ACES Childhood Trauma Test

Childhood experiences shape how we think, feel, and relate to the world—often in ways we don’t fully recognize until adulthood. If you’ve ever wondered whether difficult moments from your past might still be affecting your present, you’re not alone. The Childhood Trauma Test (ACES Quiz) is a simple, confidential way to gain insight into how your early life may be influencing your mental, emotional, and physical health today.

Take our free quiz now to better understand your ACE score. If your results reveal unresolved trauma, know that healing is possible.

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ACES Childhood Trauma Test

What Are Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES)?

Adverse Childhood Experiences—better known as ACEs—are potentially traumatic events that happen to children under 18. These include all forms of abuse (emotional, physical, sexual), household dysfunction (such as domestic violence, substance use, mental illness, incarceration), neglect, parental separation or divorce, and more

The ACE framework comes from the large-scale CDC–Kaiser Permanente study in the mid-1990s involving over 17,000 adults. It found that nearly 70% had at least one ACE and about 12–15% had four or more. This groundbreaking research showed a direct “dose-response” link: the more ACEs someone has, the higher their risk for health problems, like heart disease, diabetes, depression, and substance use later in life.

Understanding ACEs isn’t about blame; it’s about awareness. They’re hallmark signs that your childhood carried stressors that might still be echoing today.

Understanding Your ACES Score

Your ACE score reflects cumulative exposure, not personal failure. Here’s how professionals interpret it:

The original CDC–Kaiser study found that people with 4+ ACEs had:

Each additional ACE increases the risk for nearly every chronic disease and behavior issue.

However, an ACE score is not destiny. It’s a powerful indicator and a starting point toward healing and wellness.

Signs and Symptoms of Childhood Trauma in Adults

The impact of childhood trauma doesn’t end when childhood does. Many adults carry the emotional, mental, and physical weight of early adversity without even realizing it. While everyone’s experience is unique, there are several common ways unresolved childhood trauma can show up later in life:

Emotional & Psychological Symptoms of Childhood Trauma

Adults with a history of childhood trauma often experience:

Chronic anxiety or an ongoing sense of fear, even when nothing is obviously wrong
Depression, numbness, or emotional shutdown
Emotional dysregulation, such as quick temper, panic attacks, or feeling overwhelmed by minor stressors
Hypervigilance, or always being on guard, as if danger could strike at any moment
Difficulty trusting others, especially in relationships or authority figures

Cognitive Symptoms

Trauma can also impact how your brain processes thoughts and memories:

Trouble concentrating, staying organized, or completing tasks
Memory issues, including forgetfulness or blank spots around traumatic events
Persistent self-criticism, low self-worth, or perfectionism that feels impossible to shake
Negative thinking patterns, such as catastrophizing or assuming the worst

Behavioral Symptoms

Many adults adopt coping mechanisms to manage the unresolved pain from childhood, including:

Substance use, compulsive behaviors, or risk-taking to self-soothe or escape
Disordered eating, such as bingeing, restricting, or using food for emotional regulation
Sleep disturbances, including insomnia, nightmares, or extreme fatigue

Physical Symptoms

Because the body stores trauma, the effects aren’t just mental or emotional. These symptoms often stem from prolonged exposure to toxic stress, which floods the body with stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline:

Chronic pain, especially in the back, neck, or jaw
Digestive problems like IBS, nausea, or bloating
Frequent illnesses due to a dysregulated immune system
Cardiovascular issues, including high blood pressure and heart disease

Interpersonal Symptoms

Early trauma can deeply affect how we connect with others:

Unstable or intense relationships, especially romantic ones
Fear of abandonment, rejection, or betrayal—even without clear cause
Avoidant or anxious attachment styles, which can make intimacy feel threatening or overwhelming
Difficulty setting boundaries, or a tendency to people-please to avoid conflict

When childhood trauma goes unaddressed, it can continue to shape every aspect of adult life, from how you see yourself, to how you respond to stress, to how safe you feel in your own body. Over time, this toxic stress wears on the brain, nervous system, and immune function, raising the risk for a wide range of physical and mental health conditions.

The good news is that trauma doesn’t have to define your future. With the right support, healing is not only possible, it’s transformative. The Meadowglade offers trauma-informed care designed to help you reconnect with safety, build resilience, and live more freely in the present.

What To Expect After I Complete The Childhood Trauma Test?

Your ACEs score provides valuable insight into your childhood experiences, but it’s important to remember that this number doesn’t define you or predict your future.

A higher score simply indicates greater exposure to adverse childhood experiences, while a lower score suggests fewer such exposures. Regardless of your score, many people find that taking the test brings up emotions or memories, which is completely normal. Some individuals feel relief in having their experiences acknowledged, while others may feel overwhelmed or surprised by their results.

If your ACEs score is higher than you expected, or if you’re currently struggling with symptoms that may be related to childhood trauma—such as anxiety, depression, difficulty with relationships, chronic health issues, or substance use—seeking professional support can be tremendously beneficial. Trauma-informed therapy approaches, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), or trauma-focused therapy, have shown significant effectiveness in helping people heal from childhood trauma. These treatments can help you develop healthy coping strategies, process difficult experiences, and build resilience.

Mental health treatment options vary widely and can be tailored to your specific needs and circumstances. Individual therapy provides a safe space to work through trauma with a trained professional, while group therapy can offer connection with others who have similar experiences. Some people benefit from specialized treatments like somatic therapy, which addresses how trauma is stored in the body, or family therapy when childhood trauma affects current relationships.

Remember that healing is possible at any stage of life, and taking the ACEs test is often an important first step toward understanding your experiences and accessing the support you deserve.

ACES Frequently Asked Questions

What Do The Results Of The Childhood Trauma Quiz Mean?

Your score quantifies childhood experiences—not personal failure. They show patterns of stress your body may still be carrying. A higher score highlights where extra healing support could make a big difference.

What Is A “Normal” Score for the Quiz?

There’s no “normal.”

Statistically:

~36% had 0 ACEs
~26% had 1
~16% had 2
~9.5% had 3
~12.5% had ≥4

Most adults carry at least one ACE—what matters now is what you do with your awareness.

Who Is This Childhood Trauma Quiz For?

Anyone curious about their mental, emotional, or physical health roots—and particularly:

Adults feeling stuck or anxious
Pregnant people preparing to interrupt patterns in parenthood
Survivors ready to step into therapeutic support
Providers looking to understand client profiles

How Is Childhood Trauma Linked to Health Outcomes?

Strong links include:

Mental health: depression, anxiety, PTSD, suicidality
Physical health: heart disease, COPD, cancer, strokes, diabetes, autoimmune disorders
Health behaviors: smoking, substance misuse, risky sexual behavior

One CDC review found that ACEs were associated with nearly 90% of teenage suicide attempts, 84% of opioid misuse, and over 65% of persistent sadness.

Our Mental Health Specialists

At The Meadowglade, our team of compassionate and experienced mental health professionals is dedicated to providing comprehensive mental health treatment in Los Angeles. Our multidisciplinary team works collaboratively to offer personalized care tailored to each individual’s needs.