An Overview of Intergenerational Trauma
Studies have shown traumatic experiences pass down through generations through a concept called intergenerational trauma. What this means is that you could be experiencing trauma that is not yours.
Trauma is the specific emotional response to frightening and stressful events from the past. You cannot live a healthy life doing regular activities with ruminating thoughts associated with past traumatic events. The behavioral and emotional reactions of a person, affected by specific oppressive events can be inherited by the next generation. This is known as intergenerational trauma or multigenerational trauma. This type of intergenerational trauma affects the DNA of the person witnessing traumatic events, which gets passed down to future generations
The sources of trauma can be of different types like natural disasters, war, genocide, abuse, discrimination, historical injustices, and the like. The most common consequence of trauma on people is ‘Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)’. As per the Government report, more than 20% of the 9/11 survivors developed PTSD symptoms. There is a high possibility that the next generation of survivors will be affected by intergenerational trauma. Shakti Therapy & Healing Services offers personalized EMDR therapy, tailored to the Culver City community to ensure better mental health.
The salient features of intergenerational trauma include the following:
1. Possibilities of developing depression and anxiety disorders
2. PTSD and negative thoughts
3. Tendency to avoid free discussion about the trauma
4. Inadequate coping mechanisms
Rise of Trauma in Culver City
In Culver City, there have been concerns raised by parents regarding an increase in trauma as a direct result of bullying, violence, and racism in schools. The Culver City Unified School District has acknowledged these concerns and is working on providing mental health support by partnering with therapy practices such as Shakti Therapy & Healing Services. These steps have reportedly led to a significant reduction in the number of fights at schools. People in Culver City may carry the heavy burdens of past traumatic events affecting the regular lives of the next generations.
In addition, Culver City's overall crime rate is considerably higher than the national average, which acts as a direct source of trauma. According to Neighborhood Scout, the chance of becoming a victim in Culver City is relatively high compared to the state and national levels. These incidents and statistics suggest that trauma responses and emotional distress are considerably high in Culver City in comparison to national averages.
Role of EMDR in Treating Intergenerational Trauma in Culver City
EMDR stands for eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), which gained enormous popularity after being initiated by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the 1980s. It helps recollect the lost pieces of past trauma to strengthen the coping mechanism and get rid of the sudden triggers of negative thoughts. Sometimes traumatic experiences generate distressing memories which impairs memory recollection. Until all the pieces of those traumatic events are recollected, people cannot get back to normal life and experience true happiness.
EMDR is based on the theories of Adaptive Information Processing and Bilateral Stimulation. Supported by your brain’s protective mechanism, you tend to block the parts of traumatic events as a survival response to be able to get through life. But the memory is stored in your brain affecting your belief system and coping mechanism. Leveraging eye movement strategies, EMDR helps process and integrate distressing memories.
Do not let negative thoughts ruin your happiness and positive energy. Take advantage of the correct psychotherapy in Culver City at the right time to embrace your full potential. Book a free consultation at Shakti Therapy & Healing Services where you will find compassionate professionals to help you out in your journey of trauma recovery. Get a clear insight into the benefits of EMDR therapy and the number of sessions you require by talking to our professionals. Get introduced to your inner potential to cope with negative thoughts.
Ektha Aggarwal is an experienced licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and Founder of Shakti Therapy and Healing Services.
Shakti Therapy is a holistic & psychotherapeutic mental health clinic. We realize that we are an integral part of the vast and complex web of life - that the health of the whole is intimately connected with the health of the individual. Shakti Therapy combines both ancient Eastern & the most up to date scientific modalities, to create a basis of connection - mind to body, human to nature, individual to community, physical to spiritual, past to present to future.
To learn more about Shakti Therapy and Healing services, please visit www.shaktitherapyhealing.com