De-pathologizing the Symptoms of Adverse Childhood Experiences

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cityu.schoolSchool of Health and Social Sciences
cityu.siteVancouver, BC
cityu.site.countryCanada
dc.contributor.authorJulihn, Derian
dc.date.accessioned2021-12-07T00:02:13Z
dc.date.available2021-12-07T00:02:13Z
dc.date.issued2021-08-24
dc.description.abstractAdverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) directly affect more than half the world, with the most vulnerable populations experiencing ACEs at even higher rates. ACE research reveals a strong, graded relationship between childhood stress and trauma and an increased risk of poor mental health, adult diseases, and risky or harmful behaviours. The purpose of this paper is to consider how our body's neuro-biological survival systems can have unintended consequences when chronically activated or mistuned in our early years of development to help us move from symptom management to treating root causes. The mislocation of client's problem through labelling their ACE symptoms a disease (a problem with their body), a disorder (a problem with their mind/personality), or bad behaviour (a problem with their morality) can lead to ineffective treatment strategies and further reinforcement of their pathologization and stigmatization particularly for those most vulnerable to ACEs. Using examples from Somatic Experiencing, Internal Family Systems, and Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, this paper proposes five assumptions for de-pathologizing ACE symptoms: 1.) ACE impacts are not the problem; they are a symptom of the problem, 2.) Focus treatment on the underlying problem (isolation, alienation, shame, rejection, fear, abuse, neglect, and nervous system dysregulation), not the symptoms, 3.) ACE symptoms result from what went right to help survive, and the motivating goal is still to protect, 4.) Integrative compassion for ourselves and others comes through a deep understanding of the symptoms' motivation (5.) The solution lies within our body and mind's innate wisdom and ability to heal.
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11803/1583
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisher.institutionCity University of Seattle (CityU)
dc.rightsAttribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States
dc.rightsopenAccess
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/
dc.subjectneglect
dc.subjectlack of care
dc.subjectneurobiology
dc.subjectneuroplasticity
dc.subjectphysical abuse
dc.subjectpolyvagal theory
dc.subjectpoverty
dc.subjectresiliency
dc.subjectsexual abuse
dc.subjectsomatic
dc.subjecttrauma
dc.subjectviolence against mother or step-mother
dc.subjectdomestic violence
dc.subjectsocioeconomic status
dc.subjectsubstance abuse
dc.subjectchild development
dc.subjectmental health
dc.subjectstress
dc.subjectadiposity
dc.subjectadverse childhood experiences
dc.subjectbullying
dc.subjectpeer victimization
dc.subjectchild abuse
dc.subjectmaltreatment
dc.subjectcommunity violence
dc.subjectdepathologize
dc.subjectdeprivation
dc.subjectearly attachments
dc.subjectpsychological abuse
dc.subjectemotional abuse
dc.subjectisolation
dc.subjectpeer rejection
dc.subjectmaladaptive functioning
dc.subjectintimate partner violence
dc.titleDe-pathologizing the Symptoms of Adverse Childhood Experiences
dc.typeCapstone
thesis.degree.disciplineCounselling
thesis.degree.grantorCity University of Seattle
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Counselling
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