VIRTUAL EMDR BLOG
Have You Been Exposed to These 10 Adverse Childhood Experiences?
16 Feb 2017
Tag: PTSD , Childhood Trauma
When parents are absent, neglectful, abusive, or fail to provide a safe, stable, and loving environment, children grow up to be adults with problems.
Read More and take the test.
The study has demonstrated a direct association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and health and social problems as an adult. The data from the ACE Test is taken from tens of thousands of participants across the United States over a period of nearly two decades.
Ready to take the test? Let's begin.
*Answer yes or no for each of the following questions. Each yes answer is one point.
Prior to your 18th birthday:
- Did a parent or other adult in the household often or very often… Swear at you, insult you, put you down, or humiliate you? or Act in a way that made you afraid that you might be physically hurt? Y/N
- Did a parent or other adult in the household often or very often… Push, grab, slap, or throw something at you? or Ever hit you so hard that you had marks or were injured? Y/N
- Did an adult or person at least 5 years older than you ever… Touch or fondle you or have you touch their body in a sexual way? or Attempt or actually have oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse with you? Y/N
- Did you often or very often feel that … No one in your family loved you or thought you were important or special? or Your family didn’t look out for each other, feel close to each other, or support each other? Y/N
- Did you often or very often feel that … You didn’t have enough to eat, had to wear dirty clothes, and had no one to protect you? or Your parents were too drunk or high to take care of you or take you to the doctor if you needed it? Y/N
- Were your parents ever separated or divorced? Y/N
- Was your mother or stepmother:
Often or very often pushed, grabbed, slapped, or had something thrown at her? or Sometimes, often, or very often kicked, bitten, hit with a fist, or hit with something hard? or Ever repeatedly hit over at least a few minutes or threatened with a gun or knife? Y/N - Did you live with anyone who was a problem drinker or alcoholic, or who used street drugs? Y/N
- Was a household member depressed or mentally ill, or did a household member attempt suicide? Y/N
- Did a household member go to prison? Y/N
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Credit: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Unfortunately, as you score higher on the ACE Test, you also have a higher risk of social and mental health problems and even disease.
Does this mean you need therapy? A 12 step group? Group therapy? What about in-patient? EMDR Eye Movement Therapy?
The bad news is that according to research from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), if you score high on the ACE Test the answer is probably yes.
- Myocardial infarction
- Asthma
- Mental distress
- Depression
- Smoking
- Disability
- Reported income
- Unemployment
- Lowered educational attainment
- Coronary heart disease
- Stroke
- Diabetes
It’s important to note that just because you have a high ACE score doesn’t mean you’re doomed. You may have had many positive experiences in your life that balance out the bad things that happened.
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I can't my fiance passed away last week
I have high anxiety and depression and have never dealt with past issues that I really need to look into as I really don’t feel like I want to continue living in this dark place
I have all this my mom died at birth I was raised in addictive home now my adopted mom is dead my dad is a piece of shit I'm living on a air mattress in a kitchen I wish I was never born
All 10 questions were yes. I'm screwed!!!
If i may, i would like to answer Simon. The reason "mother" is used in #7 is because mother was the person who was mentioned most common by a group of about 300 Kaiser members. All 10 questions were taken directly from the trauma this group experienced. Under "other types of childhood trauma" you will find mother against father, siblings, grandmother against grandfather etc. Thanks!
I totally agree with you Simon. Virtual EMDR did not write the test though. It was the US Centers for Disease Control. Please write them and mention this! cdc.gov
whats with #7? Please remove the gender bias. Females are just as capable of being perpetrators as men. sorry but i'm getting over the gender biased approach around domestic violence. #ENDALLDV
My 12-step journey started in Al-anon which led me to Adult Children of Alcoholics (and other dysfunction) where I felt like I was "home". It helped me understand why I am who I am/do what I do and provides support and resources to work toward changing my maladaptive traits as long as I'm committed to doing so. I highly recommend it; it may not be a cure-all but for me it's a big part of the solution. I think people can benefit from using more than one approach, treatment, etc, so I'm intetested in EMDR as a way to hopefully progress more quickly. Good luck to you!
Hello. If you sign up, it is up to you to cancel before the week or the 3 months or whatever is expired. There is not time limit on sessions though. You can do as many sessions as you want while you are a member of Virtual EMDR. If you have more questions contact us at customerservice@virtualemdr.com
HI, if you sign up for the free week, are you notified at the end of the week, if you want ton continue and is there a time limit, if you signed up for 3months and don't need to continue when that is up. I've tried a lot of different therapy modalities and no of them have helped much, with what I've come to understand as developmental and attachment trauma, which is probably the route of my issues. I'mean part of a 12 step fellowship that has been great for stopping drink and drugs but not so good for the early traumas. Cheers
It's not me who says these things are related to life-outcome Rae. It's the Centers for Disease control. The data from this test is based on the CDC researching and using the test on tens-of-thousands of participants.
After reading what i see as much negative aspect on another's upbringing which has nothing to do with the outcome of their self fulfillment unless accepted and refusal to better their outlook on the happenings that were beyond their control to see that they aren't obligated to live out what has been bright forth as "inevitable " or absolute. ... I'm thankful for the shortcomings ice endured, they make me realize just how strong one can be. . Obviously with my score, i shouldn't feel this way. .but who be you or anyone else to tell me how i SHOULD feel about my own past? Thank you for getting back so promptly, it shows dedication to your dictation At least you're doing what makes you feel better.
Im not sure if I understand your question Rae. You scored high on the ACE Test? Therapy can help, or EMDR Therapy, or group treatment. There are lots of things you can do to feel better.
I'm already 41, had open heart surgery to replace my aortic valve which wasn't as successful as hoped so I've been gifted spare wires. ..in the way of pacemaker addition. One of the leads dislodged but it was the one that goes to the chamber that works better than the other and I've written off 9 vehicles 3 of which should've killed me yet left me unscathed, hitchhiked 700 km one way to and from about 15 times (30 trips approx) when 12 to 14 and I'm still here. .. is there am entity looking after me ya think? But wait! There's more! ! To find out, tune in next time for the title of often requested book I've yet to write!
9 What do i do to avoid the negativity that is so imminent in your eyes
The test itself in right in the article. It's only 10 questions, so just keep track of your yes answers. Thanks.
How do I get the test?
I tried to respond to your last email directly, but it kept getting bounced back to me by Gmail. We have a staff to answer your questions, but we were unable to respond to your last request. If you have a functioning email address you can write us from it and we will respond. Hope this helps. Thanks.
I've tried to contact you several times with questions but you have not responded. Do you exist? Are you legitimate? Will you respond now?