Finding Your ACE Score...

Photo from SR Norrbotten.

These questions from the ACE-study can give one an indication of what abuse is I think:

1. Did a parent or other adult in the household often or very often...

• Swear at you, insult you, put you down, or humiliate you?
• Act in a way that made you afraid that you may be physically hurt?

2. Did a parent or other adult in the household often or very often...

• Push, grab, slap, or throw something at you?
• Ever hit you so hard that you had marks or were injured?

3. Did an adult or person at least 5 years older than you ever...

• Touch you or fondle you or have you touch their body in a sexual way?
• Attempt or actually have oral, anal or vaginal intercourse with you?

4. Did you often or very often feel that...

• No one in your family loved you or thought you were important or special?
• Your family didn't look out for each other, feel close to each other, or support each other?

5. Did you often or very often feel that you...

• Didn't have enough to eat, had to wear dirty clothes, and had no one to protect you?
• Your parents were too drunk or high to take care of you or take you to the doctor if you needed?

6. Were your parents ever separated or divorced?

• Yes.
• No.

7. Was you mother or stepmother:

• Often or very often pushed, grabbed, slapped, or had something thrown at her?
• Sometimes, often, or very often kicked, bitten, hit with a fist, or hit with something hard?
• Ever repeatedly hit at least a few minutes or threatened with a gun or knife?

8. Did you live with anyone who was a problem drinker or alcoholic or who used street drugs?

• Yes.
• No.

9. Was a household member depressed or mentally ill, or did a household member attempt suicide?

• Yes.
• No.

10. Did a household member go to prison?

• Yes.
• No.

• 
  

And what about emotional abuse?
The more or better you have processed these things the better?? Maybe only by writing about it?

And as it stands on the ACE-site:

"It's not just water
under the bridge.
ACEs are surprisingly
common among people of
all social strata, and have
far-reaching
consequences. For many
people, it's not possible to
'just get over it'."