Addressing the Economic and Low Quality-of-Life Effects of ACEs

Hi! Some states have taken the time to quantify what the economic effects of ACEs look like for their residents, and I think it is difficult to do so on a large, general scale, but we can use some of this information as a guide. I wanted to share this site from Tennessee https://www.sycamoreinstitutetn.org/economic-cost-adverse-childhood-experiences. Also, When discussing that ACEs have already happened to someone, and also any time we are discussing ACEs at all, I think it is important to have the ACEs conversation alongside a conversation about resiliency. Since ACEs are not determinant, we have to focus on those core components of resilience like a sense of belonging, coping skills, connection, etc.  Fostering these skills through the community are easier than to just think about social services approaches, and a whole lot cheaper too! I hope this helps you in some way!

Hi, I offer online courses for adults with high ACEs, and focus on 1. healing brain dysregulation that drives CPTSD symptoms and 2. The problems that pile up while one is dysregulated, including relationships, health, finances, parenting, connection with people and more. Later this year I'll be producing a course on work/finance/career. But for now I have about 120 articles, 80 videos, five courses, free webinars and paid coaching. This is a very ground-up approach that helps whether or not one has access to professional help.  See my website at https://crappychildhoodfairy.com

Good morning.  Jonnie Kifer touched on the most important bit of information already, which is the development of those factors that strengthen resilience.  This person will need a support network, which should include friends, family (whether blood relatives or chosen family), coworkers, and professionals like therapists or social workers.  It is basically impossible to learn and really internalize what you need to overcome the negative impact of ACEs on sense of self and self-esteem without outside help, because of the way that ACEs can distort our perception and make us vulnerable to some of the worst cognitive distortions.  Anyone can have cognitive distortions, but distortions like filtering and catastrophizing I find are more common and more deep-seated in people with ACEs.  This article helps shed light on some cognitive distortions: https://psychcentral.com/lib/1...gnitive-distortions/

The other thing besides developing those supportive connections and getting our thinking/perception clear is to let go of resentments.  I believe this is tied to fallacious thinking involving a belief in "inherent justice," but the reality is that we are never really going to be restored, compensated, or "made whole" after what was done to us in childhood.  Holding on to the anger and the resentment and the bitterness only hurts us, no one else.  It holds us back from reaching our full potential because we are stuck believing that we are owed something that is, frankly, not going to come from outside of ourselves.  Letting go of that resentment is what sets our minds free, and gives us the ability to actually see the good things we do have in life.  Things like mindfulness, meditation, and daily thankfulness can help, but all the mindfulness in the world won't help someone who is stuck in their own prison of anger and resentment.

I suggest looking at ACEs Connection's resource lists ACEs Science Books and ACEs Science for Communities. In addition, some other categories in the Resources Center may have information related to your search. Hope this helps!