Be Your Own First Responder - Heal Childhood Trauma

Understanding the Lifelong Connection Between Early Experiences and Overall Wellness & What You Should Do About It

Our health is impacted by a variety of different factors, everything from our genetics to our environment. The factors that have the largest determination on an individuals wellness as well as their life expectancy are called Social Determinants of Health (SDOH). Social determinants of health are the non-medical systemic conditions in which people are born, grow, work, and essentially live. Some of the qualifying factors within this category are economic stability, education access, environment ( safe housing, reliable transportation, access to clean water and air, etc.), and societal interaction ( discrimination, exposure to violence, etc).

Childhood (Ages 0-17) is a very important age for development as well as health. Thus displaying that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and social determinants of health are interconnected, as both shape long-term physical, emotional, and social well-being. ACEs such as abuse, neglect, household dysfunction, community violence, or chronic instability are often more common in environments affected by poverty, limited access to healthcare, housing insecurity, discrimination, food scarcity, and under-resourced schools. These social determinants create chronic stress conditions that can negatively impact brain development, emotional regulation, immune functioning, and overall health across the lifespan. In fact, individuals with high ACE exposure may find it difficult to obtain stable employment, cultivate and maintain healthy relationships, access healthcare, or sustain financial security, which can continue to perpetuate cycles of poor health and socioeconomic disadvantage.

ACE scores are determined by tallying traumatic environments that have been experienced before the age of 18. These scores range from 0 to 10 and score measures three categories of childhood trauma: abuse, neglect, and household challenges.

Care to know yours?

Answer the questions below and give yourself one point for each question that you answer yes.

1. During your childhood, did a parent or adult in your home frequently yell at you, insult you, embarrass you, or make you feel unsafe or threatened with physical harm?

   
   

2. During your childhood, did a parent or adult in your home ever physically hurt you by pushing, grabbing, slapping, throwing objects, or hitting you hard enough to leave injuries or marks?

   
   

3. Before the age of 18, did an adult or someone significantly older than you ever engage in inappropriate sexual contact with you or attempt any form of sexual activity?

   
   

4. Growing up, did you often feel unloved, unsupported, unimportant, or emotionally disconnected from your family?

   
   

5. During childhood, did you ever experience neglect such as not having enough food, clean clothing, medical care, or adequate supervision because caregivers were impaired or unavailable?

   
   

6. Did your parents or primary caregivers separate or divorce during your childhood?

   
   

7. Did you witness your mother, stepmother, or another caregiver being physically harmed, threatened, or abused by a partner or household member?

   
   

8. Did you live with someone who struggled with alcohol misuse, substance use, or addiction?

   
   

9. Did you live with a household member who experienced significant mental health challenges or attempted suicide?

   
   

10. Did anyone living in your household serve time in jail or prison during your childhood?

Total:_______

Score Meanings:

Score of 0: Indicates no identified exposure to the 10 ACE categories assessed. This is generally considered a lower risk level for toxic stress and related long-term health concerns.

Score of 1–3: Falls within a low-to-moderate risk range. At this level, supportive relationships, early intervention, education, and protective factors are especially important in promoting resilience and reducing potential negative outcomes.

Score of 4 or Higher: Considered a high-risk category. Research suggests that individuals with ACE scores of 4 or more have a significantly increased likelihood of developing chronic health conditions, mental health challenges, and other serious long-term physical and emotional health concerns.

The truth about childhood trauma is that we all survive it and we bear the responsibility as adults to become the first responders to situations from our childhood that can threaten our wellbeing. Some of the best ways that you can support yourself is through the regulation of the nervous system - utilizing mindfulness techniques, exercise, adequate sleep, and journaling. Seeking help through therapy can also be beneficial in processing difficult experiences as well as developing healthier thought patterns and relationships for your future self.

I hope this is helpful to you in your journey of self exploration.

In health,

Lola