People who experience early childhood toxic stress, trauma, threat, danger, or abuse are at risk of experiencing long-lasting traumatic disorders also known as PTSD.
Toxic stress can be caused by child maltreatment or abuse. It can change an individual’s emotions and feelings, which can cause the person’s stress system to be triggered frequently.
Childhood maltreatment can be linked to long-lasting psychological, physical and behavioural consequences in adults. These consequences may influence adults’ lives and lead to substance abuse, such as illicit drugs and alcohol.
A child’s reactions to abuse or neglect can have lifelong and even generational impacts. Childhood maltreatment or sexual abuse is a risk factor for depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric disorders throughout adulthood.
These factors can trigger toxic stress throughout adulthood.
Flashbacks of maltreatment or sexual abuse.
Traumatic nightmares of past experiences.
Distressing images or physical sensations (pain, sweating, feeling sick or trembling).
People react to childhood toxic stress, trauma, threat or danger differently. Some individuals believe childhood maltreatment or abuse are factors of their actions even as adults; they tend to blame themselves for their childhood toxic stress, but nobody deserves such treatment or abuse, so it was never their fault.
However, there are ways adults can subside the effect of childhood toxic stress, and there is evidence that social and emotional support will help improve physical and mental health problems caused by toxic stress.
Adults who have experienced toxic stress need treatment, and therapy can help relieve toxic stress.
Try not to distract yourself with your hobbies, instead seek psychological help so you can express your emotions when necessary.
Avoid certain people, events, and places that remind you of childhood trauma or toxic stress.
