What Are ACES?

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are “highly stressful, and potentially traumatic, events or situations that occur during childhood and/or adolescence. They can be a single event, or prolonged threats to, and breaches of, the young person’s safety, security, trust or bodily integrity.” (Young Minds, 2018).

Examples of ACEs:

Physical abuse
Sexual Abuse
Emotional Abuse
Living with someone who abused drugs
Living with someone who abused alcohol
Exposure to domestic violence
Living with someone who has gone to prison
Living with someone with a serious mental illness
Losing a parent through divorce, death or abandonment

How common are ACEs?

In a 2014 UK study on ACEs

47% of people experienced at least one ACE
9% of the population having 4+ ACES (Bellis et al, 2014).

ACEs are commonly measured using a 10-point questionnaire developed by Felitti et al., 1998 Click here to take the ACE Test

The video below offers a thoughtful look into Claire ACEs; we encourage you to watch and reflect.

What is the IMPACt OF Aces?

Evidence shows that trauma, especially in childhood, can have a devastating long-term impact on a person's mental and physical wellbeing and that these ACE's are a huge factor in criminal behaviour and addiction.

In simple terms, neurological pathways get stuck in 'fight or flight' mode and these people often present with challenging symptoms of emotional dysregulation:

Poor decision making
High levels of anger and shame
Depression and anxiety
Self-harm, suicidal thoughts, or attempts
Substance misuse and alcohol abuse
Highly conflictual interpersonal relationships
High risk sexual behaviour
Disordered eating

These emotional challenges give rise to patterns of chaotic lifestyle and disengagement from service providers which increases their level of vulnerability.

ACEs can also impact physical health increasing the risk of heart disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. Studies also show that those with 6 or more ACEs can have a reduced life expectancy by 20 years (Blackburn & Darwen Study).

To learn more about ACEs and how they impact adulthood,
Watch this video