What's Your ACE Score?
May 08, 2024
Studies show that brain imaging can be so helpful in making a PTSD or trauma diagnosis, but Amen Clinics physicians also use a host of additional proven tools to evaluate past trauma that may be linked to present-day mental health problems.
One of them is a well-respected assessment called ACEs-Adverse Childhood Experiences.
This quiz is comprised of 10 questions related to traumatic experiences prior to the age of 18.
Scores range from 0 to 10 with higher scores representing an increased risk for mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression.
Elevated ACE scores also impact physical health, increasing the risk for 7 out of 10 of the leading causes of death in the United States.
Here's more about ACEs and your health:
"Childhood trauma increases the risk for seven out of ten of the leading causes of death in the United States. In high doses, it affects brain development, the immune system, hormonal systems, and even the way our DNA is read and transcribed. Folks who are exposed in very high doses have triple the lifetime risk of heart disease and lung cancer and a 20-year difference in life expectancy. The CDC-Kaiser ACE Study, conducted between 1995-1997, was the first to examine the relationship between early childhood adversity and negative lifelong health effects. The research found that the long-term impact of ACEs determined future health risks, chronic disease, and premature death. Individuals who had experience multiple ACEs also faced higher risks of depression, addiction, obesity, attempted suicide, mental health disorders, and other health concerns. It also revealed that ACEs were suprisingly common-almost two-thirds of respondents, part of the largely white, well-off sample, reported at least one ACE."
- Dr. Nadine Burke Harris
In the Overcome Anxiety, Depression, Trauma and Grief course, Dr. Amen and Tana Amen dig deeper into the impact of ACEs scores. And if you have a high score, they share how to heal from childhood abuse, neglect, or other trauma.
Go here to learn more about The Overcome Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and Grief Course.
Until next time...Take Care of You!
P.S. Use the code OADTG15 to get a 15% Discount at checkout. This offer only goes through the end of May!
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