“As distress goes up, attachment breaks down”; chronic stress, violence, and trauma contributes to relational problems and family or parenting issues.” – Dr. Maryanna Eckberg
A John Hopkins’ 2020 study found that chronic stress can weaken immunity. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in 2023, 76.4% American adults (approximately 194 million) reported 1 or more chronic health conditions (6 in 10 young adults, 8 in 10 midlife adults, and 9 in 10 older adults). Prevalence of chronic conditions increased by 7.0 percentage points among young adults from 2013 to 2023. A 2019 CDC study indicated 4 in 10 adults had two or more chronic health conditions.
In a 2013 study, Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) were 1.5 to 2.0 times more likely to develop many of the major chronic health conditions. A more recent 2022 Yale study found that young and middle-aged Black adults had a burden of chronic conditions equivalent to people from other racial and ethnic groups aged 5-10 years older.
The Effects of Multigenerational Chronic Stress & Trauma
Over-stimulation of a transgenerationally distressed, bioneurological system (body, mind, and spirit) contributes to anxiety, depression, acquired neurodivergence, nand other genetic vulnerability or epigenetic conditions including diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, and cancer. Epigenetic alterations are associated with over 90-95% of disease pathology, often triggered by stress or trauma.
Emotional stress can cause cortisol elevation triggering biophysiolgical and epigenetic changes, hormonal-metabolic imbalances (i.e., obesity, diabetes, insulin and leptin resistance; aldosterone sensitivity; adrenal fatigue; and high/low thyroid hormones), and reduced immunity. Prolonged high cortisol negatively effects estrogen and testosterone levels disrupting metabolism, energy, sleep, and mood. It also contributes to inflammation/physical pain, alcohol and substance use/abuse, and addiction. Evenually, cortisol-producing sytem may become less responsive; negatively impacting the rest of the stress management system.
Emotional dysregulation, stressors, and trauma can initiate epigenetic changes like DNA methylation, that alter gene expression/ function and stress response systems [i.e., serotonin-melatonin, dopamine, and noepinephrine systems; the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis; and the amygdala (fear), hippocampus (memory), and prefrontal cortex (reasoning). In addition, the neural network is rewired, disrupting communication between brain regions and the rest of the body.
These overlapping layers require a comprehensive approach to release transgenerational holding patterns and corresponding narratives. Emotional wellbeing, connection, and altruistic reciprocal relationship – community are quintessential to healing, restoration, vitality, and resilience. The healing of individuals, families, relationships, communities, nations, and the environment— the world requires repairing the harm. Until it is repaired it will continue to show up as intentional/unintentional, harmful interpersonal interactions and the perpetuation of multi-generational trauma.
The ReSET Community Healing Program and Mediation comprehensively addresses the multigenerational holding patterns of stress, duress, abuse/violence, and trauma. We provide research-based, holistic resources (virtual and onsite) to restore the protective qualities of relationship and reduce the high risk for chronic health conditions in our local and global communities. Contact us to learn more about our ReSET program and services.