The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study is one of the largest investigations ever conducted on the links between childhood maltreatment and later-life health and well-being.

http://www.acestudy.org/

http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/ACE/

Growing up experiencing any of the following conditions in the household prior to age 18:

1. Recurrent physical abuse
2. Recurrent emotional abuse
3. Contact sexual abuse
4. An alcohol and/or drug abuser in the household
5. An incarcerated household member
6. Someone who is chronically depressed, mentally ill, institutionalized, or suicidal
7. Mother is treated violently
8. One or no parents
9. Emotional or physical neglect

Unfortunately, my childhood was such that I answered yes to all of them. Nine out of nine.

I was really surprised that having an incarcerated family member would fall into the abuse category. I had two in and out of jail quite frequently.

I think from now on if any of our physicians make our physical complaints seem like it's "all in our heads" we need to show them this pyramid.

[Rhapsody]

Sadly.... I answered YES to all of them except #5

I wasn't surprised or sad that I answered YES to ALL of them, in fact I really have no emotions about it at all right now. Yawn. I bore myself with it sometimes.

I think that's because I'm in a "so what--big deal--suck it up" kinda phase.

[iamtwilight]

to everyone who wants em - also answered yes to most - i think?

also, no emotions here. it's calm (and cold) as ice!

- twilight

((( twilight )))

Sometimes numb is good and absolutely neccesary.

[chaotic13]

Very interesting post. The abstract of the 1998 study also sounded interesting. Unfortunately it crashed my browser when I tried to download it.

Sorry!

[deliquesce]

it upsets me that having a household member (not even necessarily a parent) being chronically depressed/suicidal is counted as childhood "maltreatment".

[ThePainNeverDies]

I answered yes to all of them, too.. Not sure how to feel about that really. :/

[iamtwilight]

deliquesce - i think it means that some depressed/suicidal parents are not aware of their actions and might put extra weight on the children's shoulders. (like the mother of yours truly - once when i was hospitalized a nurse had to take her in and tell her that some of the things she was doing were not contributing to my recovery) she means well 100% of the time, but sometimes she has difficulties telling what is appropriate for each situation.. she has never been in therapy and does not believe she has any issues, while her behaviour (explosive temper etc) makes it clear that she has.

there are many wonderful depressed parents on the face of earth, who are aware of this and work on their own attitudes and work with their children to make them understand the depression is not because of them, teach them coping techniques... the list goes on.


twilight

[deliquesce]

thanks, twilight. i guess i'm a bit ??? because something like physical abuse (for example) is always bad, whereas a depressed parents - it really depends on that parent, right?

but it feels better to know that some parents with depression can make it work. i dont have kids (or a husband!) and not sure i want kids, but my T used to say i would be a good mum, but things like this make me worry that i would be bad.

[Junerain]

I had a lack of emotional support..few seem to think I had anything wrong with my childhood...I am a doctor's daughter..a very, very, well off family...no one seems to believe THEY were as cold and snobby and judgemental as they were..still are..I cannot spend time with them too much....they put others down, put others down....

[shezbut]

I know that feeling very well, Orange Blossom. I say those words to myself all of the time! ((hugs)) anyway Na na na na na na!

Shez

[shezbut]

((hugs)) to you twilight! All of the emotions that come with these traumatic experiences are painful, but being removed from all pain and pleasures in life sure does stink . Take care