How Our Childhood Stays with Us

“The Deepest Well: Healing The Long-term Effects of Childhood Adversity”

A Book Report by Katelyn Sager

If you’ve been in therapy before, you have probably had a therapist ask about your childhood.

At first glance that may seem unnecessary, especially if your goals for therapy were rooted in present stressors. However, our childhood experiences can shape many aspects of our current lives and how we experience stressors.

More than that, if we have experienced extreme amounts of toxic stress or trauma as children, it can even alter the way our body works into adulthood (Felitti et al., 1998). 

In the book “The Deepest Well: Healing the Long-term Effects of Childhood Adversity”, Nadine Burke Harris shares her personal experiences and her research regarding toxic stress and its impact on human functioning.

Toxic Stress

Toxic stress is when someone experiences adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, and does not have a safe adult or environment to help them process the incident, and increases the likelihood of additional incidents occurring.

The more ACEs a person has the more likely they are to experience health issues into adulthood, unless the person has strong support from adults in their life and is in a safe environment. 

“Toxic stress response can occur when a child experiences strong, frequent, and/or prolonged adversity—such as physical or emotional abuse, neglect, caregiver substance abuse or mental illness, exposure to violence, and/or the accumulated burdens of family economic hardship—without adequate adult support. This kind of prolonged activation of the stress-response systems can disrupt the development of brain architecture and other organ systems, and increase the risk for stress-related disease and cognitive impairment, well into the adult years” (Burke Harris, pg. 3). 

Burke Harris's work empowered health providers to screen for ACEs, enabling them to effectively assist patients and their families in finding support and to closely monitor for diseases and illnesses strongly correlated with a high ACE score. 

Burke Harris explains that toxic stress responses can manifest in various ways, often leading to difficulties in

• regulating emotions,

• forming healthy relationships,

• and coping with challenges later in life.

Toxic Stress and Trauma-Informed Care

Understanding the concept of toxic stress is crucial because it highlights the significant impact early-life experiences can have on our well-being. It shows the importance of addressing childhood adversity to prevent long-term consequences. Fortunately, Burke Harris also offers insights into how we can mitigate the effects of toxic stress and promote resilience.

One key takeaway from her work is the importance of providing children with safe, stable, and nurturing relationships and environments. By cultivating supportive relationships and creating environments that foster security and stability, we can help buffer the effects of adversity and promote healthy development.

Moreover, Burke Harris emphasizes the role of trauma-informed care in addressing the needs of individuals affected by toxic stress. Trauma-informed approaches recognize the prevalence and impact of trauma and strive to create environments that are sensitive to trauma survivors' experiences.

Creating trauma-sensitive environments involves adopting practices that prioritize:

• safety (physical and emotional)

• trustworthiness

• choice

• collaboration

• empowerment

In addition to addressing systemic issues and promoting trauma-informed practices, it's essential for individuals to prioritize their own self-care and seek support when needed. Therapy, mindfulness practices, self-reflection, and building strong support networks are all valuable tools for healing from childhood adversity and building resilience.

Ultimately, Burke Harris's work reminds us of the profound connection between our past experiences and our present well-being. By understanding the impact of childhood adversity and investing in strategies to promote healing and resilience, we can create brighter futures for ourselves and future generations.

How Can This Information Help You as an Adult with ACEs?

If you have experienced adverse childhood experiences and are noticing mental or physical health issues, you are not alone. And there are ways to take care of yourself! First, understand that the symptoms you are experiencing are not your fault. 

Recognizing that your body's response to childhood adversity was a survival mechanism is an important step towards self-compassion. However, it's essential to acknowledge that living in a constant state of stress can take a toll on your health. Fortunately, there are numerous strategies you can use to support your healing journey:

• Seeking therapy can provide a safe space to explore and process past experiences

• Mindfulness practices can help regulate your nervous system and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression

• Engaging with support groups allows you to connect with others who have similar experiences, fostering a sense of belonging and understanding

• Creating safe environments for yourself, whether through setting boundaries or surrounding yourself with supportive individuals, is crucial for your emotional well-being.

• Prioritizing self-care activities such as exercise, adequate sleep, and healthy nutrition can replenish your body and mind

Remember, healing is a journey, and it's okay to seek out additional support services along the way. Below, you'll find resources including the ACEs screener and other tools to guide you as you nurture yourself and create resilience. 

How Can This Information Help You as a Caregiver?

Parents and other caregivers play a critical role in buffering toxic stress for their children. One of the most important ways they can do this is by providing a safe, stable, and nurturing environment.

This involves offering consistent love, support, and guidance, as well as creating routines and boundaries that foster a sense of security. Additionally, parents, teachers, coaches, and other caregivers can help children develop healthy coping mechanisms by teaching them how to regulate their emotions, problem-solve effectively, and seek support when needed.

By prioritizing a children's emotional well-being and fostering strong, trusting relationships, all the people in children’s lives can significantly mitigate the impact of adversity and promote resilience. 

Caregivers who have experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) themselves may face unique challenges in parenting or guiding children, but there are several avenues for support available to them:

• starting therapy

• joining support groups for caregivers with ACEs

• beginning trauma-informed parenting classes

• reading educational resources

• starting self-care practices

• finding local professional support services

Moving toward Thriving

By proactively seeking support and resources, adults navigating their own ACEs can empower themselves to break the cycle of intergenerational trauma and create nurturing, resilient environments to thrive in.

If you’d like support with navigating the ACEs in your life or those of someone you love, we’d be honored to support you.

References

Burke Harris, N. (2018). The Deepest Well: Healing the Long-Term Effects of Childhood Adversity. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Felitti, V. J., Anda, R. F., Nordenberg, D., Williamson, D. F., Spitz, A. M., Edwards, V., ... & Marks, J. S. (1998). Relationship of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many of the leading causes of death in adults: The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study. American journal of preventive medicine, 14(4), 245-258.