Posted on Mar 27, 2022
WWII created generations of trauma in their families. They fear war will do the same in Ukraine.
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When Liz Prager O’Brien was growing up in Rhode Island, the trauma her mother had endured during World War II would sneak up on both of them at unexpected moments.
Her mom was 2 years old when she and her parents fled their small Polish town. They left a comfortable life and spent the next dozen years in dire poverty, struggling to survive.
As a young refugee going from one war-torn country to the next, Prager O’Brien’s mom didn’t have opportunities to develop friendships.
So decades later, when Prager O’Brien was 9 years old and sought advice on how to handle a disagreement between her friends, her mother lashed out.
“‘I never had childhood friends. Why the hell are you asking me?’” Prager O’Brien, who’s now 60, said her mom screamed at her.
This and similar interactions left Prager O’Brien frightened and confused.
Her mom was 2 years old when she and her parents fled their small Polish town. They left a comfortable life and spent the next dozen years in dire poverty, struggling to survive.
As a young refugee going from one war-torn country to the next, Prager O’Brien’s mom didn’t have opportunities to develop friendships.
So decades later, when Prager O’Brien was 9 years old and sought advice on how to handle a disagreement between her friends, her mother lashed out.
“‘I never had childhood friends. Why the hell are you asking me?’” Prager O’Brien, who’s now 60, said her mom screamed at her.
This and similar interactions left Prager O’Brien frightened and confused.
WWII created generations of trauma in their families. They fear war will do the same in Ukraine.
Posted from nbcnews.com
Russia
Ukraine
WWII World War Two
Poland
Posted 2 y ago
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The psychological impact of the trauma experienced is deep rooted and has been passed on generation after generation. These generations of Ukrainians will be no different. Hopefully a greater awareness of the issues associated with it will mitigate both its impact and tenure with counseling that didn't exist until recently (in relative terms)
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PTSD before they had a name for it. My dad was a WWII vet and the cardinal rule in the house was no loud, sudden noises without warning or announcement. The penalty for breaking the rule was sudden and harsh so as to discourage breaking the rule in the future. My kids often wondered why I would announce every time I turned on the garbage disposal in the sink... until they met grandpa.
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MSgt Jeff Bailey
Had a great Uncle who served in WW II who today would have what we know is PTSD. Sadly back then he was just crazy Uncle Charlie who the grown ups kept us kids away from.
Here's to all the Uncle Charlie's who came home, didn't come home and didn't make it all the way home.
Here's to all the Uncle Charlie's who came home, didn't come home and didn't make it all the way home.
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It will and it is. Many civilians are at the breaking point due to the bombs, lack of food and heat, losing family members. Some like a little old lady has no means to escape and she breaks down emotionally and mentally. Children will miss their grandparents and parents. It is a curse for a few generations.
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