Posted on Jan 9, 2014
CH (CPT) Heather Davis
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Traumatic childhood is a form of childhood PTSD? I would often lose my temper and have reactionary behavior this prevented me from being able to think methodical. I found out later I had intergenerational PTSD.
Edited 12 y ago
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Responses: 10
CW2 Joseph Evans
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A firm believer in it, which you know since we have made similar exchanges on other threads.
But to think it goes down to the DNA in a single generation or two is a little presumptuous. I recognize environmental impacts on Extra-DNA chemistry and RNA which have been known to impact emotional stability and brain chemistry. Chemistry which can force suppressed genetic markers to the top in successive generations if not countered early enough with treatment.
An interesting study for intergenerational PTSD may be the history and cultures of reservation bound Native Americans and their persistent persecution by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. As children and Grandchildren of WW II, Korean and Vietnam wars, the problem is still relatively fresh in terms of an intergenerational aspect compared to the descendents of the "Indian" Wars.
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CH (CPT) Heather Davis
CH (CPT) Heather Davis
12 y
<p>Chief:</p><p><br></p><p>When I was a child I was a worrier and I was aggressive and lacked interpersonal skills. I would get frustrated very easy and was considered hyperactive.</p><p><br></p><p>The research that I have read shows the following:</p><p><br></p><p><span lang="EN" style='line-height: 120%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: HE;'><font color="#000000">Children
of&nbsp; parents with PTSD have higher risk of emotional, behavioral, academic
and interpersonal problems (Lev-Weisel, 2007).The children exhibits more
depression, anxiety, aggressiveness, act out, poor attitude towards others,
delinquent behavior, hyperactivity, practice self -destructive behavior and
have more difficulties forming and maintaining positive relationships.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2000) children of
Vietnam veterans with PTSD are more likely to use drugs and alcohol and they
are also three times more likely to attempt suicide than children from the
general population. Feeling disappointed, unsupported, unloved, rejected by a
parent who is emotionally numb, detached, psychologically absence and/or avoids
places/people/activities due to high anxiety may cause low self- esteem,
intensifies anxiety and depression and also reduces the child’s ability to
relate to others (Ruscio, Weathers, King, &amp; King, 2002). Irritability, low
frustration tolerance and aggressive behavior of the parent can lead the child
to question his own behavior and in extreme cases of violence even own
self-worth. It naturally also increases the probability of the child becoming
aggressive himself and developing a academic and interpersonal problems in
school (Harkness,1993). Some children realize that the parent is not able to
function well and they take over the parenting role. </font></span></p>
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CH (CPT) Heather Davis
CH (CPT) Heather Davis
12 y
One of the most compelling arguments I’ve read supporting the intergenerational transference of PTSD is by Ken O’Brien, who cites several researchers, (Yehuda, et al) who have studied cortisol levels in PTSD sufferers and their children and have likely discovered bio-markers that support the argument that PTSD is genetically based and therefore heritable.
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MAJ Derrick J.
MAJ Derrick J.
>1 y
DNA isn't the issue - the Family Transmission process is real and intergenerational.

Go to this thread for more info:

http://www.rallypoint.com/answers/re-cpt-davis-discussions-about-ptsd-trauma-and-related-concerns
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SSgt Forensic Meteorological Consultant
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Yes, I think this is so true.   Without going into detail,  I think I feel much of what my dad did.   There are neurological issues that seem to run in the family.
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CH (CPT) Heather Davis
CH (CPT) Heather Davis
12 y
<p>SSGT. Olson,</p><p><br></p><p>You are not alone it is a genetic chemical that is passed down. That is why it is called intergenerational PTSD. If you inbox me I will send you papers that I wrote on this topic. </p><p><br></p><p>I bring it up because I have it and I have discovered many generational military families have it and do not know the serious impact.</p>
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CH (CPT) Heather Davis
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http://drsharongalor.wordpress.com/2012/04/17/the-impact-of-ptsd-on-the-children-intergenerational-transmission-of-trauma/
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Are you familiar with intergenerational PTSD?
2LT Aeromedical Evacuation
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Edited >1 y ago
Ma'am,
I recently wrote a paper on the effects of PTSD on Families. I posted it in a Google Doc if anyone is interested. I mostly focused on the impact a parent suffering from PTSD can have on a family.

https://docs.google.com/a/rallypoint.com/document/d/1rfDOvEBXyaanYUuvCqwq1eveJWH16-rsnE9mURmQf3w/edit

(Some of the formatting/spelling might have gotten messed up in the transition from word)
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CH (CPT) Heather Davis
CH (CPT) Heather Davis
>1 y
1LT McConville:

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I like to use Rally Point to promote awareness on real time issues.
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CMC Robert Young
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Ma'am, this was a new term for me, but having read the other responses, I assume now that it is similar to personality disorders found in the children of alcoholic or drug addicted parents. Simply being reared in an environment where the dysfunctional behavior is prevalent, the child adopts it as "normal" behavior not recognizing that it is actually not typical. Am I drawing the appropriate conclusion?


Thanks for the information.

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CH (CPT) Heather Davis
CH (CPT) Heather Davis
12 y
Complex PTSD symptoms are connected with
exposure to multiple traumas, especially in early childhood. The relationship
between accumulated exposure to childhood abuse and childhood molestation
increase PTSD symptoms later in life in the individual. The presence of
multiple traumatic events in an individual’s life, childhood sexual abuse,
physical abuse, and neglect lead to long-term cognitive effects. The perceptive
and emotional component compounds the functional brain activity that is
instrumental in self-regulation, in anger-management, dissociative symptoms,
and social and avoidant behaviors.
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CH (CPT) Heather Davis
CH (CPT) Heather Davis
12 y

Master Chief:


Respectfully, when military members, tell their vivid stories, this impacts the children. The development period of five years and younger take on the emotional and behavioral tendencies.


I had repressed memories, and my Father unknowing hindered his children's development by bringing the war home.


child abuse due to the stressors of combat connects childhood trauma and the vicious cycle that has impacted 43.3% among the suicide cases and 64.7% identified by the Department of Defense Suicide Event report.


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CMC Robert Young
CMC Robert Young
12 y
Tracking you ma'am. Good information.
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CH (CPT) Heather Davis
CH (CPT) Heather Davis
12 y

Master Chief:


Respectfully as leaders we have to ask ourselves what is driving the behavior and create a place of compassion for those that come to us with their trauma.

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Lt Col Luis A. Rojas
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CPT, very interesting, I did not know PTSD was intergenerational.  Thanks for sharing.
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CH (CPT) Heather Davis
CH (CPT) Heather Davis
12 y

LTC Rojas:


Respectfully Sir, I have always been one to want to know what drives the behavior. I am an Army Chaplain and due to my own personal journey I wanted to provide understanding on the damaging impact in my own family tree.




Child abuse due to the stressors of combat connects childhood
trauma and the vicious cycle that has impacted 43.3% among the suicide cases
and 64.7% identified by the Department of Defense Suicide Event report.




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Lt Col Luis A. Rojas
Lt Col Luis A. Rojas
12 y
Thank you Chaplain for doing the research and sharing this important topic with the rest of us.
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CH (CPT) Heather Davis
CH (CPT) Heather Davis
12 y

LTC Rojas:


Hooah!

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SFC S3 Operations Nco
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CPT Davis, thank you for sharing something so personal to you with the Rallypoint community. Never heard of intergenerational PTSD before.
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CH (CPT) Heather Davis
CH (CPT) Heather Davis
12 y
<p>SSG Parra:</p><p><br></p><p>I was one of the first females in my unit back in the 80's and I would shut down after be belittled and yelled at. I look back and the repressed memories and unresolved issues impacted how I reacted to adversity.</p><p><br></p><p>This is important for Leaders to be receptive about how environmental factors can impact one's sense of self and how the individual relates to the outer world. When a Soldier is reactive there is a belief that is driving the behavior.</p><p><br></p><p>Trauma is significant for it creates personal uniqueness, entitlement, and invulnerability.</p>
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SFC S3 Operations Nco
SFC (Join to see)
12 y
This is something leaders should be aware of IOT properly access individuals and avoid having them sent to combat with such issues. In addition, self-awareness will curb behaviors that may inflict traumatic behaviors.
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CH (CPT) Heather Davis
CH (CPT) Heather Davis
12 y

SSG Parra:


The three common links are abuse, neglect, and
physical punishment during childhood (Zlotnick, 
(1999). Forty-five percent of veterans with PTSD were recognized as
recipients of abusive physical punishment during childhood. Childhood abuse is
a common factor that impacts one in five individuals associated with exposure
to traumatic events. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disabling
condition and a silent culprit in behavioral and biological consequences. The
increase of suicides in the Army is clearly an indication that many soldiers experienced
childhood trauma that has become the third-leading cause of death among United
States Army personnel (Zlotnick,  (1999).



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CH (CPT) Heather Davis
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<p>SSG Burns:</p><p><br></p><p>I have done extensive research on this subject. </p><p><br></p><div class="abstract">&nbsp; Among the adverse mental health consequences of childhood trauma is the risk related to the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adulthood. Other risk factors for PTSD, including parental trauma exposure and parental PTSD, can also contribute to the experience of child trauma. We examined associations between childhood trauma and PTSD in 51 adult children of Holocaust survivors and 41 comparison subjects, in consideration of parental trauma exposure and parental PTSD. We also examined these variables in relation to 24-hr urinary cortisol levels. Adult offspring of Holocaust survivors showed significantly higher levels of self-reported childhood trauma, particularly emotional abuse and neglect, relative to comparison subjects. The difference was largely attributable to parental PTSD. Self-reported childhood trauma was also related to severity of PTSD in subjects, and emotional abuse was significantly associated with 24-hr mean urinary cortisol secretion. We conclude that the experience of childhood trauma may be an important factor in the transmission of PTSD from parent to child. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]</div><div class="attribution">Hospital Collection</div><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>
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SSG Robert Burns
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Do you have a reference I can read on?
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CW2 Joseph Evans
CW2 Joseph Evans
12 y
Nice, and thank you. However, my interest currently is pursuit of an MBA with a focus on Information Technology and Sustainability. Til I get done with that, I really am going to be dependent on experts like yourself.
You have the advantage, that as a Chaplain and along with the research background you have and personal history, you are in a good place for handling 1st and 2nd intra-generational PTSD in military families. Your career and reputation are still solidly intact and will be able to see fantastic results in the future. Do I see potential for a leadership role in a War Veteran's Family based Non-profit organization in your future?
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CH (CPT) Heather Davis
CH (CPT) Heather Davis
12 y
<p>Chief:</p><p><br></p><p>I am striving to get a Ph.D. in advance behavior and ultimately writing books on "Intergenerational PTSD."</p>
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CPT Safety Specialist, Gs 12
CPT (Join to see)
12 y
PTSD has been moved in the DSM 5 from an anxiety disorder sub catergory to a trauma and sensory related disorder. So what you are researching makes sense if you look at it from an elevated cortisol level either before/after conception and PTSD being a sensory issue.
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CH (CPT) Heather Davis
CH (CPT) Heather Davis
12 y

SSG Morgan:


Many of our Soldiers are impacted by psychological stressors that bring out unresolved issues from childhood. In my own journey, I did not have my family history to see the patterns of how my Grand Father and Father both served in time of war.



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CH (CPT) Heather Davis
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For example while I was deployed I had repressed memories that became activated. I started remembering childhood trauma. I did not know at the time that my Father served in WWII, and my Grand Father was MIA for a year. This is a form of intergenerational PTSD. Your thoughts?
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CH (CPT) Heather Davis
CH (CPT) Heather Davis
12 y
<p>SSG Burns:</p><p><br></p><p>If you go to Google Scholar you can type in "childhood trauma and risk for intergenerational PTSD".</p>
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