How Traumatic Childhood Events Affect Mental Health
Dr. Angela Seabright
| 3 min read
Adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, are potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood.
Children who experience ACEs are at increased risk for mental and physical health problems such as depression, anxiety, substance use and chronic diseases. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), three in four high school students reported one or more ACEs, and one in five experienced four or more of these events.
Here is a look at how traumatic events in childhood can affect mental health, signs of mental health problems in children and where parents can get help.
Traumatic experiences and mental health
Examples of ACEs include:
- Emotional, physical and sexual abuse
- Emotional or physical neglect
- Witnessing domestic violence
- Substance abuse at home
- Living with a person who has a mental illness
- Parental separation or divorce
- Incarceration of a household member
- Having a family member attempt or die by suicide
Adults who had four or more ACEs as children were 12 times more likely to struggle with substance abuse or depression. When a child experiences traumatic events, this can set off their fight or flight response. Prolonged stress can interfere with brain development and increase the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), other mental health disorders and problems with memory, reasoning and emotional regulation.
Preventing ACEs could reduce:
- Suicide attempts among high school students by nearly 90%
- Prescription pain misuse by 84%
- Persistent sadness by 66%
- Adult depression by 78%
- Adult heart disease by 22%
Safe, stable, and nurturing environments are essential to preventing ACEs and creating positive childhood experiences. When an adverse experience does occur, professional treatment and support can reduce the long-term effects, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Identifying signs of poor mental health in children
Signs a child or teen is struggling with their mental health include:
- Persistent sadness, hopelessness or worthlessness
- Excessive worrying
- Irritability or anger
- Difficulty concentrating
- Changes in appetite
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Loss of interest in favorite activities
- Sudden isolation
If parents notice these symptoms, they should talk to their child’s primary care provider. Online screenings are a good place to start, too. Mental Health America offers several tests for conditions including anxiety and depression. Mental health screenings are helpful tools, but they should not replace a full evaluation by a behavioral health professional.
For immediate mental health help in an emergency, parents can contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or National Alliance on Mental Illness Crisis Text Line at 741-741. Parents can also visit bcbsm.com/crisiscare for resources and nearby clinics and learn more about mental health options at bcbsm.com/mentalhealth.
Dr. Angela Seabright is a care management physician at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. For more health tips and information, visit AHealthierMichigan.org.
Image: Getty Images
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