Adverse Childhood Experiences: just the facts
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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 substan...
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