By: Kelsey Wooten, LPC
Over the last 20 years Felitti and colleagues have been studying the effect of trauma on children and how it impacts their lifespan, and created the ACE questionnaire. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic events that occur before the age of 18. They can include a range of experiences, such as:
Abuse: Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
Neglect: Emotional or physical neglect
Household Dysfunction: Growing up in a household with substance abuse, mental illness, domestic violence, parental separation, or incarceration.
ACEs can have significant and lasting effects on an individual’s physical and mental health, influencing everything from emotional regulation to risk for chronic diseases in adulthood. Understanding ACEs is important for fostering resilience and promoting healing in affected individuals.The lasting effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) can be profound and varied.
Some common long-term effects include:
Mental Health Issues: Increased risk for anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental health disorders
Physical Health Problems: Higher likelihood of chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity
Behavioral Issues: Greater propensity for substance abuse, risky behaviors, and difficulties with impulse control
Relationship Challenges: Difficulty forming and maintaining healthy relationships, often stemming from trust issues or attachment disorders
Cognitive Impairments: Learning difficulties, lower academic achievement, and issues with attention and memory
Reduced Resilience: Challenges in coping with stress and adversity, leading to a cycle of trauma
Having a higher ACE score is not a death sentence. Understanding the effects can help in creating supportive environments and implement interventions to promote healing and resilience.
Therapy/Counseling: Professional support, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-focused therapy, or other therapeutic modalities, can help individuals process their experiences and develop healthy coping strategies
Building Supportive Relationships: Strong, positive relationships with trusted adults, friends, or mentors can provide emotional support and help rebuild trust
Mindfulness and Stress-Reduction Techniques: Practices like mindfulness, meditation, and yoga can improve emotional regulation and reduce stress
Healthy Coping Strategies: Encouraging positive outlets for emotions, such as art, music, or physical activity, can promote healing
Education and Awareness: Understanding ACEs and their impact can empower individuals to seek help and make informed choices about their health and relationships
Community Support Programs: Engaging with community resources, support groups, or mentoring programs can provide additional layers of support
Resilience Training: Programs designed to foster resilience can help individuals build skills to cope with stress and adversity.
**These approaches can be tailored to the individual’s needs and can significantly aid in recovery and healing
You can take the quiz here
If you or someone you know is struggling to cope with a traumatic event they experienced, the therapists at Sonder are now accepting new clients. Call or email today!