#transgeneratinaltrauma #epigenetics #genograms #psychotherapy Considering how trauma is passed down from generation to generation and how it manifests in people's lives in the here and now, when they can't pinpoint easily to the root of the problem. Sometimes it is because it's not their trauma, or it's not 'just their' trauma, but it is the cumulative effect of the overwhelming life experiences of their ancestors. Trauma can manifest in anxiety, difficulty in emotional regulation, the way people make sense of events in their lives, in the decisions they have made along the line about themselves, others and the quality of life. These decisions once served themselves or their ancestors to survive, but today they may not serve as well. Transgenerational trauma has also been found to be a result of epigenetics, imprinted in the DNA, the research is still in its infancy but there is evidence to suggest this is another way that the history impacts the person in the here and now. Genograms and detailed accounts of the lives of parents, grandparents and other important parental figures in one's life, drawn collaboratively in therapy can be invaluable in identifying and making a plausible formulation, a storyline which the person can use to make sense of their difficulties. At times it may seem tedious or irrelevant when a therapist asks the client to spend time in sessions exploring the history of the last 3 generations but there really is a strong rationale and a worthwhile investment in understanding the self. worthwhile investment. If you are interested in reading more on the research of transgernerational trauma this is a good article. The Legacy of Trauma
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