What is toxic stress?
When kids go through difficult or traumatic experiences, like losing a parent, getting bullied, or being exposed to violence, it can be very stressful on their minds and bodies. If this stress doesn’t get addressed, it can build up and become toxic, which can lead to lasting challenges and serious health issues.
How does stress turn toxic?
Not all stress is bad. Our stress response is actually designed to protect us. When we feel danger or discomfort, our brain sets off an alarm to prepare us to handle challenging or scary situations.
When our stress response is active for a long time or set off over and over again without enough support to help us process: That’s toxic stress.
How does toxic stress harm your child?
Toxic stress can affect anyone, but it’s especially harmful to young children. And without the right support, toxic stress can have many effects throughout their life.
Near-Term Impacts
- Lowered immunity
- Learning challenges
- Behavioral problems
- More emotional outbursts
- Trouble sleeping
- Anxiety
- Depression
Long-Term Impacts
- Lower academic achievement
- Serious health conditions
- Chronic mental illnesses
- Substance use
- Violent behavior
- Unemployment and poverty
- Shortened lifespan
What causes toxic stress?
Going through difficult situations, some of which are called adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), can lead to toxic stress without the right support from parents and caregivers. Some difficult situations that can cause toxic stress include:
Challenges at home
Loved one or caregiver separation or loss
Discrimination or racism
Your child not being treated fairly because of racism or other reasons
Violence
Witnessing violence or hearing harsh language, being a refugee, or experiencing war
Large environmental influences
Global pandemic, a natural disaster
Experiencing abuse
Experiencing and/or witnessing verbal, physical, or sexual abuse
Neglect
Not having physical or emotional needs met