What is trauma & do I have it?

Trauma in childhood can be referred to as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Adverse Childhood Experiences- things like abuse, neglect, domestic violence, or growing up around addiction or mental illness- can leave deep & lasting marks. Every person is different & can respond to these differently. For some people they don't feel significantly impacted but for most the impact can feel overwhelming. If you’ve lived through these kinds of experiences, it’s important to know that you’re not alone, & what happened to you matters.

ACEs can shape how we see ourselves, how we relate to others, & how we respond to stress- even long after childhood. Acknowledging them isn’t about blame or shame; it’s about understanding how your past might still be affecting your present, & recognising the strength it’s taken to get where you are today.

You deserve support, healing, & hope. By facing these experiences with honesty & compassion, you open the door to greater self-awareness, connection, & resilience.

What happened to you doesn’t define you, but understanding it can help you reclaim your story & move forward with more clarity, intention & self compassion.

What are ACEs?

ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) are stressful or traumatic events that happen before you turn 18. They don’t just mean abuse or neglect, they cover a wide range of difficult experiences, including but not exclusive to:

Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse

Being verbally or psychologically abused or degraded
Neglect; when your basic needs like food, safety, or hygiene aren’t met

Having caregivers who were emotionally detached & disinterested
Witnessing violence or domestic abuse

Being care experienced
Having someone close experience suicidality or completing suicide

Living with a parent or caregiver struggling with addiction, mental illness, or having a close family member in prison
Parental separation, divorce, or loss of a parent
Homelessness or severe financial hardship
Having a parent or caregiver who is unpredictable or inconsistent
Being raised by controlling or abusive religious or community leaders or family members
Growing up in an environment where your feelings, identity, or needs were ignored or dismissed
Being raised to believe you should lie about your reality to keep up appearances
Not having a positive caregiver to help you process painful or frightening experiences
Experiencing bullying, discrimination, or exclusion because of who you are

Being raised in a war striken place

Many people don’t just experience one of these, they live through several, often at the same time. The effects can build up & last long into adulthood.

ACEs shape how you see the world & yourself. They affect how your brain & body respond to stress & can have a deep impact on your mental, emotional, & physical health.

How do ACEs Affect Behaviour in Adulthood?

If you’ve experienced ACEs, you might notice things like:

Feeling anxious or panicked a lot
Feeling really down, sad, or hopeless

Often working hard to make sure others are happy before you can relax
Getting angry quickly or having mood swings
Finding it hard to trust people or getting scared of being alone
Struggling to set limits or say no
Hurting yourself or having thoughts about suicide

Making attempts to end your life

Feeling like you don't deserve help or are wasting people's time

Feeling like the only way out of pain &/or shame is to end your life

Using drugs, alcohol, gambling, sex or other distractions addictively to block out pain
Feeling numb or like you’re not really present
Finding it hard to focus or remember things
Acting without thinking or taking dangerous risks
Trying too hard to be perfect or please others
Feeling overwhelmed by your emotions or shutting down
Having a hard time asking for or accepting help
Working to excess or filling your schedule so much that you don't have time to consider how you feel

Feeling like you’re always on high alert, waiting for something bad to happen
Physical problems like headaches, stomach aches, or ongoing pain caused by stress
Pulling away from others or being alone a lot

Struggling to relax without worrying that you need to do things

Lying unnecessarily, sometimes without even planning to. Usually if you feel you might get in trouble or disappoint someone
Struggling to handle everyday stress or frustration
Feeling confused by how others manage life

Fixating on fixing people or things, feeling unable to 'give up'

Doing things that make you physically unwell to get the attention of others such as not eating or not taking important medication in the hope people will see how bad things feel for you

Finding it hard to take care of yourself or stick to daily routines
Getting too dependent on others or feeling stuck in unhealthy relationships
Continuing relationships with people who hurt you, hoping they’ll change

Being very independent or never relying on anyone for anything

Feeling like you are incapable of loving & being loved

Feeling like you can never experience joy or peace

These are not your faults, they’re ways your mind & body learned to keep you safe when things were tough. Now you are an adult you can learn how to reduce these negative feelings & behaviours & embed positive & healthy ways of living.

You’re not broken. Understanding ACEs can help you make sense of your struggles & start taking steps toward feeling better.

What is trauma & do I have it?

Trauma in childhood can be referred to as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

What are ACEs?

How do ACEs Affect Behaviour in Adulthood?

EMBRACE is here to support you when you’re ready

There are no waiting lists & help is always free.

What is trauma & do I have it?

Trauma in childhood can be referred to as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

What are ACEs?

How do ACEs Affect Behaviour in Adulthood?

EMBRACE is here to support you when you’re ready

There are no waiting lists & help is always free.

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