“Responding to the worst humanitarian crisis of our time!” Quote from this link article…
Trauma is trans-generational
“In recent weeks a study about the genetic affect trauma has been released. Untreated trauma creates enduring anxiety, fear, instability, and hopelessness, fertile ground for reactionaries and extremists. So the most horrifying results of today’s conflicts may be visible only in the future, as hundreds of thousands of children and young people who grew up amidst chronic fear, violence and disruption become adults.
Whatever our politics, there is no ignoring the fact that the number of conflicts in the world (not just in the Middle East) is growing. If we care for the future of our children, all children, we need to give proper care to those who are suffering today.”
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I have been researching and writing about this topic since 2011, including publishing 3 books and on-going work through my blog, Children and Families in Life after Trauma. We now know enough about the inter-generational effects of post traumatic stress on children and families, that it is possible with enough awareness and education of treatment strategies to break the cycle of pain for future generations. It is time to focus on taking care of the children and families who are exposed to war, poverty, famine, toxic families and crime affected neighborhoods, especially children before they reach age 6. Research shows that after age 6 treating symptoms of post traumatic stress is highly difficult and often requires a retrofit healing strategy… The very best outcome is finding a path of healing that is a work in progress for a very long time.
From my own experience growing up in a highly toxic and sometimes violent childhood, never assume your kids are resilient. Children inhale the pain of parents, other family members, and friends. Kids are very often silent and avoid confrontation, but the emotional pain sticks like bad genes. Even worse are the long term post trauma effects of abused children, who eventually need to find a path of healing and peace of mind. I waited until age 64 to finally address the roots of my own traumatic childhood and life-long anger, depression and anxiety that lived in my heart, mind, and soul for decades.
Steve Sparks, Author, Reconciliation: A Son’s Story and My Journey of Healing in Life after Trauma, Part 1&2… Click the highlighted text for my author page…
