Dan Fleshler's autoimmune type 1 diabetes was triggered by an adverse event when he was 7 years old, which is something I’ve been seeing for all kinds of different autoimmune and other chronic diseases as I have been integrating the research literature for more than 20 years. Events can trigger onset very suddenly at any age, including for chronic diseases in adults. Such triggering events are so common that I refer to them as Adverse Pre Onset Experiences (APOEs).
Dan’s story puts ACEs into context, supported by ACEs science and other research validating his understanding that trauma was the risk factor.
Dan’s story also highlights additional science explaining how other symptoms we commonly think of as separate are all related to a common underlying risk factors.
Depression, for example, is more common before onset of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and is also more common in people with diabetes than in the general population. Depression is one of the most common effects of trauma.
When you look at other symptoms Dan has experienced from trauma perspectives, including self blame and flashbacks, it suggests that all of these can be early indicators and warning signs if they develop ahead of a chronic disease. They can also validate the diagnosis when they are present afterwards. Furthermore, none of these symptoms indicate that the problem is psychological – the ACEs science and other research explains how the effects of adversity alter epigenetics, nervous system, immune system and cellular function, and much more.
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