How Childhood Trauma Can Make You A Sick Adult | Big Think
How Childhood Trauma Can Make You A Sick Adult
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The Adverse Childhood Study found that survivors of childhood trauma are up to 5,000 percent more likely to attempt suicide, have eating disorders, or become IV drug users. Dr. Vincent Felitti, the study’s founder, details this remarkable and powerful connection.
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VINCENT FELITTI:
A renowned physician and researcher, Dr. Vincent J. Felitti is one of the world’s foremost experts on childhood trauma. Leading the charge in research into how adverse childhood experiences affect adults, he is co-principal investigator of the internationally recognized Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study, a long-term, in-depth, analysis of over 17,000 adults. Defying conventional belief, this study famously revealed a powerful relationship between our emotional experiences as children and our physical and mental health as adults. In fact, the ACE study shows that humans convert childhood traumatic emotional experiences into organic disease later in life. Revolutionary at its inception, Felitti’s groundbreaking research remains extremely relevant to today’s healthcare models.
Founder of the Department of Preventive Medicine for Kaiser Permanente, Felitti served as the chief of preventive medicine for over 25 years. Under Dr. Felitti’s leadership, his department provided comprehensive medical evaluations to 1.1 million individuals, becoming the largest single-site medical evaluation facility in the western world. During this time, Felitti’s revolutionary health risk abatement programs incorporated weight loss, smoking cessation, stress management, and a wide range of cutting-edge efforts to reduce patient risk factors. Dr. Felitti also has served on advisory committees at the Institute of Medicine and the American Psychiatric Association. A noted expert on the genetic disease hemochromatosis, as well as obesity, he educates audiences around the country on these two very common, deadly maladies.
An engaging speaker, Felitti has traveled the world speaking with audiences and various policy leaders about his research. A well-versed medical expert, Felitti also uses his knowledge to speak out against domestic violence and other forms of childhood trauma. Drawing on his years of experience, he has become an important voice advocating for the wellbeing of children everywhere. While time may not heal all wounds, Felitti helps show audiences how we can understand these physical and mental traumas, and ultimately, prevent them.
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TRANSCRIPT:
Vincent Felitti: What we found in the ACE study involving seventeen-and-a-half thousand middle-class adults was that life experiences in childhood that are lost in time and then further protected by shame and by secrecy and by social taboos against inquiry into certain realms of human experience — that those life experiences play out powerfully and proportionately a half century later, in terms of emotional state, in terms of biomedical disease, in terms of life expectancy. In 1985, I first became interested in developmental life experiences in early childhood really by accident. In the major obesity program we were running, a young woman came into the program. She was 28 years old, and weighed 408 pounds, and asked us if we could help her with her problem. And in 51 weeks, we took her from 408 to 132. And we thought, well my god, we’ve got this problem licked. This is going to be a world-famous department here! She maintained her weight at 132 for several weeks, and then in one three-week period regained 37 pounds in three weeks, which I had not previously conceived as being physiologically possible. That was triggered by being sexually propositioned at work by a much older man, as she described him. And in short order, she was back over 400 pounds faster than she had lost the weight. I remember asking her why the extreme response. After initially claiming not to have any understanding of why the extreme response, ultimately she told me of a lengthy incest history with her grandfather, from age 10 to age 21. Ultimately it turned out that 55 percent of the people in our obesity program acknowledged a history of childhood sexual abuse. I mean, that obviously is not the only issue going on, but it was where we began. And as we went down that trail, then we discovered other forms of abuse, also growing up in massively dysfunctional households, et cetera. The ACE study was really designed to see whether these things existed at all in the general population, and if so, how did they…
Read the full transcript at https://bigthink.com/videos/vincent-felitti-on-childhood-trauma
@bigthink
October 29, 2025 at 6:33 am
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@fonya_thee3026
October 29, 2025 at 6:33 am
Cause we are still the same individual in that one body and mind.
@RTWRTW-RTWRTW
October 29, 2025 at 6:33 am
I wish for all victims to find the support they truly need in the name of Righteousness Truth Wisdom.
@shaaku_750
October 29, 2025 at 6:33 am
Can anyone tell What's it's treatment
@SheckelShawty
October 29, 2025 at 6:33 am
As fucked up as it is it’s really comforting to see other also express their hurt and grief, it feels so shameful to talk about it just bounces around my head then in the walls then in the house and all of a sudden I’m crying and pushing my partner away from me because I went back to that scared little girl writhing and crying. I know im not a sociopath thank god but being a little 6th grader with depression that never went away I never thought I’d have a whole personality disorder. Hug your real loved ones a little tighter because they will notice, never stop being full of love despite how much everything hurts ❤
@SheckelShawty
October 29, 2025 at 6:33 am
I’m sorry but you cannot just casually drop that the feeling i have been experiencing that I was wondering what it meant and is 20 years being yaken off my lifespan come on man worst day ever.
@peterorthmann5612
October 29, 2025 at 6:33 am
My ACEs test should be common. FAR, FAR superior.
@chubblez1984
October 29, 2025 at 6:33 am
This has to be by far one of the most poignant and heartbreaking videos I've seen on YouTube. It should be shown to every parent, every teacher, every politician, every psychiatrist and anyone else who has even the slightest duty of care towards children. Far too few of them realise the weight of responsibility they bear and the power they have to shape someone's life for better or worse. It can no longer be relativised by saying "oh but we didn't know back then." We know now.
@Todd-w6u
October 29, 2025 at 6:33 am
I didn’t see love between my parents like I should have . So, I and my sister (2 yrs older) both decided to not have kids ! As she put it, “Stop the Madness” ! I got married at 44y/o, she got married at 65 for the first time . When people ask, don’t you miss having kids? My Answer ………no. It’s sad actually . Life has lost a lot of its luster, and enjoyment! She married into a Big family, with lots of kids …….but their still not hers
@gargidas2134
October 29, 2025 at 6:33 am
Sustho sundor manush dekhlei, chire khete ichaa keno kore ??????
@earthsign7568
October 29, 2025 at 6:33 am
Really wish he wasn't wearing a suit and tie! Draconian!
@oldcrone
October 29, 2025 at 6:33 am
I wish my sister would go away.
@oldcrone
October 29, 2025 at 6:33 am
I really hate bullies.
@thomasthorpe7630
October 29, 2025 at 6:33 am
Evil language, blasphemy against God.
@beverlyanderson4915
October 29, 2025 at 6:33 am
Healthy relationships should be a high school subject as important as math and English!!!!
@createone100
October 29, 2025 at 6:33 am
These children become adults. They can go on to do things that are criminal. They may end up in prison if these issues aren’t addressed early. Are they entirely responsible for these criminal acts? I honestly do not know.
@HildeAzul
October 29, 2025 at 6:33 am
Bro! I checked off every fu(/!ng box
@leafrazer8440
October 29, 2025 at 6:33 am
Haven't dealt with my trauma, I was too busy taking care of everyone else. I have been looking for a trauma group therapy in person or zoom. Haven't had any luck. I am also looking for a trauma retreat.
@tracicarter9350
October 29, 2025 at 6:33 am
And Uncle married into the family did horrible things to me and I never had children in life because I knew I would never trust anybody around a child
@JulesPeterson-vf4bp
October 29, 2025 at 6:33 am
Thankyou for your knowledge ❤️ I have just began EDMR therapy and scored 8/10 with my therapist before commencing. Your explanation was very helpful and thorough. Break the cycle and make a better future for the next generation in your family if you have been become one of the unfortunate statistics, stay strong and one love.
@anaussieinvietnam
October 29, 2025 at 6:33 am
Oh my…… I am totally speechless…. Yes… I am the 1 in 11… I am in my 50's and I recently had a total nervous breakdown… And guess what… The psychologist said – PTSD… ANd I said what?? But I never went to war or anything… I am sure after watching this you can fill in the rest of the story.
@stanleyhornbeck1625
October 29, 2025 at 6:33 am
I was abused by male "counselors" in an Asthmatic residential facility for Asthmatic kids I was 8 -9 at the time and had no idea how much it affected me until 42 years later!!
@stanleyhornbeck1625
October 29, 2025 at 6:33 am
HEALING can only happen when the depth of the problem is completely understood!
@tessacarstairs5998
October 29, 2025 at 6:33 am
I have an ACE score of 6. Folks, our childhood doesn't define us. Intervene sooner so it doesn't take 20 years off our lives. I have been on meds since I was 21 and have been in therapy since 24. I am getting better. We can get better.
@spiritualbutterfly8709
October 29, 2025 at 6:33 am
I'm a survivor of childhood trauma. It has so many effects on me my heart is closed off. I'm afraid to let people get close to me. My mother has a severe mental illness so she abused us as kids. Once I was older I started paying attention to her family structure she didn't come from the best family childhood trauma is a generational curse in my family. So that helped me to forgive my mother cause she was abused also by her mentally ill mother. Now I'm currently working on loving myself and releasing all that pain that's holding me back. I'm breaking my generational curses with my children who I love and adore so much. GOD heals all wounds. You just have to do the work and be patient with yourself. Sending every one loving and healing energy ❤️❤️❤️💖
@Kollective.kenny369
October 29, 2025 at 6:33 am
I've been fighting this pain for so long. I'm 33 yrs old & still struggling. Any advice would greatly help. Thank you.
@olives2426
October 29, 2025 at 6:33 am
A very senior man at a country club that I work for made a comment to me the other day that totally sent me spiraling down into a very dark place. I have since left such job. I can’t see myself going back there and scheduling therapy and appointments.😢
@alexgerling3686
October 29, 2025 at 6:33 am
Gotta say im one of those 6 i started laughing, and crying. Yourube isnt theraoy through its research!
@thatsme9553
October 29, 2025 at 6:33 am
Is it better if the parents get divorced instead of instant arguing all the time?
@thatsme9553
October 29, 2025 at 6:33 am
Growing up in a house without both are biological parents? Really?
@windermere2330
October 29, 2025 at 6:33 am
My sister and I are the product of two bipolar parents. Our father sexually abused us as well. Needless to say my childhood was traumatic and extremely stressful. My sister was diagnosed bipolar at age 18. She managed it as best she could until about age 50. Then it got really bad. So bad that I had to cut her out of my life for good. It gutted me to do it. But I had to save myself.
What Dr. Felitti said is true. People with high adverse childhood experiences (ACE) commit suicide at a much higher rate and die 20 years early. Our brains change when we experience trauma at a young age. And not in a good way. My sister tried to kill herself three times in her lifetime that I know about. She died 2 years ago at age 55. She was in terrible health. She was morbidly obese, diabetic, emphysema from cigarettes, etc. Her body just gave out. When I found out she died I felt relief. Finally she will be at peace. I think of her every day and pray for her! ❤ and miss you sis!
@snookoed
October 29, 2025 at 6:33 am
Having children is a huge responsibility. Think twice, then think again. Are you certain you know what you're doing, and the commitment?
@twojkoszmar4231
October 29, 2025 at 6:33 am
My adoptive father neglect my emotions chronicaly, my crying driving him crazy. He also after alcohol shout to me when I was 11 yo or 12 yo "Women! You destroy me and my wife!". In 21 yo I was diagnosed on borderline personality disorder.
@gundam_Chaos
October 29, 2025 at 6:33 am
Childhood trauma just makes you not proper human. You disconnect from so many people.
To make a changes, you just need depends on no one but yourself. You will be alone to changes your mindset. If you depends on external factors, the changes will be not permanent. You need some absolute figure or divine figure in your mind to dictate yourself, a wall to blocking all of those trauma. Guiding you away from misery and circle of inner evil. Traditional religion become a nice solution, Keep your faith high, never looking back.
@TammyFinkey
October 29, 2025 at 6:33 am
I was bullied extremely bad most of my years in school. My life had some amazing moments, and Im thankful for them. Truthfully, my childhood was scary, lonely, and made me wish I could disappear into the cracks in the floors. I became a child who is still hiding behind the couch. My 5 year old self is still hiding, never really felt safe! I wonder why I struggle with health issues?? There is much work to be done..or undone! Its time to let my little self out.. set her free. My future depends on it!!
@gorillaboog
October 29, 2025 at 6:33 am
A lower life expectancy? 😐 my biggest fear is dying when I finally get over all these problems, that makes it even more discouraging
@bhai4179
October 29, 2025 at 6:33 am
Iam abused in teenage and at young i developed false memory from that truama😢
@AndrewDaniele87
October 29, 2025 at 6:33 am
I see a lot of comments along the lines of "dont have kids if you were abused" or "hurt people hurt people", but that is so hurtful to good people who just happened to be their parents' punching bag. I'm always the one entertaining the kids at family gatherings, the one who will do anything for the people in my life, the one who's always aiming to make the people around him smile, etc. I would hate to be judged for the scars my parents left on me.
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