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Our relationships and experiences, especially in childhood, play a profound role in shaping our health and overall wellbeing. Traumatic events or difficult experiences during early years can leave lasting effects on both the mind and body. One tool that helps us understand this impact is the ACES Questionnaire—a 10-item survey designed to measure Adverse Childhood Experiences.
What Are ACES?
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) refer to potentially traumatic events that occur during childhood, such as abuse, neglect, or growing up in a household with substance misuse, mental health issues, or domestic violence. Unfortunately, childhood trauma is more common than we might realize. Millions of people have experienced some form of adversity in their early years, which can have long-term effects on their mental and physical health.
The Link Between ACES and Health Risks
Research is uncovering a strong connection between high ACES scores and the risk of developing serious health conditions later in life. Some of the most common issues associated with a high ACES score include:
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Stroke
- Substance use disorders
- Mental health disorders
- Homelessness
When a child experiences trauma, their body may remain in a prolonged state of stress, known as a toxic stress response. This is the body’s natural “fight or flight” reaction, designed to protect us from immediate threats. However, when this stress response is activated repeatedly or remains ongoing due to constant exposure to trauma, it can become toxic. The body stays in a heightened state of alert, which over time leads to wear and tear on multiple systems, increasing the risk for the health conditions mentioned above.
Understanding your ACES score is an important first step toward healing and protecting your health. While we cannot change the past, becoming aware of how our early experiences affect us can empower us to take control of our wellbeing and pursue the help we need to build healthier futures.
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