Generational Trauma: How Our Grandparents' Struggles Affect Us Even Today

Every family carries with it a legacy. That legacy might be a heirloom passed down through generations or a shared tradition of recipes cooked and enjoyed on holidays. But some legacies are darker and more difficult to carry – the legacy of trauma. This type of trauma is often multi-generational in that it lives on in each successive generation through their shared pain, struggle and experience. Unfortunately, this type of trauma has far-reaching consequences affecting our physical and emotional health today.

Consider the example of someone who grows up with an apartment full of children and their pregnant grandmother not being able to "make ends meet" financially. That kind of struggle is hard enough for one person, but it passes from the deeply traumatic experiences experienced by ones grandparents all the way down to the children, parents and grandchildren. The trauma doesn't just end with the financial struggle – it also affects their mental and physical health as well.

To further illustrate this point, consider the case of a young woman whose mother was abused during her pregnancy with her. This mother is already dealing with tremendous anxiety due in part to the financial strain and now her own safety is at risk from her abuser. The abuse experienced by this woman was undoubtedly traumatic and this trauma has the potential to affect her offspring as well.

For example, it's not uncommon for young adults who come from families dealing with this kind of trauma to suffer from anxiety disorders, depression, and other mental health issues. What's worse is that these issues can come without any warning as they often linger beneath the surface for many years. Those who come face-to-face with these unresolved issues have to have a great deal of strength in order to confront them head-on and address them appropriately.

This issue is especially relevant today as there are so many people suffering from various mental health issues as a result of this kind of generational trauma. As such, it's important to take steps towards helping those who are struggling with the aftermath of such painful experiences. This could include providing a safe space for individuals to work through their emotions and feel supported rather than judged or shamed. It could also involve providing educational activities to help survivors better understand their past traumas and work towards healing them.

The takeaway here is to recognize that generational trauma has long-lasting effects and can be passed down from one generation to the next. It's important to acknowledge this legacy of trauma and take steps towards addressing it in order to help those impacted heal from their pain.