Paul Tian
The CDC’s website shares recent research and guidelines about adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), showing how ACEs are connected to negative outcomes later in life. Violence, abuse, neglect, or seeing violence can be considered both ACEs and complex trauma. ACEs may cause hidden harm over a lifetime, while trauma often appears as specific symptoms in daily life.
Some Asian adults struggle to connect their current mental health challenges to their childhood because they did not view those experiences as trauma or link their feelings to the past. For example, a man might try hard to overcome trust issues with his partner but still feel unsure about his insecurity in relationships. After a few weeks, he might mention that his parents argued every day and remember feeling relieved when he went to boarding school. At first, he may say he did not have any traumatic experiences, recalling that his parents treated him well. Later, he might share that his mother beat him every week in middle school for poor grades. Even then, he may say it was normal, claiming all parents do this, though he can only name a few others with similar stories. He also does not remember feeling threatened because he was physically strong at the time. Still, he feels mentally exhausted and as if he is worn down every day. No matter how hard he tries, he feels it is never enough. He blames himself for being lazy, yet he is confused by his own constant drive to keep trying. ACEs and complex trauma can be difficult to recognize in our own lives.
Trauma can be intergenerational, and many Asian American adults are aware of this. This understanding can be both helpful and confusing. In Asian culture, family unity and responsibility are important values. When adults notice trauma in themselves or their families, they often want to talk to their parents to help or inform them. However, many parents do not want to discuss these topics and may hide their trauma or react strongly. These conversations can lead to more arguments, disappointment, guilt, or loneliness. For example, a woman felt frustrated and enraged when her mother was suspicious of all her friends. Her mother would not talk about the political trauma she went through in her home country, which left the woman confused. Noticing the hidden and complex effects of ACEs and trauma, whether in yourself or your family, can be the first step toward healing.
References
(2024). About Adverse Childhood Experiences. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/aces/index.html
中文版
美国疾病控制与预防中心（CDC）的网站分享了关于“不良童年经历”（Adverse Childhood Experiences, 简称ACEs）的最新研究和指南，表明ACEs与成年后负面后果之间存在联系。暴力、虐待、忽视或目睹暴力，既可被视为ACEs，也可被视为复合型创伤。ACEs可能在一生中造成隐秘的伤害，而创伤则通常在日常生活中表现为特定的症状。
一些亚裔成年人很难将自己当前的心理健康问题与童年联系起来。他们不认为那些经历是创伤，或无法将自己的感受与过去挂钩。
例如，一位男士努力克服与伴侣之间的信任问题，但对自己关系中的不安全感仍然感到困惑。几周后，他可能会提到小时候父母每天争吵，并记得当他去寄宿学校时感到如释重负。起初，他可能会说自己没有经历过任何创伤，因为他记得父母待他很好。后来，他可能会分享说，在他上中学时，母亲每周都因为成绩差而打他。即便如此，他可能仍会说这是正常的，声称所有父母都这样做，尽管他只能说出少数几个有类似经历的人。当时身体强壮，不记得有过受威胁的感觉，所以也无法用心理创伤来解释这段生活的经历。然而，成年之后，他每天都感到精神疲惫，精疲力竭。无论他多么努力，他都觉得永远不够好。他责怪自己懒惰，但又对自己停不下来的驱动力感到困惑。
ACEs和复合型创伤很难在我们自己的生活中被识别出来。
创伤可以代代相传，许多亚裔美国成年人都意识到了这一点。这种理解既有帮助，也带来了困惑。在亚洲文化中，家庭团结和责任感是重要的价值观。当成年人发现自己或家人有创伤时，他们通常想和父母沟通，以提供帮助或告知他们。然而，许多父母不愿讨论这些话题，可能会隐藏他们的创伤或做出强烈反应。这些对话可能导致更多的争吵、失望、内疚或孤独。例如，一位女士的母亲多疑。每次在母亲用怀疑的口吻问她朋友的事情是，这位女士都会感到烦躁和愤怒。她的母亲不愿谈论她在祖国经历的政治创伤，而母亲的沉默这让这位女士对自己的反应在很多年的时间里感到困惑和痛苦。
无论是对自己还是家人，识别ACEs和创伤的复杂影响及其隐蔽性，都可能是走向疗愈的第一步。
References
(2024). About Adverse Childhood Experiences. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/aces/index.html