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Traumatic events in childhood negatively impact mental and physical health across the lifespan. These adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, are common but also preventable.
Individuals who face or witness a life-threatening or traumatic event, serious injury, sexual violence, or learn of a family member who experienced such an event, are at risk of developing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
ACEs are linked to an increased risk of chronic health conditions, mental health conditions, and substance use disorders, and decreased educational and vocational achievement.
Although traumatic events and adverse experiences increase an individual’s mental and physical comorbidities, individuals who have been traumatized often avoid seeking care. Avoidance behaviors and the stigma associated with pursuing psychiatric care often prevent individuals from obtaining the care they need.
Resources Mentioned in the Video
Screening Tools
Other Resources
Merikangas KR, He JP, Burstein M, et al. Lifetime prevalence of mental disorders in U.S. adolescents: results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication–Adolescent Supplement (NCS-A). J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2010 Oct;49(10):980-9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2946114/
Swedo EA, Aslam MV, Dahlberg LL, et al. Prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences Among U.S. Adults — Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2011–2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2023;72:707–715. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7226a2
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