什麼是代際創傷？What is generational trauma?

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代際創傷是什麼？

創傷通常指的是對災難性事件的不良情緒和身體反應。代際創傷是一種通過生物學、環境、心理學和社會事件傳遞下來的創傷。這種創傷可以在家庭內多代人之間傳遞，例如從祖父母到父母再到你自己。

代際創傷有哪些影響？

代際創傷的一些跡象和症狀包括：

情緒困擾：缺乏自我價值、情感脫離、消極思想、羞愧

行為模式：避免衝突、責怪他人、易於吸毒、暴飲暴食、工作過度等

應對機制：不尋求幫助、避免感受、自我傷害和孤立

遭受代際創傷的人可能還會發展出如下健康狀況：

焦慮

抑鬱

心臟病

創傷後壓力症候群（PTSD）

代際創傷是如何產生和傳遞的？

代際創傷通常是由影響特定群體的歷史事件或文化經歷引起的。例如，經歷過戰爭、種族滅絕或被迫遷移的家庭可能在養育孩子時承受這些創傷性事件的重擔，改變他們的行為或思維方式。

代際創傷甚至可能源於表觀遺傳變化，即由於創傷性經歷而導致的人的DNA變化。這些變化然後被傳給他們的孩子。例如，經歷了9/11的孕婦易患低皮質醇水平並發展為PTSD，這一特徵也在他們的孩子身上觀察到。

導致代際創傷的其他一些事件包括：

身體、情感和性虐待

種族主義

歧視

童年期間的不良經歷

悲傷和失落

應對策略和康復

代際創傷沒有特定的診斷。然而，這一現象在心理學家和精神健康專業人士中被廣泛接受。如果你正經歷代際創傷的創傷症狀，醫療保健提供者可以使用心理健康篩查。這項篩查包括一系列關於你的日常行為的問題，如食慾、感覺、心情和睡眠。然後他們可能會把你轉介給心理學家或精神病醫生來診斷焦慮、抑鬱或PTSD等心理疾病。

代際創傷的康復路徑對每個人來說都不同。許多人選擇心理治療或談話療法，它可以通過識別創傷是什麼以及如何有效應對來減輕創傷的影響。談話療法可以涉及個人和家庭治療。

由於代際創傷通常與一個人的文化背景有關，尋找能夠識別你特定文化的規範和信仰的心理健康專業人員非常有幫助。

許多心理健康小組專門訓練並致力於服務亞洲或中國群體。這樣的資源目錄可在我們的網站上找到：

https://mhacc-usa.org/non-crisis-resource

如果你認為代際創傷影響了你的生活，我們鼓勵你尋求任何形式的支持。你並不孤單！

參考文章和視頻：

Video/視頻

走出抑鬱，破解代際創傷，“丟臉”文化对心理健康的負面影響/Wendy's Journey: Generational Trauma, Asian Culture Impacts

https://youtu.be/WGd_rPmqvW4?si=kTw1u6Gl3mqRsqdD

电影「青春變形記」：揭開代際創傷之痛，尋求治癒：

https://youtu.be/UNMv6ihS07M?si=TY8RlVOKMKOcx9tl

继承创伤的感觉是什么：

https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s?__biz=MzIzNjEwMjQ5Nw==&mid=2247484545&idx=1&sn=61bcf909c57827207d66eb02747583f1&chksm=e8ddb28fdfaa3b990585f86616ebfd4f579305557761022c3b28702ad03e9db34923e37e04c4#rd

在中文中，我们有一个“丢脸”的概念，这就是我用笔名写这篇文章的原因：

https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s?__biz=MzIzNjEwMjQ5Nw==&mid=2247484244&idx=1&sn=8f8d47435ee48acf3ebf9f76393a56c8&chksm=e8ddb55adfaa3c4ccdac7544e9f76b3ec8f359427b53edf4c9430d170859cddf85107bddd119#rd

What is generational trauma?

Trauma generally refers to adverse emotional and physical responses to a devastating event. Generational trauma is a type of trauma that is passed down through biological, environmental, psychological, and social means. This can be passed down over a span of multiple generations within a family, such as from grandparents to parents to yourself.

What are the effects of generational trauma?

Some signs and symptoms of generational trauma include:

• Shared emotional distress: lack of self worth, emotional detachment, negative thoughts, shame
• Shared behavioral patterns: avoiding conflicts, blaming others, susceptibility to drug usage, overeating, overworking, and more
• Shared coping mechanisms: not asking for help, avoiding feelings, self harm, and isolation

Those who suffer from generational trauma may also develop health conditions such as:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Heart Disease
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

How is generational trauma created and transferred?

Generational trauma is often caused by historical events or shared cultural experiences that have profoundly affected a particular group of people. For example, families who have endured war, genocide, or forced migration may carry the weight of these traumatic events as they raise their children, altering their behavior or the way they think. 

Generational trauma can even stem from epigenetic changes, or shifts in a person’s DNA due to traumatic experiences. These changes are then passed down to one’s children. For instance, pregnant women who experienced 9/11 were susceptible to low cortisol levels and developed PTSD, a trait that is also observed in their children.

Some other examples of events that can result in generational trauma include:

• Physical, emotional, and sexual abuse
• Racism
• Discrimination
• Adverse experiences during childhood
• Grief and loss

Coping Strategies and Healing

There is no specific diagnosis of generational trauma. Still, the phenomenon is well-accepted amongst psychologists and health professionals. If you are experiencing symptoms of generational trauma, a healthcare provider can use a mental health screening. This screening consists of a set of questions about your day-to-day behaviors, such as appetite, feelings, mood, and sleep. They may then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to diagnose mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD.

The path towards healing from generational trauma is different for everyone. An option that many look to is psychotherapy or talk therapy, which can lessen the effects of trauma by recognizing what it is and how to effectively cope with it. Talk therapy can involve individual and family therapy.

Because generational trauma is commonly tied with one’s cultural background, seeking mental health professionals that are competent at recognizing your specific culture’s norms and beliefs is incredibly helpful. 

Many mental health groups are specially trained and dedicate themselves to serving Asian or Chinese groups. A catalog of such resources are available on our website at the link below:

https://mhacc-usa.org/non-crisis-resource 

We encourage you to seek any kind of support if you believe generational trauma is impacting your life. You are not alone!

Sources

Credit: Joyce Hesselberth

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-parents-rsquo-trauma-leaves-biological-traces-in-children/ 

https://www.health.com/condition/ptsd/generational-trauma#toc-examples-of-generational-trauma 

https://www.liberationhealingseattle.com/blog-trauma-therapist/generational-trauma-asian-families#:~:text=In%20Asian%20families%2C%20generational%20trauma,ways%20within%20the%20family%20unit. 

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-parents-rsquo-trauma-leaves-biological-traces-in-children/