Childhood Trauma: ACEs
Childhood Trauma is a topic often talked about in the mental health, therapy, and psychology fields. Our childhoods are crucial to understanding ourselves as adults. We learn how to walk, play, speak, read…and so much more! We learn how to exist in a new world, this world. These experiences, or lack of them, can impact us for the rest of our lives.
Childhood Trauma, also known as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), are events that children (in the 1–17 age range) go through. These are negative experiences that effect our brain and health as we grow into adulthood. The ACEs can lead to mental health problems or chronic physical health issues.
What type of experiences fall under the ACEs umbrella?
- Violence
- Physical, Emotional, or Sexual Abuse
- Neglect
- Loss of a Family Member or Loved One
- Divorce
- Being Unhoused or Moving Frequently
- Discrimination
- Natural Disasters
- Bullying
- Car Accidents
- Shootings or Witnessing Serious Injuries
- Witnessing the Death of Another Person
Now, it is important to note that not every person who experiences these events will react in the same manner as others.
How do ACEs affect us later in life? Experiencing traumatic events while we are young can lead to mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, PTSD, addiction, and more. There is also risk of physical health conditions, due to the chronic/toxic stress. These can include heart disease, high blood pressure, asthma, and more.
Knowing how these experiences can effect us will help us understand ourselves better in adulthood. Treatment can also be beneficial. Therapy, support groups, and learning to regulate our emotions in a healthy way can all be steps we take in order to heal these wounds from our childhood.
You can read more about ACEs here: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/24875-adverse-childhood-experiences-ace
You can take the ACEs quiz here: https://americanspcc.org/take-the-aces-quiz/
I want to say thank you for spending some time here with me. I know these kinds of conversations can be difficult. Take a breath. Do some self-care. Know that you matter!
I will probably be writing more on this topic, and maybe even including more of my personal experiences with Adverse Childhood Experiences. If you’d like to read more of my work, think about subscribing to my email notifications.