Stress is a normal part of life that no one can fully escape. However, when stress becomes toxic, it can affect our lives in drastic fashions that may change our life’s outcome.
Adverse childhood experiences tie into toxic stress and both can cause considerable harm to both children and again when these kids grow to become adults.
This article will explore the connection between toxic stress, ACEs, and how understanding them through the polyvagal theory can help us to find ways to defeat them.
What is Toxic Stress?
Childhood should be a time of playtime, learning, and laughter but too often it is filled with fear and helplessness. When children experience frequent and prolonged stress, such as occurs with being physically, mentally, or sexually abused, they will exhibit what is known as the toxic stress response. This is especially true if there is no adult support or intervention.
The toxic stress response happens because of the stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system and a cascade of neurological, endocrine, and immune responses that produce physiological effects.
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