duty to protect them.
Get on a Path of Healing
Until each family member resolves the remnants of trauma, the inheritance remains in place. You did not deserve to pay the price for something that happened before you were around. But, it’s reality, and you have the power to stop things in their tracks.
You have the power to create a new inheritance: healing. If any of this resonates with you, we should talk soon. Let’s re-imagine your family legacy.
