When does stress become toxic?

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Stress becomes toxic when it is prolonged and untreated, causing damage to rapidly developing brain architecture. 2 There are different stresses, however traumatic events such as abuse, neglect, food insecurity or family dysfunction, may also produce a prolonged stress response resulting in toxic stress. These stresses and risk factors are especially common in low-income communities and families living in poverty.

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What are the consequences of toxic stress?

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In response to stress, the brain produces the hormone cortisol. During prolonged exposure to stress, cortisol levels remain too high for too long, which inhibits brain development. Over time, this can change the architecture of a child’s, rapidly developing brain. Altered brain architecture can result in long-term problems in learning, behavior, and physical and mental health. 2 These consequences include things like increased risk for substance misuse, liver disease, poor academic achievement, and reduced executive function or ability to self-regulate behavior. 3

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How can toxic stress be identified?

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There are a number of ways to identify toxic stress, but one critical tool is the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) test.  Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are characterized as traumatic events that occur during childhood. These include events such as abuse, neglect, family separation, or living with a parent with mental illness or substance use disorder. Any of these experiences can have a profound effect on children and can lead to the development of toxic stress. 4 A child’s ACE Score is determined by how many ACEs he or she has experienced, and can be a predictor of physical, social and emotional problems later in life.

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While many people may think of exposure to ACEs as isolated and only affecting a small number of children, at least half of children in the United States have experienced one or more ACEs in their life. 5 Moreover, 62% of children living in poverty experience ACEs, which is a significantly higher rate than their affluent peers. And children living in poverty are more likely to experience multiple ACEs. 6 Research finds that the more ACEs a child experiences the more likely they are to have negative outcomes later in life. 7

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What is trauma, and how does it connect to ACEs and toxic stress?

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While trauma has many definitions, typically in psychology it refers to an experience of serious adversity or terror—or the emotional or psychological response to that experience. Trauma-informed care or services are characterized by an understanding that problematic behaviors may need to be treated as a result of the ACEs or other traumatic experiences someone has had, as opposed to addressing them as simply willful and/or punishable actions.

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How can we combat the negative effects of ACE's and toxic stress?

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Research shows that the best ways to buffer the effects of ACEs and toxic stress are to stop or reduce a child’s exposure to the stressful condition, begin providing stable conditions for the child, and ensure that the child has a responsive relationship with as many caring adults as early as possible. In addition to these interventions, children may benefit from professional therapeutic help after a traumatic event.

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Ensuring that any interventions and support given to children exposed to trauma is high-quality and evidence-based is critical to helping children cope with and buffer the effects of toxic stress.