“I can’t believe this. This wasn’t supposed to happen. [I saw him] and 15 minutes later, my baby was gone. All because he was enjoying a race with some other kids.”
Brittani Frierson, mother of 10-year boy shot and killed by another 10-year boy, Sacramento CA. 01.03.24
“We are very strong …blue jay strong, Iowa strong… We will get through this …. because we have each other. We are a unique both of blue jays….”
Unidentified person speaking at the vigil in the aftermath of the school shooting, Perry, Iowa. 01.05.24.
The Permanence of Trauma
Trauma does not go away by
Simply pushing it to the back of your …
mind.
It is a thief that lurks around until it
finds an open door. It flashes. It
screams as it leaps into my soul.
It is a thief that steals in the day or in the…
night.
Enough is never enough.
It steals and steals and steals.
It plucks and sucks the life …slowly
From me.
(Dr. Micheal Kane)
My Dear Readers,
We are now in the beginning of the new year: 2024. As we move forward there is intense shock impacting black, brown and white communities throughout this nation.
On January 3, 2024, in Sacramento, CA, a black boy, 10 years old, was shot and killed by another black boy. The offense? The shooter was upset that he lost a bike race, retrieved a firearm from his father’s vehicle … shooting and killing the winner of the bike race.
On January 5, 2024, in Perry, IA, a 17-year-old student opened fire killing a sixth grader, wounding five others, and taking his own life. The incident occurred on the first day of students returning from their winter holiday break.
Our children are experiencing intense stressors. It is a reality that psychological trauma can occur without notice, at any time and in any community. The intent of this writing is to provide the readership with a guide to conceptualizing and understanding trauma, its permeance and transmission.
And understanding what our children are responding to…as parents, family, friends, professionals, and community… it is important for them to know that we are all there to extend love… help…encouragement …and support.
Our Children: Black, Brown & White
It can be psychologically overwhelming for children across the country to be impacted either personally, through witnessing these horrible events and news reports, or with repetitive reviewing through social media.
There are several concerns to be addressed in this blog writing:
- Understanding the differences in subtypes of psychological trauma
- Recognition of symptoms and effects
- Healing – The Identification of Responses & Self-Help Resources
Psychological Trauma
Psychological trauma is the one emotional and psychological construct that, regardless of social or cultural basis, has common themes for all groups: impacts, reactions, and responses.
There are three major main types of traumas: Acute, Chronic, and Complex
- Acute trauma results from a single incident.
- Chronic trauma is repeated and prolonged such as domestic violence or abuse.
- Complex trauma is exposure to varied and multiple traumatic events, often of an invasive, interpersonal nature.
Permeance is defined as the condition or quality of being permanent, perpetual, or continual existence. The clinical conceptualization of permeance is the property of being able to exist for an indefinite duration. Therefore, intergenerational trauma and transgenerational trauma should be defined and differenced.
Trauma via Transmission: Intergenerational or Transgenerational
Generational trauma is caused by extreme events, abuses, or prolonged periods of difficult times.
Trauma is believed to pass from one generation to the next through genetic changes to a person’s DNA after they experience trauma. Furthermore, there is evidence that these genetic markers are passed on to a person’s offspring.
Features of Generational Trauma
- Transmission of trauma
- Psychological & Emotional impact
- Cultural & Behavioral patterns
- Epigenetic changes
- Social & Economic disparities
Definitions and Differing Transmissions of Trauma
Intergenerational Trauma occurs when the effects are passed down between generations. Specifically, this transmission occurs when the original traumatic experience is transferred from parents to children, and then grandchildren and so on. This is thought to be a result of learned behaviors and alternations to the internal workings with the changes in the body due to stress.
Common causes of this form of trauma can include:
- Domestic violence
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
Transgenerational Trauma occurs when transmission is passed down to descendants who have not been directly exposed to the identified trauma.
Therefore, the difference is in intergenerational trauma, the trauma gets passed down from those who directly experienced the incident whereas in transgenerational trauma the descendants were not directly exposed to the incident.
Symptoms of Trauma: Intergenerational & Transgenerational
- Lack of trust of others
- Anger
- Irritability
- Nightmares
- Fearfulness
- Inability to connect with others.
The Effects of Intergenerational Trauma &Transgenerational Trauma
- Shame
- Increased anxiety
- Guilt
- Heighten sense of vulnerability
- Helplessness.
Healing – Identification of Responses & Self-Help Resources
The Six Stages of Healing from Generational Trauma
- Pre-awareness – lack of prior awareness of the concept of generational trauma
- Uncovering – becoming aware, having knowledge, and understanding of the concept of generational trauma
- Digging in – occurs facing the reality of generational trauma being a difficult problem.
- Healing – the process of restoring to emotional state.
- Understanding – the ability to comprehend the permeance of generational trauma.
- Nurturing – the want to provide care for and encourage the growth or development during stress associated with generational trauma.
What Can I Do? Coping with Traumatic Stress
First, accept your reactions. Then, be responsive by doing the following:
- Lean on your loved ones. Identify friends and family for support.
- Prioritize self-care. Do your best to eat nutritious meals, get regular physical activity, and consistent sleep.
- Understand your own needs, be accepting of professional assistance such as counseling and psychotherapy.
- Be patient. It is normal to want to avoid feelings associated with a traumatic event.
Considerations – Further Questions
- How hard is it to break the cycle of generational trauma?
The mental health profession has been hesitant to provide either directions or a clear, meaningful response to this question. The response often provided has been … “it’s complicated.”
It has been my opinion that trauma has permanence. Therefore, my focus has been on treating the psychological wounds and in doing so, allowing the treated wound to solidify, serving as a foundation of healing when generational transmission of trauma becomes reality. I believe when the focus is on “breaking the cycle” of transmission, treatment is misplaced, not allowing the individual to focus on any current psychological wound but rather on the possibility of upcoming transmission in which future impact is not defined.
- Can a person be healed from generational trauma?
Without question, generational trauma, due to its ability to strike without warming, is scary. However, in understanding the permeance of trauma, the individual can develop strategies that are proactive and responsive. Such strategies would include open and honest communications with loved ones and an appreciation (belief… faith… trust) in the psychological self’s ability to respond to the psychological impacts of the trauma and achieve emotional wellness.
Concluding Statement by Dr. Kane
Psychological trauma is cruel. It is non-caring and everlasting. Psychological trauma has no respect for age, gender, race, or community. It strikes without notice or mercy. Psychological trauma has permanence. It never… ever goes away.
And yet, one must never reject the essence of the human spirit and that of our children to not accept defeat but rather achieve driving (empowerment), striving (setting the pace and distance) and thriving (achieving goals and objections) to respond the traumatic impacts and return to normal emotional functioning.
“And understanding what our children are responding to…as parents, family, friends, professionals, and community… it is important for them to know that we are all there to extend love… help…encouragement …and support. “
Best regards,
Dr. Kane
My Dear Readers,
As we enter the year 2024, I wanted to provide some insight into the direction of the blog for this year.
It was intention last year to write consistently however, with my recent health challenges, I have been limited in my ability to do so. I am once again facing similar health challenges and will do what I can to provide you with insight as to the work I have passion for and the topics that bring substance to the human condition. My upcoming 2024 travels and blog topics will include:
– The Lynching Memorial – The National Memorial for Peace & Justice (Montgomery, AL)
– The Wereth 11 Massacre, Battle of The Bulge 1944 (Wereth, Belgium)
– The Black German Memorial (Berlin, Germany)
I have been questioned more than once as to my reasons for traveling to trauma related sites. Blog postings on traumatic related materials speak to the heart of my clinical work. I view my travels to sites (domestic and international) that speak to and acknowledged mankind’s inhumanity as my responsibility to bear witness and pass on such information to others so we may understand the permeance of trauma which never, ever goes away. I am bound and honoring the words of George Santayana who stated:
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
I am reminded of a poem that I once wrote….
Returning to the Scene of the Crime
I want to return to the scene of the crime.
I do not want to go back.
Going back can bring pain, suffering, and
unresolved memories
Returning, I am armed with wisdom and
knowledge,
which I now take to the future.
I am empowered.
Whatever I was, I am no longer.
The past is what was.
It cannot be recovered.
I live for today. To understand and uncover
I seek the tomorrow.
To explore and discover…
Self
Dr. Micheal Kane
Standing Alone… The Unspoken Truth
Loving Me More 