PACEs Science 101

Michael J. Menard’s fascinating book recounts how fourteen children faced uncommon challenges. Yet most of them found the way to overcome their struggles and thrive.

The rigid pursuit of perfection poses a high risk to health and performance. A kinder, more flexible approach to pursuing high standards leads to better health and performance. Perfectionism, which is motivated by fear and self-doubt, is often rooted in adverse childhood experiences.

The body often tells the real story of trauma better than the thinking mind. Before one can verbalize and complete the trauma story, one typically must return to physical equilibrium. Trauma expert Levine explains ways to calm physical and emotional responses to trauma and regain a sense of wholeness.

The Mr. Nice Guy syndrome's dysfunctional thought patterns are common in survivors of adverse childhood experiences. Uprooting these patterns can improve self-esteem and relationships.

The Mr. Nice Guy Syndrome is a curious mixture of appealing strengths, insecurities, and problematic behaviors rooted in adverse childhood experiences. Mr. Nice Guy compensates for hidden childhood wounds by struggling to do everything right, but the syndrome's limited gains come at a cost. The syndrome suggests strategies for a more satisfying adulthood and better relationships.

Acevedo-Garcia, D., McArdle, N., Shafer, L., & Noelke, C. The State of Racial/Ethnic Equity in Children’s Neighborhood Opportunity: First Findings from the Child Opportunity Index 3.0. diversitydatakids.org and Brandeis University. https://www.diversitydatakids.org/research-library/state-racialethnic-equity-childrens-neighborhood-opportunity The Children’s Hospital Association (CHA) has integrated the Child Opportunity Index into its Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS), a vast...

Time and willpower alone will not typically alter overwhelming, disturbing memories from childhood. Seven deadly thoughts can keep survivors of adverse childhood experiences from utilizing effective paths to healing. Disputing these thoughts can open one up to finally heal.

Workshop after workshop asks people to check off their ACE's. Then, presenters tell you about your odds of having all sorts of adverse, unhealthy, or worrisome outcomes. You face doom without mitigation, as the story is told. As a clinician and behavioral scientist, one needs to take a sip of water and some steady breathing before resigning one's self or to affected individuals to the dung heap of life. I recall the first time I heard a breathless clinician talking about ACE's about...

The current conversation about anxiety and depression is lacking a vital dimension: emotions education. We are now learning that many instances of anxiety and depression are actually symptoms of buried core emotions. These types of symptoms could be prevented with more education surrounding emotions and trauma.

Often overlooked, intelligent self-care is vital during and after the recovery process. Tending to important needs optimizes mood, mental health, and the ability to handle everyday stress. These keys say, "I matter," and sustain you in your recovery journey.

A difficult past need not define you, nor determine your future. We explore three paths to building a satisfying life after hardship in childhood.

Vitamin B-12 (cobalamin), is essentially used to treat healthy red blood cell formation, increase metabolism and energy, improve cognition, and assist in the proper breakdown of nutrients in foods (Mayo Clinic 2024). There are several foods that contain this essential vitamin to promote wellness. These include foods that are rich in protein, such as meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, fruit, fiber rich cereals, and dairy products such as milk, butter, cheese, and yogurt. B-12 is a supplement that...