Can Childhood Trauma Make You Sick?
For some, the topic of childhood trauma is still taboo. If we told you experiences growing up could impact your long-term health, would you believe us?
Understanding the Long-Term Impact of Childhood Trauma
For those of us working in human services, the idea that trauma can affect your mental and physical health is nothing new. But for those outside the field, it may sound unfamiliar—or even far-fetched.
The ACE Study: Groundbreaking Research That Changed Everything
In the mid to late ’90s, the link between childhood trauma and adult health came into the spotlight. In collaboration with the CDC, Kaiser Permanente conducted a study with over 17,000 participants that shook the medical and mental health communities.
The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study revealed a clear, powerful connection between early trauma and lifelong health outcomes—ranging from obesity and cancer to addiction and early death.
What Are ACEs?
The study identified six main categories of adverse experiences:
- Experiencing violence, abuse, or neglect
- Witnessing violence in the home or community
- Having a family member attempt or die by suicide
- Substance misuse in the household
- Mental health challenges in the household
- Family instability due to separation, divorce, or incarceration
Each experience counts as one point toward an ACE score. The more points someone has, the higher their risk for serious health issues later in life.
More than 60% of people report at least one ACE.
Curious about your ACE score? Take the quiz.
Can Trauma Really Make You Physically Sick?
Yes—research shows that the body remembers. Chronic stress in childhood can alter brain development, hormone levels, immune response, and more. Over time, these changes increase the risk for a wide range of physical and mental health conditions.
But Trauma Doesn’t Define You
Here’s what’s important: trauma may increase risk, but it doesn’t guarantee poor outcomes. Protective factors can dramatically change the trajectory of a child’s life.
These include:
- A child’s individual strengths and unique personality traits
- Supportive family and community networks
- Safe environments
- And most of all—at least one caring adult
How You Can Be a Protective Factor
Our time with children is critical. Your steady presence matters whether you’re a parent, grandparent, teacher, or mentor. Watching a movie, making dinner together, or simply showing up can be healing.
If you work in the helping field, your impact is real. You’re building stronger families and creating a safety net for vulnerable youth—shielding them from the weight of trauma.
Want to Help? You’re Needed More Than Ever
If you’ve been thinking about getting involved, this is your sign. We’re always looking for caring adults to become mentors, foster parents, mental health workers, and more.
Visit our foster care or career pages to learn how you can make a difference.
Need Help for a Child in Your Life?
Trauma doesn’t always show up in obvious ways—it can hide in behavior, anxiety, sleep problems, or even physical illness. But there is help.
Each year, we deliver mental health care to thousands of children and families through our locations across Montana. If a child in your life needs support, contact us online today.
Want More?
Check out the rest of our blog and follow us on social media. You can find us on LinkedIn at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, Instagram at @ybgr_cares, and Facebook at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch.