The future of every society depends on the healthy development of the next generation. This process can be thrown off kilter by excessive or prolonged activation of the stress response. Toxic stress can have a negative impact on learning, behaviour and health throughout life.
Our bodies are prepared to respond to threat or challenge by increasing heart rate, blood pressure and stress hormones. When a child experiences stress in an environment of supportive adults their stress response is quickly brought down again. This leads to the development of a healthy stress response. However, if this support is not there and the stress is long-lasting it can have a damaging impact on the development these systems and the brain leading to negative long-term health outcomes.
Positive stress is essential for learning and development and occurs when there is a slight increase in heart rate and mild elevation in hormone levels. Tolerable stress occurs when there is a stringer response like that which occurs with a loss or a natural disaster, or an injury. If the stress is time-limited and the child is buffered by supportive, nurturing relationships it prevents what otherwise might cause damage to the child’s biology.
Toxic stress occurs when the stress is strong, frequent and prolonged. This occurs in situations of abuse and neglect, or when the child is in a chaotic or violent environment or has unresponsive caregivers. This increases the risk for stress-related disease and cognitive impairment. This can have a negative impact on a person’s physical and mental health for a lifetime. Supportive relationships are the greatest protection against these ill-effects.