V: ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES (ACEs)
V was raised in an economically stable household living in a safe neighborhood. V’s mother takes care of him and supports him. They regularly engage in positive activities together [112]. However, from a very young age, V has been exposed to his father’s psychological abuse through pervasive blaming, belittling, terrorizing, and intimidations [113]. In addition, V is a victim of his father’s alcohol use disorder and has been exposed to his father’s domestic abuse, including of his mother and siblings [114]. As a result, V develops toxic stress, and experiences fatigue, dissociation, and fear [115]. Despite his mother’s support, V has problems sleeping and upsetting dreams, angry outbursts and extreme emotional reactions. He has problems concentrating and loses interest in activities – symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder [116].
