Breaking the Cycle: Healing From Generational Trauma

pillarhealthsystems
May 8
3 min read

Wired Wellness Weekly

In this week’s edition of Wired Wellness Weekly, we dive into the relationship between narcissism, generational trauma, and how your genetics can influence your emotional health.

Why are we talking about it? Because understanding these connections can empower you to break free from harmful patterns and build a healthier future.

What is Narcissism?

Narcissism is more than just selfishness or vanity—it’s a persistent pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and a lack of empathy. It often stems from deeper emotional wounds and can impact both the individual and their relationships, creating cycles of emotional pain. Narcissistic behaviors can also be influenced by underlying physiological factors, making it important to explore genetics as part of the healing process.

Generational Trauma: A Hidden Legacy

Generational trauma, also known as intergenerational trauma, refers to the transmission of trauma’s effects from one generation to the next. These effects may be passed through behaviors, emotional responses, and coping mechanisms, influencing future generations without them even realizing it. Narcissism and generational trauma are connected in that both can be passed down through families, often starting in early childhood, where unhealthy emotional environments set the stage for these patterns to continue.

Connection Between Narcissism & Generational Trauma

Emotional Detachment: Narcissistic individuals often struggle with emotional empathy, which creates an environment where generational trauma, such as emotional neglect, is passed down.

Cycle of Abuse: Narcissistic behaviors, which often arise from unresolved trauma, can perpetuate harmful patterns. Children raised in narcissistic households may experience emotional abuse that shapes their self-worth and mental health into adulthood.

Repetition Compulsion: People with generational trauma may unknowingly repeat unhealthy behaviors with their children, continuing the cycle of narcissism or trauma-based responses.

The Role of Genes in Mental Health & Trauma Response

At Wired BioHealth, we recognize that genetics & neuroscience biomarkers play a significant role in how we handle stress, mood regulation, and trauma. While certainly not the only gene impacting behavioral wellness, an important one to understand is the COMT (Catechol-O-Methyltransferase) gene, which plays a critical role in how your brain processes stress and regulates emotions.

What is the COMT Gene:

The COMT gene is responsible for producing an enzyme that breaks down catecholamines (dopamine, adrenaline, and norepinephrine)—important chemicals in the brain involved in stress response, mood regulation, and cognitive function. Variations in this gene can affect how well your brain processes stress and emotional stimuli.

COMT and Stress Response:

If you have a variant of the COMT gene that leads to less efficient breakdown of stress-related chemicals, you may be more prone to heightened stress responses, making you more susceptible to the effects of generational trauma or narcissistic environments.

COMT and Mood Regulation:

Variations in COMT also influence how your brain regulates emotions like anxiety and depression, making it harder for some individuals to manage these feelings effectively. This can be especially relevant for those dealing with the emotional fallout of narcissistic abuse or inherited trauma.

Understanding Your Genes Can Help You Heal

By understanding how your genes function and influence measurable brain chemicals and hormones, you can gain actionable insights into your stress response, emotional regulation, and overall mental health. This information can help you:

Identify genetic factors that affect how you handle stress and trauma, offering personalized insights to guide your emotional healing.

Tailor wellness strategies to your unique biological profile, optimizing brain chemicals, hormones, and gene expression.

Collaborate with an epigenetic-informed therapist to integrate genetic insights into your emotional recovery, particularly when addressing generational trauma or narcissistic patterns.

How Wired BioHealth Can Help

At Wired BioHealth, we provide advanced genetic and neuroscience testing to analyze your unique biology and its impact on your behavioral wellness. Our comprehensive roadmap helps you optimize key biomarkers to support a healthier, more fulfilling life. Our tests give you insight into how genetics and brain chemicals influence your stress response, cognitive abilities, mood regulation, and susceptibility to conditions related to narcissism and generational trauma.

What We Offer:

Testing & Optimization: Personalized wellness insights based on your unique genetic and neuroscience profile.

Stress Response Testing: Understand how your body responds to stress and how your genes and neuroscience biomarkers contribute.

Mood Regulation Insights: Learn how your genes and brain chemicals affect emotional balance and your risk for mood disorders like anxiety and depression.