Trauma across Generations

Q: Can intergenerational trauma impact our mental and physical health ?

Absolutely. 'Who we are' is passed down to us from the older generations that faced war, famine, plagues, starvation, genocide, poverty, disease, violence, etc. Neuroscientists report that the psychological impact of this history gets passed along in the form of anxiety, depression, anger, shame, fear, etc. The parents who raise us, came with the same ingrained attitudes, beliefs and behavior that were learned from their parents.

Moreover, genetic scientists conclude that our human DNA is modified by the life-conditions that impacted our forefathers/mothers. It is called epigenetics and refers to the impact of the environment on genetic variations and changes. Historical hardship like famine, genocide, disease, poverty, etc., signals certain protein groups that either turn on or turn off key the genetic /DNA sequences that determine our individual course of health and well-being. So, yes, we are uniquely shaped by our ancestral heritage.