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ACEs

What are they?

ACEs are adverse childhood experiences that

occur before age 18. ACEs can cause toxic stress and subsequent problems In the absence of
protective factors       

ABUSE

Emotional
Physical
Sexual

NEGLECT

Emotional
Physical

HOUSEHOLD

DISTRESS

Witnessing: 
Divorce, Separation, Death, Abuse, Mental Illness, Drug Use,
Alcohol Use, Incarceration

Neurodevelopment

The brainstem and structures of the limbic system are the first to detect toxic stress in the environment. 
These structures are:

Toxic stress and the

PREFRONTAL CORTEX

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  • Loses neurons and neural connections

  • Weakens executive functions such as decision making, mood, memory, impulse control, behaviour control, creativity.

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Toxic stress and the

BRAIN STEM

The brain is wired so that social, emotional, and cognitive skills are intertwined.
 

Impaired neurodevelopment

as a result of toxic stress negatively impacts
these connections.

Social, Emotional, & Cognitive

Adoption of

HEALTH

RISK

BEHAVIORS

Health risk behaviors are often adopted as
coping mechanisms from exposure to ACEs. 

A dose-response relationship exists between exposures to ACEs and risk factors
associated with morbidity and mortality.

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Health Risk Behaviors

and

ACEs

Exposure

to

ACEs

​

DISEASES

that contribute to the leading causes of death in the United States

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How does this happen?

Direct changes to 

Physiology

In a stressful situation, the body prepares itself to flee from danger.

 

Stress triggers The HPA Axis.

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As a result, high concentrations of             Cortisol and        Adrenaline
enter in the blood stream.

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This increases heart rate,
blood pressure, and muscle vigor.

Adrenaline stiumlates increased glucose to the brain, muscles,
and organs.

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COMPLICATIONS

TOO MUCH
ADRENALINE
is associated with

​

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  • High glucose levels

  • Increased insulin resistance

  • Type two diabetes

  • Increased blood lipid levels 

Without prevention and intervention, the effects of ACEs and toxic stress can continue to make people sick and
die young.

 

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trouble maintaining social support networks.

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Increased likelihood to fail in the education system, join gangs,
be unemployed, poor, homeless, incarcerated, and be a single parent.

Parents who have experienced ACEs have a harder time being buffers and providing safety for their children.

 

This propagates social inequalities and fragile families for future generations.

​

Along with ACEs , structural problems like discrimination contribute to these outcomes.

Other challenges of coping with ACEs in the absence of protective factors:

 

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WHAT WILL YOU DO?

ACES: Portfolio
SSS

ACES

ADVERSE
CHILDHOOD
EXPERIENCES 

Will you be ready to treat your patients?

Risky Behaviors

70% of your patients will have had at least one ACE in their childhood. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have been identified as a root cause for chronic diseases, chronic illnesses, and mortality in adulthood.

Physiologic
Stress
Response​

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Toxic stress and the

AMYGDALA

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  • Hypertrophies

  • Stays overactive

  • Stays primed for danger

  • Activates the...

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Toxic stress and the

HIPPOCAMPUS

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  • Loses neurons and neural connections

  • Contributes to memory loss

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  • Osteoporosis

  • Arthritis

  • Gastrointestinal issues

  • Depression

  • Anorexia

  • Hyperthyroidism

  • Diabetes

  • Difficulty preventing infections

  • Shrinking of lymph nodes and the thymus gland. 

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