Have you ever noticed certain patterns in your family? Maybe there’s a shared sense of worry that you can’t quite explain, or behaviors that seem to have passed down through generations. Perhaps it’s the way emotions are handled or certain unspoken rules that everyone seems to follow. You may have wondered why these patterns exist or felt confused by how difficult it is to change them.
Trauma and its symptoms, reactions, and patterns that are passed from previous generations is called intergenerational or multigenerational trauma. The effects on your life can be hard to recognize, let alone challenge. They might even feel too big to confront. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Keep reading to better understand intergenerational trauma, why some things feel so ingrained, and how they can be shifted over time.
Read: What does “triggered” mean? 3 Trauma Myths Busted
What is intergenerational trauma?
At its core, intergenerational trauma refers to the psychological and emotional scars passed from one generation to the next. This kind of trauma isn’t necessarily linked to a single event or experience, but rather to a series of unresolved pain, fear, or hurt that gets handed down within families—often unknowingly.
For example, imagine a family where a grandparent grew up in an environment of emotional or verbal abuse, constantly criticized or belittled. These experiences likely left deep emotional wounds, even if never openly acknowledged. As they raised their children, the unresolved trauma might have shown up as emotional distance, over-criticism, or a persistent sense of anxiety. Their children, now adults, may have internalized these patterns, unknowingly repeating them in their own lives—perhaps by being overly critical of themselves or struggling to express emotions. Over time, these behaviors can pass down to the next generation, creating a cycle that feels hard to break.
Trauma doesn’t always show up in obvious ways, which can make it challenging to identify. It can influence how families communicate, how emotions are expressed, and even how people respond to stress.
Read: 10 Signs You’re Living With Unresolved Trauma & How to Evict It
Is intergenerational trauma real?
Though the idea of trauma being passed through generations might sound abstract, there’s science to back it up. Studies have shown that trauma can actually alter the way our genes are expressed, a process known as epigenetics. This means that certain traumatic experiences can leave a biological imprint that gets passed on, affecting not only emotional responses but physical health as well.
One landmark study conducted by Rachel Yehuda, a leading researcher in the field of trauma, focused on the children of Holocaust survivors. Yehuda’s research found that the descendants of those survivors displayed changes in their stress hormone levels, making them more susceptible to anxiety and PTSD-like symptoms, even though they did not directly experience the trauma themselves.
This study illustrates how trauma can be passed down biologically and creates emotional patterns that shape family dynamics long after the original events. However, this doesn’t mean you’re powerless. While trauma may influence the way you think, feel, or react, these patterns can be unlearned—and healing is possible.
Read: 4 Truths About Trauma Stranger Things 4 Gets Right
How to break the cycle
These patterns aren’t simply “just the way things are”—and realizing that allows you to take meaningful steps toward healing. The first step is awareness—recognizing the ways trauma may have influenced your family and yourself. This realization can feel empowering because it allows you to see that these behaviors aren’t inevitable; they can be changed.
Therapy is central in this process. Working with a therapist trained in trauma-focused approaches can help you:
- Understand the emotional patterns you’ve inherited
- Explore deep-seated issues in a safe and non-judgemental space
- Identify and challenge negative thought patterns
- Redefine how you want to engage with your emotions
- Develop strategies to break the chain of trauma
While this process can take time, each small step toward understanding and healing is progress worth celebrating. Therapy allows you to reclaim control of your own story by learning to set healthier boundaries, finding new ways to cope, and simply allowing yourself to process difficult emotions. This shift even has the potential to ripple through future generations and create a healthier legacy.
Read: Self-Care Strategies For Trauma Relief
Ready to take the next step?
If you’ve noticed patterns that feel difficult to break, therapy can be an important step in your healing journey. At Austin Anxiety and Trauma Specialists, we understand how challenging it can be to confront these issues alone—it doesn’t have to be that way.
Book your free consultation today to explore how our trauma specialists can help you break free from the past and define your own life. The journey to healing begins with one step—take yours today.
