Hand-Me-Down Trauma
In the pages of Scary Mommy, where progressive ladies roar, Elaine Roth wishes us to know about her mental health problems:
There’s a running monologue whispering in the back of my mind. Maybe it’s whispering in the back of your mind, too.
My running monologue isn’t unique to me. Countless women across the country — maybe across the globe — experience a similar monologue. It results from a shared trauma, and it’s got a name: Patriarchy Stress Disorder, or PSD.
I fear woo may be incoming.
PSD is the idea that the mental, physical, and emotional impact of gender inequality is a trauma that impacts woman and builds over time, and over generations.
It is, we’re assured, a “collective intergenerational trauma,” and “genetically transmitted,” “passed down in our genes” – albeit in ways left entirely mysterious.
PSD can impact anyone, including nonbinary people and men. Still, few people have heard of patriarchy stress disorder,
You see, you haven’t heard of it, this new and modish ailment, for which no convincing definition is offered, beyond unspecified “systems of inequality” and repeating the word patriarchy many, many times. And yet apparently, simultaneously, we’re assured that said ailment – and its purported transmission – is the obvious go-to explanation for why “high-achieving women” – ladies much like Ms Roth – have so often failed “to have it all and thrive,” despite the promises of feminism. Why supposedly empowered ladies fail to “own their own shine.”
We’re told that the term patriarchy stress disorder was coined by “Dr Valerie Rein, Ph.D.,” and that Dr Rein – allegedly a “women’s mental health expert” – “learned that trauma could be genetically transmitted.” A link is provided, introducing us to “Dr Valerie” – though, again, no explanation or evidence of this alleged genetic transmission is included. We’re merely told that “trauma lives in our nervous system.” Which, as you can imagine, is immensely helpful. A second link, written by the expert in question, supposedly explaining Patriarchy Stress Disorder and its transmission, does no such thing. A third link, to the pages of Good Housekeeping, is similarly mysterious and short on particulars.
The symptoms of this phantom, catch-all disorder are numerous, often vague, and seemingly unrelated. The list includes insomnia; feeling a “need to try harder;” feeling insufficiently happy about pretty much anything; feeling “uneasy,” or greedy, or ungrateful. Feeling that one isn’t a sexual athlete. Or just being displeased by one’s own fatness. Almost any kind of uncertainty or dissatisfaction, whether substantive or self-indulgent, can now, it seems, be blamed on “the trauma of our ancestors” and the drowning of witches, and thus on “gender inequality,” however non-existent in the here and now. Whatever the woe, or fit of neuroticism, the cause, we’re assured, is “as pervasive as it is invisible,” and, says Dr Valerie, “It’s not our fault… it has nothing to do with us.”
Exactly how Ms Roth, a writer and Pilates instructor, is oppressed by “patriarchy,” and how she has been traumatised by it, crushed by the aforementioned “systems of inequality,” is not made clear either, and no examples are forthcoming. None whatsoever. Perhaps expectations of evidence – even a single, relevant anecdote – are now considered superfluous and impolite. Readers of Scary Mommy are nonetheless expected to nod in agreement, before checking their breasts for signs of “inherited trauma.” Readers may wish to ponder the appeal of a worldview, an intersectional science-fiction narrative, in which one’s feelings and resentments – and any number of failures and shortcomings – aren’t actually one’s own, but are instead somehow inherited, like sickle cell anaemia or grandma’s knick-knacks.
Via Princess Cutekitten.
Ah, a button. I wonder what it does.
Can anyone remember the time when absolutely nobody wanted to be a victim of something? I can’t help but feel those were better days…
before checking their breasts for signs of “inherited trauma.”
Actual LOL
Can anyone remember the time when absolutely nobody wanted to be a victim of something?
Well, victimhood, however pretentious, is now a kind of status. A ready-made identity, and often a substitute for a personality or individual charm.
Other gems from ‘Scary Mommy’:
Could Your Astrological Sign Indicate Whether You’re More Likely to Be Vaxxed?
8 Signs You’re The Victim Of Gaslighting
‘Friendship Audits’ Aren’t Always About The Toxic People In Our Lives
My Youngest Kid Is ‘Spoiled’ Because I’m F*cking Tired*
I Have Eco-Anxiety—Here’s What That Means
* They are always tired. Why are they always tired?
I suffer from Ferraric Stress Disorder, because Ernesto hasn’t given me a free 812 Superfast yet. This has been passed on to me through my genes going back to the primordial slime. I have receipts.
They are always tired. Why are they always tired?
They can’t all be Lili Von Shtupp, can they?
before checking their breasts for signs of “inherited trauma.”
Ok, am checking, but could you be a little more specific about what I’m checking for?
“Science Serves The Party”

Funny, isn’t it, how the most traumatized victims of the patriarchy are middle class and wealthy women living lives of comfort and luxury in pleasant safe communities.
Ok, am checking, but could you be a little more specific about what I’m checking for?
Bondo and paint that doesn’t quite match, usually.
Teh Patriarchy is pretty shoddy when it comes to covering up old trauma.
2. Do you have imposter [sic] syndrome?
Irony can be pretty ironic.
Ok, am checking, but could you be a little more specific about what I’m checking for?
Madam, must you do that at the bar?
[ Flicks discarded bra out of way to make room for bar snacks. ]
before checking their breasts for signs of “inherited trauma.”
Possible clue.
Has it never occurred to these women* that it is impossible for anyone, man or woman, to “have it all”? Do they not realize everything in life involves trade-offs and everyone must give up one thing in order to have another?
* Legally women but the emotional maturity of girls.
Well, at least it’s not “internalised capitalism.”
“Dr. Valerie Rein is a psychologist and women’s mental health expert who has discovered Patriarchy Stress Disorder (PSD) and created the only science-backed system for helping women achieve their ultimate success”.
A woman with no less than four degrees is pretty much obliged to “discover” something which is to her own advantage, or self-defined disadvantage as is generally the case nowadays.
On a separate note it would appear that Good Housekeeping has moved on from jam recipes and matching drapes.
“Dr. Valerie Rein is a psychologist and women’s mental health expert who has discovered Patriarchy Stress Disorder (PSD) and created the only science-backed system for helping women achieve their ultimate success”.
This is the modern, leftist version of L. Ron Hubbard inventing Dianetics and Scientology.
who has discovered Patriarchy Stress Disorder (PSD)
This is a clear example of the slipping standards of today; the editor didn’t even catch the misspelling of the word, ‘invented’.
I am suffering from WSSS. Woke Stupidity Stress Syndrome. Symptoms – wanting either to laugh or cry (often at the same time) and with an uncontrollable urge to shout “HOW FUCKING STUPID”.
“I Have Eco-Anxiety—Here’s What That Means”
Oh, we know what it means…
Meanwhile, and related, at the World Economic Forum, we learn of the problem of Toxic Positivity.
Dr. Valerie Rein is a psychologist and women’s mental health expert who has discovered Patriarchy Stress Disorder
So she’s rediscovered Larmarckism?
So she’s rediscovered Larmarckism?
I’d guess that some ladies of the left have heard similar noises coming from black racial narcissists and their woke enablers, and decided, “Ooh, we’ll have some of that.”
So she’s rediscovered Larmarckism?
More likely Lysenkoism, and it’s only a matter of time before she tries to silence her critics.
“science-backed” is telling.
The three great causes for our time namely climate change/global warming, gender self-identification and lockdown overkill are all “backed” by authoritarian government-funded scientists. I prefer my research to be science-based with freely accessible data/evidence and replicable results but that makes me a pariah nowadays.
despite the promises of feminism
I think I see the problem…
A handy reference:

Irony can be pretty ironic.
Canadian Folk/Rock singer hardest hit?
The invocation of “the patriarchy” is just a bunch of woo. No one can have it all. Married men drive farther to work, work more hours, accept more dangerous or stressful jobs, and die more (98% of workplace fatalities are men) in order for their families to “thrive”. They miss kids events and milestones because of work. 60% of college students are women, with even a majority in med school. When women have kids, many suddenly find that work is not so great and they want to stay home with the kids and raise them. It is good fortune to be able to do this, not oppression.
That trauma is “inherited” is also invoked by Coates for black “trauma” as a get out of jail card for the inability to find oppression existing today.
Crazy? Or maliciously dishonest? (via Inspector Gadget)
Crazy?
That was a full 180 degree reverse ferret in just 24 days.
Impressive.
“learned that trauma could be genetically transmitted.”
One small study (32 subjects) of the epigenetic effects on the children of Holocaust survivors and all the political advocates of victomology went “AHA!!”. If one dares point out there are loads of successful blacks, browns, women, victim du jour, just point out and say INHERITED TRAUMA as a Forever Victim Cudgel with which to beat people over the head.
Turns out that one does NOT “inherit trauma” but may (and researchers say it’s rare) inherit sensitivity so one may get anxious or depressed more easily.
I’ve grown weary of the use of SCIENCE!! as the ultimate “gotcha” when the historical and contemporary malicious misuse of the term is all too apparent.
The invocation of “the patriarchy” is just a bunch of woo.
Like “whiteness” and “white supremacy,” it functions as a conspiracy theory.
Wankers: “I’m unhappy/crazy/lazy/stupid, and need someone to blame.”
The left: “Have we got a deal for you!”
Well, victimhood, however pretentious, is now a kind of status.
It’s a lot more than that. Victimhood is POWER. If you present yourself as a victim, everyone must bend the knee and do whatever you say. Anyone who doesn’t capitulate becomes one of your oppressors and can then be canceled and destroyed. To the kind of people who crave power over others, this is an irresistible lure. As a result, the demand for victimhood outstrips the supply, and new classes of victims must be invented every day to close the gap. Fortunately, our woke overlords are very good at that kind of thing.
In the absence of religion (or even not being a believer but accepting the moral structure that is provided by it), the only “evil” they can find in the world is oppression (conveniently provided as a construct by Marx) and therefore the only good person is a victim. Doing charity, refraining from crime etc are no longer considered. Only oppression/victimhood. The logical extension that “oppressed” criminals are victims leads to our current mess: DA that won’t prosecute even murder, thieves walking out of stores with all the goods until they shut down, a rape on a train that no-one intervened, etc. as well as calls to exterminate whites (by whites I might add). It is all logical, but wrong.
Victimhood is POWER.
Only if others buy in to the delusion. The proper reply to most of this sort is, well… “F off”. Or “bless your heart”
Related Victim Science™…
Not to worry, Teh Patriarchy™ is there too…
Wait for it…
Dropping out is self-love and disrupts systems of power. OK, you go with that if you think anyone in the Harvard administration really gives a damn as long as the check clears.
There is clear evidence that neuroses like this (victimhood, whining) are controllable attitudes rather than real mental illnesses. During past times there was plenty of real hardship but not this obsession with how unfair things are and how oppressed one is. In a study of the Dutch under German occupation during WWII, where the country was still functioning though sometimes starving, admissions for mental illness went down during the war. People had a real focus on real problems and didn’t get lost in their heads. On US college campus’ these days there is a huge upswing in self-reported mental illness. Almost no one I ever met in college 50 yrs ago mentioned being mentally unwell, nor did they appear so. “goth” was a tiny fraction.
But no more. I have chosen a path to justice and healing that is rooted in self-love and preservation.
In other words, she had a C average and expected to get a D in organic chemistry.
Was she admitted under “affirmative action” quotas?
Much of the trouble with militant blacks on college campuses in the sixties was from underqualified blacks who struggled to catch up with better prepared students.
she had a C average and expected to get a D in organic chemistry.
I’m guessing an “affirmative” admission, and “inorganic” chemistry is just, well… chemistry. But you white people with your fancy terms and all…
[ Rummages under bar for tongs. Picks up discarded bra. ]
Is Felicity coming back for this?
In other words, she had a C average and expected to get a D in organic chemistry.
The histrionics over someone she never knew would explain the probable C and D.
If that doesn’t merit an Order of the Red Banner, nothing does, brave soldier.
Well, victimhood, however pretentious, is now a kind of status
I’m old enough to remember when people fought over not having to sit at the back of the bus.
I’m guessing an “affirmative” admission, and “inorganic” chemistry is just, well… chemistry.
To nit pick, I seem to recall that inorganic chemistry was traditionally taken before organic chem, so I expect that really was inorganic.
Is Felicity coming back for this?
I’m operating a Free Clinic in that dimly lit booth way in the back.
“This Halloween, see… Scary Mommy Mutant! She had it all, but now she’s a freak. Watch her devolve! Opening Friday.”
That’s what has to be meant by “inherited trauma”, right?
First World Problems.
Trofim Denisovich would have had difficulty finding any science in this narrative.