I used to think that being in therapy meant I had “graduated” from needing online tools or self-assessments. However, social media has a way of putting your blind spots front and center.
My feed began filling with people discussing the results of their online trauma. Like how things they struggle with are actually consequences of specific upbringing styles?
Sounds familiar? So it was for me. So, I stepped out of my clinical bubble and took the test I saw the most: the Childhood Trauma Test from Breeze Wellbeing. In this article, I will share my experience with the test, what was good and bad about it, and whether it made anything about my life different.
About the Breeze trauma test
I first stumbled across the Breeze trauma test on TikTok, where several creators were sharing their results as part of a broader conversation on breaking generational cycles. Usually, I’m skeptical of “viral” psychology, but here my skepticism was satisfied.
Here’s what convinced me to take this exact trauma test:
- Nearly 14 million people downloaded the Breeze app.
- The Breeze trauma test was built on the ACEs framework, one of the best and most trusted frameworks for childhood trauma.
- Mental health professionals were engaged in developing this test, so it’s not a part of pop psychology.
Statistics show that nearly 61% of adults have experienced at least one type of adverse childhood experience. I also do (as we figured out in therapy), but I wanted one more confirmation, a validation that it indeed happened and I wasn’t just “dramatic.”
My honest opinion about the test and the results
Disclaimer: I won’t share my exact results here because they turned out to be surprisingly accurate. So, I will just generally discuss the process of taking the test and reflecting on the results.
I was taking the test in a taxi while going to work. And it was super convenient and easy, I must admit. But if I were to redo it again, I’d choose a calmer place and time, where I could focus better for reflection.
When the results finally loaded, I was braced for the usual clickbait results of internet therapy. But I was surprised by the depth of the data visualization. The interface provided me with a detailed breakdown of which negative experiences in my childhood had the most significant impact on my current psychological state.
What truly stood out to me was this:
- Avoidance of the victim narrative.
The test didn’t try to make a “poor thing” out of me. It acknowledged that I might have been mistreated or lacked certain supports as a child. Still, it returned agency to me, reinforcing the idea that while the past happened, I am an adult now with my life in my own hands.
- Actionable, non-generic recommendations.
Based on my specific markers, the app offered a guide with targeted strategies. Since I’m already in therapy, I didn’t necessarily need the full guide. I was still impressed to see that even the free exercises included recommendations my therapist had already made, alongside some new CBT-based techniques I hadn’t tried yet (but I will!).
- Evidence-based approach.
This is so far the most decisive factor for me. I’m rather a skeptical individual, who likes to be as close to the sources as possible. And as someone familiar with the ACEs framework, it felt like an interpretation, not exploitation, of the framework. Knowing the tool was built on established psychological frameworks helped me trust the “why” behind the questions.
Of course, some things about the Breeze trauma test need to be improved:
- Some of the questions felt unrelated to my specific past.
I suspect these questions were designed to probe the subconscious, but at the moment, they felt a bit like a “reach.”
- The language used throughout the app occasionally felt forced in its empathy.
While I appreciate a sensitive approach, some of the formulations were just a bit too “sweet” for my personal taste. I felt validated enough by the data itself; I didn’t need the extra layer of digital pity.
That said, this is a minor grievance in the grand scheme of things, and for someone who hasn’t yet started their healing journey, that “soft” tone might be exactly what they need to feel safe enough to continue.
Did it change anything?
I can’t say that I had an “eureka” moment, and I definitely can’t say that Breeze’s trauma test solved my problems overnight. I already knew this, but I still felt relief and validation that even third-party sources, my therapist, and I agreed that I wasn’t dramatic.
After reviewing my results, I spent a few hours reflecting in my journal later that day. My therapist approved it, saying, “It starts a perspective shift within you. In this way, you’ll start your past through the lens of objective ‘you’ instead of your inner critic.”
I’m not sure any single trauma test can immediately flip your mindset or perspective on life. What I’m sure about is that if you work on yourself or need a bit extra of empathy, taking the test is exactly for you.
What I will do next
While I’m continuing my professional sessions, I’ve decided to integrate Breeze Wellbeing’s specific recommendations into my daily routine. I have started:
- Mood Tracking.
- Gratitude Journaling (Added it to my daily reflective journaling to be more aware of the positive things that happen around me).
- CBT Exercises.
- Meditation (I’m giving it another chance after a few failures. The test has given me tips and sources for beginners in mindfulness).
The most significant takeaway for me is the sense of clarity. I don’t feel hopeless or helpless in the face of my story. Now, I have a set of direct instructions for a better life and a clearer understanding of my own biology. Whether you are already in therapy or just starting to wonder why you react the way you do, having a map is always better than wandering in the dark.
Disclaimer: The Breeze Childhood Trauma Test or any trauma test cannot replace clinical therapy or an official diagnosis. If you experience persistent hardships and challenges in work, your mind, and your relationships, please refer to a qualified mental health specialist.