Though many families believe it’s okay to repress generational trauma, families should be honest about their emotional damage to younger generations, as studies show unhealthy family dynamics increase the risk for mental health issues and epigenetic changes dramatically.
The relationship between a child and their parents can determine how they learn to process emotions. In Lela Moore’s article, she describes how many parents hide information because they think children are too young and immature to handle it. On the contrary, there are bad events everywhere in the world, and it's important to learn how to cope with them. In an article written by Nicole pharmacy, she discusses this dynamic and its effect…show more content… Epigenetic changes are not the same as genetic changes. While genetic changes directly alter your body’s DNA, epigenetic changes specifically change how your body reads DNA. In Gillespie’s study of those impacted by epigenetic changes due to trauma, survivors and their children were likely to have their FKBP5 gene (which controls how your body responds to stress) altered. In another 20-year study, researchers found that trauma and epigenetic changes create complications in the development of the brain (“Hidden Burdens”). Without acknowledgement of these epigenetic changes, trauma survivors continue to stay in the same habits, even if they harm their peace of mind. It’s important to take a turn in the right direction and learn to adapt to your body instead of rejecting…show more content… If not dealt with immediately, it only gets harder to resolve generational trauma as the number of those affected increases. When problems go untreated, it sets standards for those around you. Researchers have concluded that living in silence alongside others strikes fear and shame for those who wish to resolve them. This is especially confusing to children as over time, this state becomes the “norm” or “default” way to process emotions (“Hidden Burdens”). It is especially common in older generations to adopt this “silent” mentality. Even if they were the most affected by traumatic events, such as war or discrimination, many choose not to speak openly about trauma. Nobody should feel selfish for prioritizing themselves over their family. In fact, studies show it's beneficial to do so. If a family member is anything less than their full health, it causes hardships for the entire family, even if they’re able to be physically present, (“How Parents Affect”). Since children are led by example, this teaches younger generations to further adopt this mentality and decrease the chance of families finding the support they
