Hi Amy, There is so much research evidence that supports this indirect link and that offers so much validation for our hunches. I’m glad it is helpful. xoxo
I appreciate what you are trying to do. The original ACEs test does not include much of what has been exceptionally damaging in my childhood. It’s too general and feels dismissive. Now, at age 71, I have multiple autoimmune disorders, thyroid and adrenal issues, heart problems, sleep apnea, lipedema, and a severe hearing loss/sensitivity problem. It was the onslaught of physical ailments, one after another, that made me begin to suspect child abuse as the cause. I fear without addressing recovery from that, the physical issues will never subside. I originally dismissed this as a possibility due to the ACEs test. Quantifying abuse the way the ACES does, does not really get at how affected you are by it.
Dear Kally, I’m sorry to hear about all of these significant health issues you are living and dealing with. Yes, what you describe is indeed what is missing and here is a blog post about surveys that address “Missing ACEs.” I had the same reaction 20 years ago when I first learned of ACEs and when I too was early in my own journey of learning about trauma and its role in chronic illness. My own illness wasn’t included in that list and I thought back then that my score was a zero so I was initially dismissive for those reasons as well. I wish you all the best on this healing journey.
Hello thanks for these surveys. I forgot to add this to my response but perhaps the childhood one should assess whether you had a traumatic accident as a child eg car accident?
Hi Katharine, Thanks for your suggestion! Yes, accidents are an important kind of trauma and I’ve incorporated them in the ACEs Plus (ACEs+107) survey that currently has an additional 107 kinds of trauma that are not included in the regular 10-item ACE survey. You can see or take the ACEs+ survey here.
It is helpful to know that trauma has indeed brought on my chronic illness. Thank you for championing this very important research.
Hi Amy,
There is so much research evidence that supports this indirect link and that offers so much validation for our hunches. I’m glad it is helpful. xoxo
I appreciate what you are trying to do. The original ACEs test does not include much of what has been exceptionally damaging in my childhood. It’s too general and feels dismissive. Now, at age 71, I have multiple autoimmune disorders, thyroid and adrenal issues, heart problems, sleep apnea, lipedema, and a severe hearing loss/sensitivity problem. It was the onslaught of physical ailments, one after another, that made me begin to suspect child abuse as the cause. I fear without addressing recovery from that, the physical issues will never subside. I originally dismissed this as a possibility due to the ACEs test. Quantifying abuse the way the ACES does, does not really get at how affected you are by it.
Dear Kally,
I’m sorry to hear about all of these significant health issues you are living and dealing with. Yes, what you describe is indeed what is missing and here is a blog post about surveys that address “Missing ACEs.” I had the same reaction 20 years ago when I first learned of ACEs and when I too was early in my own journey of learning about trauma and its role in chronic illness. My own illness wasn’t included in that list and I thought back then that my score was a zero so I was initially dismissive for those reasons as well. I wish you all the best on this healing journey.
Hello thanks for these surveys. I forgot to add this to my response but perhaps the childhood one should assess whether you had a traumatic accident as a child eg car accident?
Hi Katharine,
Thanks for your suggestion! Yes, accidents are an important kind of trauma and I’ve incorporated them in the ACEs Plus (ACEs+107) survey that currently has an additional 107 kinds of trauma that are not included in the regular 10-item ACE survey. You can see or take the ACEs+ survey here.