• Toxic Stress

  Toxic stress response can occur when a child experiences strong, frequent, and/or prolonged adversity -- such as physical or emotional abuse, chronic neglect, caregiver substance abuse or mental illness, exposure to violence, and/or the accumulated burdens of family economic hardship -- without adequate adult support. This kind of prolonged activation of the stress response systems can disrupt the development of brain architecture and other organ systems, and increase the risk for stress-related disease and cognitive impairment, well into the adult years. The more adverse experiences in childhood, the greater the likelihood of developmental delays and later health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, substance abuse, and depression. Research also indicates that supportive, responsive relationships with caring adults as early in life as possible can prevent or reverse the damaging effects of toxic stress response.

  The prolonged activation of the body's stress response systems can be damaging, but some stress is a normal part of life. Learning how to cope with stress is an important part of development. We do not need to worry about positive stress, which is short-lived, or tolerable stress, which is more serious but is buffered by supportive relationships. However, the constant activation of the body’s stress response systems due to chronic or traumatic experiences in the absence of caring, stable relationships with adults, especially during sensitive periods of early development, can be toxic to brain architecture and other developing organ systems.

• Traumatic Event
  • According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN), a traumatic event is a frightening, dangerous, or violent event that poses a threat to a child’s life or bodily integrity. Witnessing a traumatic event that threatens life or physical security of a loved one can also be traumatic. This is particularly important for young children as their sense of safety depends on their perceived safety of attachment figures. (https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/about-child-trauma (Links to an external site.))
• Traumatic events are also defined as the experiencing or witnessing of events in which there is actual or threatened "death, serious injury, or violence" (American Psychiatric Association, 2017, p. 271).
• Traumatic experiences can initiate strong emotions and physical reactions that can persist long after the event. Children may feel terror, helplessness, or fear, as well as physiological reactions such as heart pounding, vomiting, or loss of bowel or bladder control. Children who experience an inability to protect themselves or who lacked protection from others to avoid the consequences of the traumatic experience may also feel overwhelmed by the intensity of physical and emotional responses.

• According to SAMHSA (2014), trauma and traumatic stress can also be identified in terms of the “three E’s.”
  • Event-The threat of physical or psychological harm and/or neglect that impacts healthy development. This is also what we would refer to as trauma exposure.
  • Experience- How the individual interprets and is disrupted physically and psychologically by the trauma. This really helps in our conversations around how each child uniquely perceives danger or makes sense of the event or trauma exposure.
  • Effects-The impact of trauma that may be short or long-term in duration (e.g., heightened stress response, inability to concentrate). This is also what we would refer to as the impact of trauma.

• Trauma Exposure
• When a child feels intensely threatened by an event he or she is involved in or witnesses, we call that event a trauma. There is a range of traumatic events or trauma types to which children and adolescents can be exposed.
  • Examples of traumatic events that children might be exposed to outside of the family might include:
    • Car accident
    • Natural disaster (hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires)
    • School shooting
    • Community violence
    • Racial trauma, systemic discrimination, racism, oppression, and genocide
    • Immigration trauma
    • Sudden and prolonged separation/placement disruptions
    • Witnessing terrorist attacks
    • Witnessing war

• Examples of traumatic events that children might be exposed to from within a family might include:
  • Domestic violence
  • Physical abuse
  • Sexual abuse
  • Medical trauma
  • Neglect
  • The unexpected death of a loved one

Kids and Stress

Adults often talk about feeling “stressed out.” But let’s not forget that children can get stressed out too. Obviously, media depictions of graphic violence and war, a loss of a parent, or a divorce, are major stress factors. But youngsters may also worry about making friends, succeeding in school, they are hungry, or they are tired or worried about things at home. Different children handle stress in different ways. But if stress is too intense or long-lasting, it can make a child ill. Sudden stressful events will speed up a child's breathing and heartbeat, increase blood pressure, tense muscles, and perhaps cause stomach upset and headaches. As stress persists, a child might have insomnia or nightmares as well as changes in behavior. If you suspect a child is showing signs of stress, talk with the child's family and your administrator. And remember, children always handle stress better when they have the love and support of caring, nurturing adults.