Stress is one of the most common experiences that humans endure. The demands of life coupled with traumatic events cause individuals to develop stress. It is encouraging that the mental health community has taken steps to prevent and manage stress. However, given the fact that millions continue to suffer stress, more needs to be done. In order to tackle stress, it is important to understand its underlying causes. Such an understanding will facilitate the development of effective interventions.
Impacts of Trauma
Trauma is one of the issues that have been linked to decline in human development. Individuals who have suffered trauma experience a wide range of negative impacts. These impacts include altered brain function and structure (Dye, 2018). Children who have suffered trauma are particularly at high risk of experiencing these impacts. Addictions and mental health problems are other impacts that trauma can have on an individual’s life (Kuksis et al., 2017). For example, an individual who has suffered trauma as a result of sexual abuse may turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism. For this individual, alcoholism may become an escape from the pain caused by the trauma. An inability to concentrate and make proper decisions is yet another impact that trauma can have (McAloon, 2014). Given the gravity of the effects of trauma, it is important to help those who have suffered traumatic experiences.
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Epigenetics and Stress
Epigenetics is a field of study that seeks to determine genetic changes. Essentially, this field is concerned with understanding how gene expression undergoes changes. It has been linked to stress. Research shows that genetic changes can occur as an individual’s body attempts to respond to stressful and traumatic experiences (Zannas & Chrousos, 2017). Basically, this means that changes in the human genetic expression can occur as a result of stress. For example, it is understood that when it is persistent, stress can result in changes in the histone code and the expression of such elements of the human DNA as CRH, GR and AVP (Stankiewicz, Swiergiel & Lisowski, 2013). Through epigenetics, mankind is able to gain a better understanding of the lasting impacts of stress.
Traumatic Events Affecting Children
Despite having occurred many years ago, the 9/11 attacks are still fresh in the memory of Americans. It has been observed that children who may not have witnessed these attacks exhibit some behaviors that are consistent with certain mental illnesses. This observation underscores that traumatic events can have effects that shape the lives of future generations. Distress and anxiety are among the mental issues that children displayed (Garfin, 2017).The children exhibited these issues because they felt vulnerable and feared that the attacks could happen again.
The importance of understanding the traumas that parents experience will affect their children cannot be overstated. In the discussion above, it has been shown that the 9/11 attacks had devastating effects on children. These effects indicate that by understanding the traumas that parents have experienced, it is possible to predict the problems that the children may suffer. Interventions can then be developed to help the children avoid or cope with the problems.
Current Events
There are a number of current events that can be expected to have negative effects on future generations. The civil war that has ravaged Syria for years is one of these events. It is estimated that over 400,000 people have died in this war (Specia, 2018). Apart from the high death toll, the war has also caused unimaginable pain and suffering. Women and children have borne the brunt of the war. The impact of the war can be compared to such major catastrophes as the 9/11 attacks. Since these attacks affected future generations, one can expect that the future Syrian generations will witness such issues as anxiety and distress.
In conclusion, humans are resilient and capable of overcoming hardships. However, there are some experiences that move even the most resilient and dedicated people. Traumatic events have been shown to have lasting effects which can be damaging if appropriate interventions are not adopted. Such events as the 9/11 attacks and the Syrian civil war serve as evidence that trauma can have lasting impacts. It is therefore important to protect people from trauma and provide help to those who have already suffered trauma.
References
Dye, H. (2018). The impact and long-term effects of childhood trauma. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 28 (3), 381-92.
Garfin, D. R. (2016). How the pain of 9/11 still stays with a generation. The Conversation. Retrieved September 23, 2018 from https://theconversation.com/how-the-pain-of-9-11-still-stays-with-a-generation-64725
Kuksis, M., Di Prospero, C., Hawken, E. R., & Finch, S. (2017). The correlation between trauma, PTSD, and substance abuse in a community sample seeking outpatient treatment for addiction. Journal of Addiction Medicine, 8 (1).
McAloon, J. (2014). Complex trauma: how abuse and neglect can have life-long effects. The Conversation. Retrieved September 23, 3018 from http://theconversation.com/complex-trauma-how-abuse-and-neglect-can-have-life-long-effects-32329
Specia, M. (2018). How Syria’s death toll is lost in the fog of war. The New York Times. Retrieved September 23, 2018 from https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/13/world/middleeast/syria-death-toll.html
Stankiewicz, A. M., Swiergiel, A. H., & Lisowski, P. (2013). Epigenetics of stress adaptations in the brain. Brain Research Bulletin, 98, 76-92.
Zannas, A. S., & Chrousos, G. P. (2017). Epigenetic programming by stress and glucocorticoids along the human lifespan. Molecular Psychiatry, 22, 640-6.
