by Idris Abdulgafar Olawale (El Labeeb)
In our previous article titled The Trauma Spectrum: Distinguishing between Inherited and NonInherited Trauma, where we began exploring the complex and often misunderstood world of trauma. We analyzed the definitions and differences between inherited and non-inherited trauma which laid the groundwork for a deeper understanding of these distinct forms of trauma.
Unfortunately, space constraints has truncated our discussion at the point of explaining what inherited trauma is. Here in this continuation, the explanations of both forms would be completed and also we would subsequently have the opportunity to examine ways to healing and overcoming both inherited and non-inherited trauma.
In continuation, the historical events that birthed a collective trauma in southeastern of Nigeria which resulted from the brutal suppression of the women’s war that took place in 1929 left a lasting impact on the collective memory and the trauma of the affected communities.
Thirdly, among the listed circumstances that birthed collective trauma in Nigeria is the Ongoing conflicts such as:-Boko Haram insurgency: It is indisputable that the ongoing insurgency by Boko Haram in northeastern Nigeria has resulted in collective trauma, displacement, and ongoing humanitarian crises.
-Fulani-herder conflicts: It is without any doubts that the recurring conflicts between Fulani herders and farming communities in various parts of Nigeria have led to collective trauma, migration, and also chronic insecurity.
Lastly, Social-Economic issues such as: -Human trafficking and modern slavery: The intensive rate of the ongoing human trafficking and modern slavery issues in our Nigeria is so pathetic, leading to a collective trauma, exploitation, and abuse of vulnerable individuals and communities.
However, inherited trauma is not without its Effects, among which are: hyper-vigilance, fears of death or no hope for the future, mistrust of outsiders, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), low self-esteem, issues of addiction, domestic violence, and sexual abuse. studies show that people being affected by these inherited trauma effects may pass on their trauma to their offspring, and so on.
The Passage of Inherited Trauma From One Generation to the Next.
Unresolved trauma can be passed down through many generations until it is resolved. our environments and genetics play an equal role in trauma development and healing.
Intergenerational trauma can be passed down in a number of ways. One of the most common ways is through parenting. Traumatized parents may unintentionally pass on their trauma to their children through their parenting style, behavior, and emotional responses. Children who grow up in this type of environment may develop similar symptoms to their parents, even if they have not experienced the traumatic event themselves, our ancestors also passed down their healing memories and behaviors.
Our Elders have always said, “What we do today will affect the next seven generations.” This means, The Repetitive traumas that happened to our ancestors, as many as seven generations before, can be passed down to our children. Also, another way that Intergenerational traumacan be passed down is through epigenetic changes. These changes can occur when the DNA of a person is altered by their environment.
Traumatic events can cause changes to a person’s DNA that can be passed down to their children and grandchildren. This means that the effects of trauma can be felt for generations, even if the traumatic event occurred many years ago.
However, while experts are still researching the biological factors of inherited trauma, research does offer us a view into how trauma from generations past can impact future generations.
Here are some ways trauma can impact generations: A detailed Research from 2019 found that stress during pregnancy is one way intergenerational trauma can be passed down. Parental stress during pregnancy is associated with children who have:
● Autism spectrum disorders
● Schizophrenia
● Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Studies show some nonbiological ways trauma can be passed down between generations which include:
● Dysfunctional dynamics between you and your family members that result from trauma, such as codependency,unhealthy attachment styles, or parental dissociation
● Family stories of traumatic events
● Memories and photographs
● Letters or heirlooms
A Guide to Overcoming Inherited Trauma and Reclaiming Your Story
Healing trauma is so important, but not easy to do, and certainly it’s something we don’t understand at the biological level. As we’ve known that healing from trauma doesn’t just happen overnight. It can be a long process; for some people, it may be months, and for others, it may take years. However, it is possible to break the cycle of generational trauma in One’s family.
Breaking generational trauma takes intense work and effort. A lot of work still needed to be done here, while more research is also needed to be carried out, below are some paths toward healing to consider.
(1) Discover your family history
Even if you don’t know about the trauma history of your lineage, learning about your family history might help you consider how what your family went through in their lifetimes may or may not have affected you. Here are some research ideas to get you started:
● List the wars, political movements, and other major historical events that your ancestors lived through and consider the ways those events shaped your family.
● Consider the cultural and religious values of certain eras that may have influenced your family’s belief system.
● Make a list of the personal history your ancestors endured and perhaps discuss it with living family members if there is mutual openness and safety. Studying that list may lead to psychological insight.
Studies also reveal that Exploring One’s family Genogram is essential to healing. Such like, what unspoken events shaped your family?
– Loss, war, migration, abuse, or betrayal?
– Secrets, silences, or taboo topics?
Understanding these root events is essential to healing.
(2) Recognize inherited language, Listen for repeating family phrases, suchlike:
● “We never get ahead.”
● “It’s hard to trust people.”
● “Love always ends in pain.”
● “Money doesn’t grow on trees”
These beliefs often reflect unhealed trauma passed down to you generationally.
(3) Finding the root source of the trauma
Identifying the root source of inherited trauma empowers individuals to take control of their healing journey, promoting personal growth and self-awareness. While this identification also gives room to healing ancestral wounds, comprehending the Origin of such inherited trauma allows ones to integrate this knowledge into their identity, promoting a more cohesive and empowered sense of self.
(4) Accepting the trauma
Studies make it known that, Accepting Inherited trauma is a vital step in its healing process, as it allows individuals to acknowledge the pain and suffering they’ve undergone, rather than denying and suppressing it. This Acceptance of it reduces the feelings of shame and guilty by the way of recognizing that the trauma wasn’t their fault. And it will also Enhance the decrease of self-blame, self-criticism and promote a more compassionate and gentle relationship with oneself.
(5) Practicing self-care
Research shows that practicing self-care amidst inherited trauma is so essential in healing from such a trauma.As doing that can create a supportive environment that promotes relaxation, rejuvenation, and renewal. This Self-care Also regulates emotion and manage stress, And also contributes to the improvement of full concentration, by the way of enhancing resilience and coping skills and increasing self-awareness.
(B) NON-INHERITED TRAUMA (PERSONAL, EXPERIMENTAL, SINGLE-INCIDENT, DIRECT TRAUMA)
It would be discovered from the critical perusal of our previous article’s analysis that this segment has been delved into already. It has been said in that article that, Individual trauma results from an event, series of events, or set of circumstances that is personally experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or threatening and that can have lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and physical, social, emotional well-being.
Thus, is a term used to describe the challenging emotional consequences that living through a distressing event can have for an individual. Such Traumatic events can be difficult to define because the same event may be more traumatic for some people than for others.
However, traumatic events experienced early in life, such as abuse, neglect and disrupted attachment, can often be devastating. Equally challenging can be later life experiences that are out of one’s control, such as a serious accident, being the victim of violence, physical or emotional abuse, destructive criticism, living through a natural disaster or war, or sudden unexpected loss.
As Aforementioned, when thoughts and memories of this personal traumatic event don’t go away or get worse, they may lead to Posttraumatic stress disorders (PTSD) which can seriously disrupt a person’s ability to regulate their emotions and maintain healthy relationships.
Causes and Effects of Non-Inherited Trauma.
It has been duly noted that common situations that people find emotionally traumatic Are such as:
● Verbal abuse
● Loss of a loved one
● Bullying
● Living in high-stress areas
● Neglect
● Separation
In Addition,it could also be experienced through being the victim of violence, physical or emotional abuse, destructive criticism, living through a natural disaster or war, or sudden unexpected loss. However, As Aforementioned, The Effects of a Traumatic events are always being felt Emotionally and Mentally:
Emotionally:- Studies show that Effects of emotional trauma can include a range of emotions, such as: flashbacks, fear, sadness, anger, confusion, anxious, nightmares, low self-esteem, depression, hyper-vigilance, Avoidance, relationship problems, behavioral problems, feelings of guilty, feelings of danger, shame, negative changes in thoughts and mood, worthlessness, panic attacks, difficulty regulating emotions. Lastly, emotions often become overwhelming and intense.
Physically:- As Aforementioned, it must be duly noted that One’s body stress response system(BSRS) immediately activates and triggers a cascade of physical reactions whenever one undergoes a traumatic events. physical reactions, such as: headaches, stomachaches, muscle tension, sleep disturbances, increase in heart rate and blood pressure, chronic pain, irritable bowel syndrome. It must be duly noted that symptoms of trauma may go unnoticed or misdiagnosed, further contributing to the long-term effects of trauma on one’s overall health.
A Guide to Healing Non-Inherited Trauma.
It’s natural to be afraid after something scary or dangerous happens. When you feel you’re in danger, your body responds with a rush of chemicals that make you more alert.
This is called the “flight or fight” response. It helps us survive life-threatening events. However, How you react when something traumatic happens, and shortly afterward, can help or delay your recovery.
Which means It’s important to have a coping strategy for getting through the bad feelings of a traumatic event, As studies reveal that A good coping strategy, is finding somebody to talk to about your feelings.
While A bad coping strategy would be turning to alcohol or drugs. So, Having a positive coping strategy and learning something from the situation can help you recover and heal from a traumatic event. Here are the strategies to consider for healing personal trauma :
● Calm yourself: Try meditation or deep breathing exercises. Studies reveal that meditation and breath work which are natural offshoots of mindfulness, can improve stress levels and help you to feel more relaxed and settled in your life. Also, Do physical activity, like walking or yoga.
● Practice self-care/Take care of yourself: Get plenty of sleep, Eat a healthy diet, Drink enough water. As they’re crucial to healthy brain and body functioning. Survivors often struggle with a lot of self-hatred because the traumatic event can lead to feelings of worthlessness and shame, particularly if the survivor believes the trauma is their fault. Practicing all types of self-care can help to combat this self-hatred because it physically reminds you that your body is worthy of feeling good. And how you feel physically can significantly impact how you feel mentally.
● Practice self-awareness: Take care of your body from a place of connection and respect, and pay attention to your emotions and try to identify what you’re feeling, Write down how you’re feeling, what triggered those emotions, how they feel in your body, and what you can do to cope with them in a healthy and self-respecting way.
Studies reveal that Being aware of your trauma triggers is an important part of healing from trauma so that you can manage your exposure to them and regulate yourself better in the aftermath of being surprisingly exposed to a trigger. Once you are aware of your triggers, you can also work on exposure therapy to build your tolerance of the trigger and reduce its impact overall.
● Practice Mindfulness: One act that’s well-proven to support healing is mindfulness. It’s a method of experiencing life where you make a point of paying attention to each moment. You stay present for everything from your thoughts and feelings to how things are for you physically. This helps relieve stress and helpful for healing.
● Be kind to yourself: Practice self-compassion to shift away from self-blame and shame. Recognize that healing is a process, and be patient and kind with yourself as you work towards recovery. Compassion is a skill that can be honed with practice and intention.
● Avoid Recreational Substances Such as using alcohol, drugs, and tobacco: While healing from trauma, it might be incredibly tempting to drink or do drugs. Because recreational substances are addictive and help your brain stop thinking and feeling, this is not the right time for them. You won’t be able to work through your feelings if you’re actively avoiding them by taking substances.
● Notice negative thoughts: It’s common to experience negative thoughts after a traumatic
experience, or when struggling with body image issues. Try to notice these thoughts and
ignore them with the remembrance that thoughts are not facts. They are a passing by
function of your brain that will come and go if you allow them to. Try to notice the thoughts
by saying… “I’m having the thought that…” but ignore them and engage in something that
you value.
● Talk with others about how you feel: Don’t isolate yourself. It’s common to feel shame
about the trauma or develop a fear of people, which can lead to hyper-independent
because of the trauma. However, isolating yourself often reinforces feelings of fear and
shame. surround yourself with people who understand and support you. This can include
trusted friend(s), family member(s), support group(s), or online communities. Having a
strong support system can help you feel less alone and more connected to others and be a
path to healing.
● Set & Achieve Small Goals: Setting and achieving reasonable goals can help you recover
from trauma in many ways. It can help you build self-esteem and remember that you are
capable. It can help you work on regaining functionality in your day-to-day life. It can also
lend a sense of purpose to your day if you are struggling with feelings of hopelessness or
getting out of bed due to depression from the trauma.
● Set Boundaries: It’s important to prioritize your own needs and set boundaries with
people or situations that may trigger you. This can mean saying NO to things that you feel
are not in your best interest, taking breaks when you need them, and choosing to engage with people in your life that are supportive, kind, and capable of showing up for you when
you need them.
● Avoid re-traumatization: Avoid triggers that can cause your flashbacks or retraumatization is crucial in trauma healing process as it creates a sense of safety and
security. And also, it serves as another way of prioritizing your health and ensuring your
well-being. it also Allows individuals to regulate their emotions, develop resilience, build
trust and recall their traumatic memories in a safe and managed settings.
we must make it duly noted that healing from trauma is a journey, and everyone’s journey looks
different. probably if symptoms persist, It’s okay to seek help and support from a specialized
trauma therapist along the way and also ensure to prioritize self- care Because it is also a crucial
part of our healing process.
Distinguishing between Inherited and Non-Inherited Trauma.
Despite sharing some similarities, Inherited and non-Inherited trauma exhibit some distinct
characteristics that set them apart from one another. Key differences which are: Origin,
Consciousness, Family History, Physical Symptoms, Emotional Triggers, Causes and Effects.
Origin:
Inherited
While it’s been duly noted that Intergenerational trauma is a trauma that extends from one
generation to the next. Much like how traditions, heirlooms, hair color, and secret family recipes
get passed down through families, people can also inherit trauma. which occurs through
biological, environmental, psychological, and social means. for example, a trauma experienced by a parent or grandparent can be passed down to future generations because of the way that trauma epigenetically alters genes.
Non-Inherited
Unlike Inherited trauma, Non-Inherited trauma is a Direct traumatic experience that an individual directly encounters or witnesses and can have lasting adverse effects on individual functioning. it isn’t passed down from previous generations.
Consciousness:
Inherited
While inherited trauma is an unconscious patterns referring to the transmission of trauma from ancestors, which can be evinced through implicit memories, emotions, and behaviors without conscious awareness. it can also influence individual’s life without them realizing its connection to ancestral trauma.
Non-Inherited
Non-Inherited Conscious Memories, on the other hand involve the direct experience of trauma, which is consciously recalled and stored in explicit memory. These memories are based on personal experiences and are not inherited from ancestors, and are also allowing individuals to recall specific details and facts about the traumatic event.
Family History:
Inherited
Inherited trauma is linked to family history that’s being passed down through generations and also influenced by some factors like cultural norms, language, and behaviors.
Non-Inherited
Unlike that of Inherited trauma, Non-Inherited trauma on the other hand occurs without a family history, it always be as a result of personal experiences like accidents, abuse, or natural disasters.
Physical Symptoms:
Inherited
As it has been duly noted that, Inherited trauma can be manifested physically without a clear medical cause, through symptoms such as chronic pain, fatigue, anxiety or depression, which can be linked to ancestral experiences.
Non-Inherited
On the other hand, Non-Inherited trauma typically presents itself with physical symptoms that have a clear medical cause, such as injuries from an accident or physical abuse.
Emotional Triggers:
Inherited
Studies reveal that inherited trauma has emotional triggers without even a clear reason, which cause unpredictable reactions.
Non-Inherited
Unlike that of Inherited trauma, Non-Inherited trauma has emotional triggers with a clear reason,
such as a specific event or experience.
Causes and Effects:
Inherited
Inherited trauma often has an unclear cause and effect relationship, whereby emotional triggers and physical symptoms will just emerge without a direct link to a specific event.
Non-Inherited
On the other hand, it must be duly noted that Non-Inherited trauma typically has a clear cause
and effect relationship, where the direct experience leads to physical and emotional symptoms.
Conclusion
Trauma spectrum is such a complex and multifaceted phenomenon, which encompasses both Inherited and Non-Inherited as its two distinct forms with their unique characteristics. It is so important to understand the differences in between these two forms as a way of providing
effective support and treatment. In conclusion, Inherited trauma is such a trauma that can be passed down through generations, having long lasting impacts and affecting family dynamics and individual well-being. While Non-Inherited trauma on the other hand results from direct experiences, having a clear cause and effect relationship. Both forms require sensitive and informed approaches.The understanding of the impacts of both forms can help break the cycles of pain and suffering, and also inform strategies for building resilience and promoting healing.
