Pause. Breathe. Hope. Heal.
Dear Reader! To make life easier for you, I wanted to give you this information in a couple different formats. You can either read this blog post, or click the link below to download the podcast and listen to the episode on the go.
ACEs stands for Adverse Childhood Experiences. There are three categories of ACEs:
- Abuse
- Neglect
- Household dysfunction
ACEs can include things like:
- Physical abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Physical neglect
- Emotional neglect
- Substance abuse
- Having an incarcerated relative
These experiences can have a major influence on our health. The more cumulative ACEs children experience, the more adverse effects it can have on them later on in life. The research shows that as one’s ACE score increases, so does the possibility for negative health outcomes.
As the nervous system is activated and stays in that state for long periods of time, things like a person’s health can then become affected. Over time, they may begin to suffer from physical illnesses such as diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. They may struggle with depression and suicide ideation. They may try to cope with their stress by smoking cigarettes, and using drugs or alcohol.
Here’s the thing, this is not all bad news if you have a higher ACE score. Why? Because an ACE score doesn’t factor in the myriad of positive experiences that could have helped to foster resilience in you. There are many people who have experienced adverse situations in their childhood who have thrived in spite of the challenges in their early years. You cannot change what you don’t acknowledge, and knowing your ACE score can give you an opportunity to reflect on your childhood and see if you need some extra extra support and care in this season of your life.
If you’d like to know your ACE score, click on the photo link below to take the ACEs quiz!
I want to remind you of the importance of regulating yourself. Please remember to take a moment in your day to pause, breathe, hope, and heal.
If you would like to see if we would be a good therapeutic fit, schedule a free 20-minute consultation by clicking the button below.
