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Adverse childhood experiences: just the facts

When we are growing up, the experiences we have can affect the development of our body and brain. This means that our mental health including our thoughts, feelings and behaviours can be changed by the experiences we live through.

If you are exposed to stress over a long period during childhood, this can disrupt healthy brain development and may impact the way we view and relate to ourselves, other people and the world around us.

What are Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)?

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are a range of events that are highly stressful, potentially traumatic events, that occur during childhood and/or adolescence. These events may be one-off events or they may be repeated experiences.

Examples of ACEs include:

  • physical abuse
  • emotional abuse
  • sexual abuse
  • physical neglect
  • emotional neglect
  • bullying
  • exposure to war or terrorism
  • parental separation or loss
  • exposure to domestic violence
  • removal from a family home
  • or living with someone who uses alcohol or substances, who has been to prison or has difficulties with their mental health

(Other experiences can be classed as ACEs but may not have been included in this list)

What impact do ACEs have?

Although sometimes stress can be helpful for us, too much stress or too many adverse experiences can impact the way we view ourselves, other people and the world.

Experiencing ACEs can result in us viewing other people and the world as dangerous and chaotic. This can result in us being on ‘alert’ all the time and on the look out for danger. We might react more quickly and strongly to things than some other people do. It might also impact on our sleep and our mood. We might try to do things (that aren’t that good for us) to distract from these difficult feelings (such as smoking, vaping, taking drugs or using alcohol).

I experienced ACES, does this mean I have mental health problems?

Not necessarily.  Studies have shown that nearly half the population has experienced one ACE* but this doesn’t necessarily mean that you will struggle with mental or physical health problems.  This is especially true if you had a strong attachment with one trusted adult as you grew up and if you felt safe and secure in your home environment.

The more ACES you experienced and the length of time you experienced them for can have an impact on your mental health.  It can be helpful to reflect on how you tend to act, especially when you feel stressed, because this can lead you to helpful ideas to try when you are feeling under pressure or emotional.

Maybe think of a time when you felt emotional or stressed. How did you react to this situation? Once the heat of the moment had passed, did you think you might have over-reacted or been more emotional than your peers for example? If so, read on for some ideas that might help you to deal with tricky moments and situations more calmly.

Ideas to help manage emotional moments

When we feel trapped, under pressure or stressed, our body kicks in with a fight, flight or freeze response. This means we might lash out, leave the situation or just stop like we are frozen, a bit like we are a statue.

Healthier ways to respond when in that moment can be found here.

How can I manage my own mental health?

There are lots of ways you can help improve your own mental health.  Click here for some things that you can try.

From a young person: It was scary to realise I had ACEs – I found secondary school really hard and experienced lots of bullying. I would urge you most to speak to someone you trust, for me this was my English teacher and she helped me to report this further and created a safe space for me to spend my lunch times. From a Young person: It was hard to accept that what I was experiencing was emotional abuse. It took me seeing a documentary of another person struggling from this to acknowledge that this is also what I was going through. For any other young people struggling with anything, I want you to know you’re not alone and so many others go through hard things too.

 

Useful resources

Peer Support Workers from CAMHS in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland have created a ‘ACEs Project Booklet.’ This booklet shares useful tips you can try to help you manage some of the negative feelings relating to experiencing ACEs. Click here to view the ACEs Booklet created by Peer Support Workers from CAMHS in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. 

If you would like support around ACEs, then you could speak to a school nurse/school pastoral team or your GP.

How to get help

If you have any more questions on this area or would like to speak to somebody about this topic, have a look at the links or search for your local services in the blue box below. Alternatively, you can always contact your school nurse.

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