Adverse Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are traumatic events or circumstances that occur during childhood. They can have significant long-term impacts on mental and physical health into adulthood.
Many people who think about their early years do not fully recognize the magnitude of the adversity they endured. An exercise that can support more accurate understanding of your ACEs is to imagine a child of your own growing up exactly as you did. If you were observing that child, would you feel sad or angry? Would you see anything that might harm a child’s self-esteem or self-worth?
Common examples of ACEs include:
Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
Physical or emotional neglect
Household dysfunction, such as:
Parental separation/divorce
Domestic violence
Substance abuse in the household
Mental illness in the household
Incarceration of a household member
Community violence, racism, discrimination, and chronic poverty.
ACEs are remarkably common:
More than two-thirds of adults report experiencing at least one ACE
Nearly a quarter have experienced three or more ACEs
ACEs can trigger toxic stress responses in children that can lead to numerous health issues in adulthood:
Neuroplastic Pain or Illness
Heart disease
Lung disease
Cancer
Diabetes
Obesity
Mental Health Impacts
Unrecognized negative emotions (anger, fear, shame, grief, guilt)
Depression
Anxiety
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Substance abuse disorders (nicotine, alcohol, drugs)
Eating disorders
Behavioral Impacts
Stressful personality traits (low self-esteem, people-pleasing, perfectionism and more)
Triggers (stressful people, situations, or events)
Risky sexual behaviors
Addictions to gambling, food, pornography, work, exercise, shopping, hoarding and others
Cutting or self-mutilating behavior
Social and Economic Impacts
Lower educational attainment
Unemployment
Poverty
While ACEs can have serious consequences, protective factors can mitigate their impact:
Positive childhood experiences (PCEs)
Supportive relationships with adults
Development of core life skills
Access to quality healthcare and education
Fortunately, by understanding the long-term impact of ACEs on adults, many ACEs-related physical and mental health outcomes can improve and achieve successful outcomes.
