Transgenerational trauma and EMDR

The global burden of trauma in the 21st century is a phenomenon that cannot be overstated. Today the world is facing an unprecedented number of humanitarian emergencies brought about through the consequences of human atrocities and natural disasters. At this present moment the number of refugees and internally displaced persons is at its highest level since the Second World War. One of the inevitable consequences of conflict is its ability to generate vast numbers of people vulnerable to the effects of psychological trauma – namely traumatic stress. Definitions of traumatic stress lack consensus; however, trauma is an emotional response to a terrible event such as an accident, rape or natural disaster of which typical post-event symptoms include shock, denial, unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships and even physical symptoms like headaches or nausea. However, in prolonged conflict, trauma experiences are more repetitive and frequently compounded by factors such as denial, secrecy, retribution and revenge.

Magazine

English

Derek Farrell

Farrell, D. (2015, Winter). Transgenerational trauma and EMDR. Private Practice, 35-36