[When a trauma becomes a taboo--is it pathogenetic? Communication in the family about psychological traumas]

Case histories and clinical studies have pointed to the harmful effect on their children when traumatized parents do not communicate their traumatic experiences. The present paper argues that it is not the lack of communication in itself that is harmful. Lack of communication should rather be regarded as a coping mechanism which could indicate intrapersonal and interpersonal problems within the family.