The 10 questions ahead ask whether specific things happened to you in your first 18 years — including abuse (verbal, physical, sexual), neglect, household substance use, mental illness, incarceration, and divorce.
During your first 18 years of life…
A high ACE score means a lot was put on you when you were young. It does not mean you are broken or doomed. Felitti's own follow-up research and decades of trauma science show that resilience and recovery are real, well-documented, and possible at any score — especially with at least one stable supportive adult, evidence-based therapy (CBT for trauma, EMDR, IFS), and connection in adulthood. The score below is information for compassionate planning, not a verdict.
If you feel distressed: call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), text HOME to 741741, or call 911 if in immediate danger.