In the mid-1980’s two doctors who worked at the Centers for Disease Control surveyed near 20.000 patients for various forms of childhood trauma and they were astonished by the results. Childhood emotional trauma and stress have a strong correlation with a greater risk of serious physical illnesses such as heart disease, cancer and chronic lung disease as well as an increased risk for addictions, high risk behavior, and mental illness.
The test is called Adverse Childhood Experience test or ACE test. It is a quick test that generates 1-10 score, which can offer insights and risks to your risk for serious physical, mental health and addiction problems.
The test is based on various categories of adverse childhood experiences.
- Psychological, physical or sexual abuse
- Violence against one’s mother
- Living with household members who were substance abusers, mentally ill, suicidal or imprisoned
- Absence of an emotionally supportive environment
- Physical neglect
- Loss of a parent due to divorce or abandonment.
ACE Test
- Before your 18thbirthday, did a parent or other adult in the household often or very often swear at you, insult you, put you down, humiliate you or act in a way that made you afraid that you might be physically hurt?
Yes or No - Before your 18thbirthday, did a parent or other adult in the household often or very often push, grab, slap or throw something at you, or ever hit you so hard that you had marks or were injured?
Yes or No - Before your 18thbirthday, did an adult or person at least 5 years older than you ever touch or fondle you or have you touch their body in a sexual way? Or attempt to have oral, anal or vaginal intercourse with you?
Yes or No - Before your eighteenth birthday, did you often, or very often feel that no one in the family loved you or thought that you were important or special? Or your family didn’t look out for each other, feel close to each other, or support each other?
Yes or No - Before your 18thbirthday, did you often or very often feel that you didn’t have enough to eat, had to wear dirty clothes and had no one to protect you or that your parents were too drunk or high to take care of you or take you to a doctor if you needed it?
Yes or No - Before your 18thbirthday, was a biological parent ever lost to you through divorce, abandonment or other reason?
Yes or No - Before your 18thbirthday, was your mother or step-mother often or very often pushed, grabbed, slapped or had something thrown at her? Or sometimes, often, or very often kicked, bitten, hit with a flat, or hit with something hard? Or repeatedly hit over at least a few minutes or threatened with a gun or knife?
Yes or No - Before your 18thbirthday, did you live with anyone who was a problem drinker or alcoholic, or used street drugs?
Yes or No - Before your 18thbirthday did anybody try to commit suicide or was anybody mentally ill or seriously depressed in your family?
Yes or No - Before 18thbirthday, did a household member go to prison?
Yes or No
Early adversity greatly influences health throughout life as well as life expectancy. But this does not need to be your fate. Many people are able to work successfully through their issues and turn their life around.
Remember that unresolved trauma keeps showing up in the form of events and nasty people in your life unless you have the courage to look your issues in the face and resolve them.