ACES

What are Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES)?

ACES are potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood. Some examples are:

• Witnessed and/or experienced violence in the home or community

• Grew up in a household with a caregiver with substance abuse, mental health problems, and/or being incarcerated

• Suffered abuse, neglect, and/or abandonment by your primary caregiver

• Faced discrimination due to your ability, color, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, or other areas of diverse identities 

• Experienced parental separation/divorce

• Experienced a primary attachment figure’s illness and/or death

• Lived with instability, e.g., unstable housing, frequent school changes, not having enough food,  multiple foster care placements, fled Country of origin 

How Does the Impact of ACES Look Like in Adults?

ACES can have a lasting impact on the development of the parts of the brain that regulate emotions, stress sensitivity, and the immune system. ACES can also negatively impact one's capacities for attention, learning, and forming stable relationships. Furthermore, childhood trauma increases the risk for a range of chronic diseases later in life. The impact of ACES on individuals varies depending on multiple factors and they may look like the following:

ADULTS

• Feeling sad, hopeless, irritable, agitated, restless, or angry 

• Having trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting up to start your day

• Feeling overwhelmed and finding it difficult to control your worries

• Having difficulty concentrating and making decisions 

• Having relationship problems with people who matter the most to you

• Feeling guilty, ashamed, or worthless 

• Fatigue, low energy, or getting tired easily 

• Experiencing chronic aches and pains with no known medical cause

• Avoiding social activities or having difficulty connecting with others

• Not interested or motivated to do anything, even things that once brought you joy and pleasure

• Experiencing caregiver strain, resentment, or anger in caring for an aging parent

WORKING PROFESSIONALS

• Think you might have ADHD, because you are restless, unable to concentrate on tasks, irritable, and impulsive. Yet, you don't meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD.

• Procrastinating with or being overwhelmed by tasks

• Working long hours due to your perfectionistic tendency 

• Experiencing performance anxiety and ruminate after work about work

• Despite achievements, still feel self conscious and lack confidence

PARENTS

• Experiencing anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive symptoms or other mental health issues during pregnancy and/or postpartum

• Finding yourself frequently irritable or angry with your child(ren) but hesitate to talk about it and seek help

• Struggling with transitions, such as separation, divorce, becoming a blended family

SENIORS

• Having relationship difficulties with your adult child(ren)

• Overwhelmed by changes that come with the aging process 

• Difficulty coping with a chronic illness or adjusting to an acquired physical disability 

• Grieving the loss(es) of significant others, family members, and friends