

TAM+ EP 83 Unlocking the Impact of Childhood Trauma: The ACEs Study
Aug 28, 2025
Dive into the transformative ACEs study that uncovers how childhood trauma affects mental and physical health in adulthood. Discover the various types of adverse experiences like abuse and neglect, and their long-term implications. Gain insights on recognizing hidden trauma and the importance of addressing it rather than just managing symptoms. Explore practical healing steps, including therapy and community support, designed to foster recovery from the past. Join the conversation about the profound connections between childhood experiences and adult well-being.
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ACEs Strongly Predict Adult Health
- The ACEs study revealed childhood trauma strongly predicts adult mental and physical health outcomes.
- The more ACEs a person had, the more health issues and addiction risk they showed in adulthood.
How The ACEs Study Began
- Dr. Vincent Felitti noticed patients in a weight program repeatedly dropped out despite early success.
- He traced the pattern to adverse childhood experiences among a largely middle-class, employed sample.
Trauma Is Broader Than Extreme Events
- The ACEs study changed the trauma paradigm by showing trauma occurs in middle-class families too.
- Trauma includes less obvious experiences like parental separation, parental mental illness, or substance use at home.