![]() Adults often keep secrets from children because they believe the truth will harm them. Sharing stories and experiences can help break the cycle of silence and secrecy that often surrounds trauma. Open and honest communication within families is crucial. We will never avoid all of our triggers or activations of our trauma responses, but we know we are healing when we get triggered and have the ability to choose an adaptive response. When we become aware of this cycle repeating itself, we know when and where to interrupt it. For example, if you can’t tolerate a child crying, perhaps you were shamed for crying as a child, and now, whenever you hear a child cry, you become angry and shut them down, too. Adults are often activated into trauma responses when they witness children experiencing life as they did as a child. One way to identify your intergenerational trauma is to pay attention to what upsets while caregiving or parenting. This awareness helps to separate the past from the present and empowers people to make positive changes in their lives. We can’t begin to heal what we don’t acknowledge. By acknowledging the pain and suffering that has been passed down, individuals and families can begin the process of healing. The first step in breaking the cycle of intergenerational trauma is recognizing its existence. My daughter will still have her struggles, traumas, and negative memories of me as her mother, but what she will also have is me to sit beside her in it, to love her without expecting anything in return, and to admit the mistakes I’ve made. It is draining and exhausting at times, but completely worth it. I am doing the work to make sure I break patterns and unhealthy belief systems handed down to me by my ancestors. I know firsthand what it’s like to be a cycle-breaker. While these traumas might not be directly experienced by the current generation, the emotional scars are carried forward, shaping behavior, beliefs, and even physical health. These traumas can take many forms, from the historical trauma experienced by marginalized communities, such as Indigenous peoples and African Americans, to the more personal, family-based traumas like emotional neglect, addiction, or violence. Intergenerational trauma occurs when the emotional, psychological, and sometimes physical wounds of previous generations continue to influence the lives of their descendants. ![]() In this newsletter, we'll explore intergenerational trauma and provide insights into how to break the chains of trauma. However, the good news is that the cycle can be broken, and healing is possible. New research shows that epigenetic changes are measurable in people impacted by the holocaust and the terrorist attacks on 9/11. ![]() This phenomenon has gained increased attention in recent years as we better understand the profound impact of past traumas on our lives today. Intergenerational trauma, often referred to as ancestral or transgenerational trauma, is a concept that recognizes how traumatic experiences can be passed down through generations, affecting not only individuals but entire families and communities. It will take place in the first half of 2024. Buque´’s new book, and she WILL join us at the event to introduce herself and hear our feedback! Stay tuned to future newsletters and my social media for the registration link to this event. ![]() I am planning another Trauma Book Chat on Dr. I highly recommend you follow her and preorder her new book, Break the Cycle: A Guide to Healing Intergenerational Trauma. Mariel Buqué, and she's a world renowned specialist in intergenerational trauma. Welcome to the November CTN! I can barely find the words to express how excited I am for you to learn more about my Trauma Champion of the Month.
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