Complex Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Did you know butterflies and moths can retain memories through metamorphosis? It seems they can also pass down certain memories generationally. We also know that mice exposed to maternal trauma in utero exhibit significant, lasting biological and behavioral changes such as increased anxiety, reduced social interaction, and altered brain development. This is shown to be passed down through many generations. Transgenerational trauma (what we call "generational trauma") in humans is still being studied, but the idea is that major traumatic events such as war, systemic racism, forced migration, systemic poverty, sexual abuse and severe childhood abuse can induce epigentic changes that may influence stress responses in offspring and subsequent generations. This made me think about my own lineage and what traumas may have been passed down generationally. I was raised by my Oma who was a young girl when she was forced out of her home in Germany after WWII and placed in a camp to be "sorted" (something they probably didn't teach you about in school). I'm unable to trace my lineage back any further than her parents, but I've had significantly better luck with my father's side. My father wants nothing to do with me, but I'm a curious person, so I've been deep-diving into his mother's lineage. I just received an email from an archivist at The Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museum (Scotland) that confirms at least one of my grandmothers was an "Aberdeen witch" who was accused and put on trial in 1597, but then acquitted of all charges a year later. She survived, my Oma survived, their mothers and daughters survived, and now here I am. I've had 2 children and I'd like to believe the trauma stopped with me, but I know it hasn't considering my own past. So, where does the trauma end? Is it even possible to end generational trauma? I'm curious to know what others think about this. Thoughts?

If you've read this whole thing, thanks for sticking around, lol.

#MentalHealth #Anxiety #PTSD #Depression #Trauma #ComplexPosttraumaticStressDisorder

In contrast to my last post, something a bit brighter. Took this photo of an oak tree through a glass bobble and thought it turned out cool. Been trying to slow down and take a lot more photos recently. How are you doing out there?

#MentalHealth #ADHD #Autism #Anxiety #Depression #SocialAnxiety #Trauma #ComplexPosttraumaticStressDisorder #PanicAttacks #GeneralizedAnxietyDisorder #MightyTogether