Bipolar or Transgenerational Trauma?
You've tried mood stabilizers. Therapy. Meditation. Still cycling?
What if your "bipolar" is actually trauma-driven TSD? And what if that trauma came from your family's unhealed patterns?
This tool helps you explore whether your mood instability is intergenerational trauma, not biochemical bipolar.
The $220 Billion Question
Research suggests that 40-60% of people diagnosed with "Bipolar Disorder, Unspecified" (F31.9) might actually have Traumatic Stress Disorder (TSD)—a pattern where your nervous system oscillates between fight/flight and freeze states in response to unresolved trauma.
The difference matters because the treatment is completely different. Mood stabilizers alone can't heal trauma. Somatic work can't fix biochemical bipolar. Getting the right diagnosis means getting the right help.
What You'll Explore with Serenity
Trauma History
When did the mood changes start? What was happening in your life? Did you ever feel unsafe growing up?
Your Experience
Do mood shifts feel like something happening TO you, or like YOU having emotions? Where do you feel them in your body?
Episode Patterns
Are your mood shifts random or triggered by cues? Do they last days/weeks or hours? What makes them better or worse?
Your Sense of Self
Do you know who you are beneath the mood swings? Can you imagine a future where you feel safe and whole?
Important Notes
- •This is NOT a diagnosis. Only a qualified clinician can diagnose. This is an exploration to help you ask better questions.
- •This is NOT saying "bipolar isn't real." True biochemical bipolar exists. TSD is ALSO real. Both need proper treatment.
- •Don't stop medications without clinical guidance. This is about understanding, not replacing, your current treatment.
- •This is a safe space. Serenity won't judge you. Your responses are private and ZK-encrypted.
Takes about 10-15 minutes