So, why does it matter?

 

Adverse childhood experiences are the number one unaddressed public health issue facing our nation’s youth.

Unresolved trauma can result in long lasting physical, emotional, mental, social and cognitive issues. It is important to note that ACEs are NOT destiny. With positive coping skills and strong support systems, these negative impacts can often be avoided or mitigated.

Common Responses to Trauma:

  • Antisocial behavior

  • Depression / suicidal thoughts

  • Absenteeism

  • Acting like a parent to siblings

  • Eating disorders

  • Dating violence

  • Substance abuse

  • Relationship problems

  • Physical complaints

  • Behavior problems

  • Guilt feelings

  • Depression

  • Stress

  • Anxiety

Emotional Effects:

  • Inability to process emotions through language

  • Diminished capacity for empathy

  • Hypersensitivity to trauma in others

  • Diminished range of emotions 

  • Terror or rage

  • Feelings of worthlessness and shame

  • Bad memories

  • Recurring outbreaks

  • Disassociation

  • Traumatic identity: core identity is shattered by trauma so that the child assumes either a victim or aggressor identity

 
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Social Effects:

  • Isolation

  • Joining of a deviant peer group

  • Extreme reactions of terror or rage

  • Diminished empathy limiting social connections

  • Survival mode restricts motivation to be social 

  • Avoidance restricts capacity to connect to others

  • Diminished language restricts social accountability

  • Traumatic identity leads to persistent victim or aggressor behavior




Physical Effects may lead to:

  • Headaches 

  • Digestive disorders

  • Respiratory disorders

  • Injury

  • Chronic disease

  • Autoimmune disorders

  • Other psychosomatic illnesses

  • Muscle tension

  • Aching joints

  • Clumsiness

  • Altered spacial awareness