We’ve talked about how many (but not all) traumatic experiences actually begin with something that occurred during a person’s childhood. These experiences can happen during the formative teenage years, during the elementary school years, or even during infancy. There are countless stories out there about children who were mistreated, abused or neglected by their parents, and even when these offenses are relatively “minor,” they can be harmful, both during childhood and on into adulthood.
In many cases, patients are diagnosed with a wide range of psychiatric illnesses when they present with certain behaviors. Bipolar disorder, depression, attention deficit disorder and even substance abuse disorders all seem to be the go-to diagnoses for many practitioners. However, when trauma is present, these diagnoses do nothing to get to the heart of the issues at hand.
It Must be in the Genes, Right?
It seemed natural to assume that behaviors like acting out with rage, withdrawing from social situations or experiencing consistent mood swings must come from some type of genetic disposition. For that reason, scientists began researching genes to find the link that would give them some answers. Millions of dollars have been spent on this type of research, and no conclusive link has been found for any mental illness, whatsoever. This discovery left scientists with a lot of questions, as you can imagine.
- Why do some types of mental illnesses seem to run in families?
- How is it that traumatic stress and responses flow from one generation to the next?
- How can we break the cycle of trauma without genetic answers?
Understanding Gene Expression
During their research, scientists did discover some important things about genes. They are not “fixed” at all, and life events can change their behaviors easily. As an individual experiences an event (whether it’s good or bad), biochemical messages can be triggered that can make the genes more or less sensitive. This is a process that’s called methylation, and while the genes themselves aren’t necessarily inherited, the methylation process can be inherited.
Single Traumatic Events vs. Traumatic Histories
It’s important to note that in most cases, single traumatic events produce a different outcome than multiple traumatic events, as far as gene expression goes. It’s nearly impossible to get through life without experiencing some sort of trauma. For example, for a child, witnessing an accident or being bitten by a dog can be traumatic, and these occurrences may very well result in a diagnosis of PTSD. Even so, this type of diagnosis is generally treated easier than it would be for someone who has a history of trauma with no positive support system at home.
For children who grow up troubled, and who come from homes where they’ve been neglected, misused or mistreated, it’s more difficult to discern the root of their trauma, which can make it much harder to help them. Of course, this carries on into adulthood, and it takes consistent effort and a determined professional to get to the root of the issues.
If you’re struggling because of a traumatic event that occurred in your life, it’s possible that you’re not even sure what that event is. While your genes do play a role in trauma, the damage that has been done can be treated effectively if it’s done in the right way. I can help you work through the issues you’re facing to help you find the healing you desire. Please contact me if you’d like to make an appointment.
