Toxic Stress Damages the Architecture

Toxic Stress Damages the Architecture

Toxic stress is the strong, unrelieved activation of the body’s stress management system in the absence of the buffering protection of adult support. It is the opposite of the development of self-regulation. The response system becomes over sensitive to cortisol (stress hormone), causing a defensive alarm reaction (flight or fight) that is triggered even for minor disturbances.

There are many different responses to toxic stress. For some babies they will become depressed, numb or shut down. Some may become hypervigiliant which is observed through behaviors such as not sleeping, poor eating or being “fussy”. Another response is to be very reactive by acting out hitting, biting resisting adult touch or care. All of these responses are also likely in influenced by the overall temperament of the baby.

Toxic stress and prolonged or chronic toxic stress produces difficulties in learning and memory, disruption of the immune system and metabolic regulatory functions. The constant presence of cortisol can also such down neuronal growth and create lifelong response patterns that are detrimental to emotional and physical health.

The picture below is a brain scan showing the remarkable difference in the size and number of neuronal connections between normal brain development and that of a child who suffered extreme neglect.

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