Do you have
"a past"? I do. Really, all of us do. Good, bad, or
indifferent, we all have one. When we think about our past, sometimes we might
smile, thinking about the things we did when we were young, or single, or
didn't have children, or bills to pay. Or maybe you are still living" la
vida loca". If so, just make sure
you don't hurt yourself, or others because some choices we make we can't take
back.
What I am really talking about is our
childhood, and what happened in it. I'm
not talking about whether or not you can blame your parents for all the bad
things that happened to you but how your history affects your present
life. Anyway, this is not about
blaming, but rather about giving you the best information possible so you can
make the most informed choices.
I have posted information about these studies before; they are the Adverse Childhood Experiences study, or ACE studies. Research shows that certain things that
happened during your childhood raise your likelihood of having other problems
when you get older. The ACE studies suggest that certain experiences are major risk factors leading to the poor quality of life and death. Realizing these childhood situations or experiences can cause some of the worst health and social issues can aid us in better dealing with the ramifications before they affect other lives and is more likely to assist in prevention and recovery.
Major struggles for children occur when the adverse situations happens to a child is 4 years old or younger or has additional health concerns, such as, cognitive impairment or a chronic physical illness. Parents can have a harder time being a positive parent when they have experienced poor parenting themselves, have a lack of understanding about what their child needs. This is especially true when they are the parent of a child or children who have major physical or mental illnesses. Parents and their children also have more difficulties when they have a history of substance abuse, depression themselves or in their family, or they are young when they become a parent and/or get married, have not completed high school, or received a GED, have a large number of children.
Compared to people with relatively few or no ACE situations, the risk of heavy drinking, self-reported alcoholism, or having a relationship with an alcoholic were increased by two, regardless of parental alcoholism. Adverse childhood experiences seem to account for one half to two thirds of serious problems with teen drug abuse.
Even "small" amounts of verbal abuse can make a serious difference in a child's life The questionnaire asks them if a parent EVER yelled or swore at them, or how often did the family move? How many families would score on these two questions?
Major struggles for children occur when the adverse situations happens to a child is 4 years old or younger or has additional health concerns, such as, cognitive impairment or a chronic physical illness. Parents can have a harder time being a positive parent when they have experienced poor parenting themselves, have a lack of understanding about what their child needs. This is especially true when they are the parent of a child or children who have major physical or mental illnesses. Parents and their children also have more difficulties when they have a history of substance abuse, depression themselves or in their family, or they are young when they become a parent and/or get married, have not completed high school, or received a GED, have a large number of children.
Compared to people with relatively few or no ACE situations, the risk of heavy drinking, self-reported alcoholism, or having a relationship with an alcoholic were increased by two, regardless of parental alcoholism. Adverse childhood experiences seem to account for one half to two thirds of serious problems with teen drug abuse.
Even "small" amounts of verbal abuse can make a serious difference in a child's life The questionnaire asks them if a parent EVER yelled or swore at them, or how often did the family move? How many families would score on these two questions?
While this is just a small piece of the puzzle, I hope it gives you an idea of just SOME of the kinds of things that can set the stage for sexual abuse. Sexual abuse is one of the many things these studies have found can happen even easier in a world in which adverse childhood experiences take place.
Carolyn has been providing therapy for clients for 30+ years and although she has worked with all kinds of clients in all kinds of environments, her passion continues to be providing services for clients who have dealt with sexual abuse issues and trauma. She currently provides all types of therapeutic support for victims of sexual abuse assault rape and incest. Serving Ft. Lauderdale, Palm Beach, and Miami area
Carolyn Wilson, M.S.W., L.C.S.W.
Personal Solutions 954-793-3201
Helping you To Find Your Personal Solutions
Carolyn Wilson, M.S.W., L.C.S.W.
Personal Solutions 954-793-3201
Helping you To Find Your Personal Solutions
