Trauma-Informed Communities Throughout Allegany County
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  • Trauma Overview
    • Trauma-Informed Care Glossary of Terms
    • Adverse Childhood Experiences
    • Trauma Informed Care Champions
  • Trauma-Informed Resources
    • 10 Questions to Ask When Selecting a Therapist
    • Trauma-Focused Treatments
    • Local Trauma Treatment Providers
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    • Trauma-Informed Education Committee
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  • #onecaringadult
    • #onecaringadult- Academic Stress
    • #onecaringadult- Alcohol and Other Drugs
    • #onecaringadult- Bullying
    • #onecaringadult- LGBTQ+
    • #onecaringadult- Childhood Neglect
    • #onecaringadult- E-Cigarettes and Vaping
    • #onecaringadult- Eating Disorders
    • #onecaringadult- Mental Health
    • #onecaringadult- Online Sexual Exploitation
    • #onecaringadult- Non-Suicidal Self-Injury
    • #onecaringadult- Sexual Abuse
    • #onecaringadult- Sexually Transmitted Infections
    • #onecaringadult- Suicide Prevention
    • #onecaringadult- Teen Dating Violence
    • #onecaringadult- Teen Pregnancy
    • #onecaringadult- Toxic Stress
    • #onecaringadult- Vaping & E-Cigarettes

Toxic Stress

Exposure to stressful and adverse experiences over a long period of time can become toxic. This repeated exposure to stress without the benefit of buffering protection of a supportive, adult relationship has been termed toxic stress. Several adverse life events that may contribute to toxic stress response include neglect and abuse, divorce/separation, death of a loved one, exposure to domestic violence, incarceration of a parent or a family member, neighborhood violence, extreme poverty, parent or family member abusing drugs/alcohol, parent or caregiver having a mental illness, neglect. Exposure to toxic stress can have detrimental short and long-term physical and mental health consequences on both children and adults. By being a child's #onecaringadult, you have the ability to protect the child from ongoing toxic stress and help that child heal. 
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TOXIC STRESS
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Recognizing Toxic Stress
The signs of traumatic stress are different in each child. Young children react differently than older children. For some children, these reactions can interfere with daily life and their ability to function and interact with others.
Preschool children
  • Fearing separation from parents or caregivers
  • Crying and/or screaming a lot
  • Eating poorly and losing weight
  • Having nightmares
Elemntary-Age children
  • Becoming anxious or fearful
  • Feeling guilt or shame
  • Having a hard time concentrating
  • Having difficulty sleeping
Middle and High School Children
  • Feeling depressed or alone
  • Developing eating disorders and self-harming behaviors
  • Beginning to abuse alcohol or drugs
  • Becoming sexually active
How Can You Help?
Click on the Infographic to download the PDF and Print
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Learn More About Toxic Stress
HELPFUL LINKS
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network | (nctsn.org)
What You Should Know About Toxic Stress | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) (cdc.gov)
What Is Toxic Stress? (acesaware.org)
Toxic Stress (harvard.edu)
What Are ACEs? And How Do They Relate to Toxic Stress? (harvard.edu)
Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences (cdc.gov)
Strategies for Effectively Communication about Toxic Stress
ACEs Too High
Trauma Informed Parent - About
What is Trauma-Informed Care? - University at Buffalo School of Social Work - University at Buffalo
TRAUMA INFORMED CARE | ACCORD Corporation

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Telephone

585-593-5223

Email

evansh@ardentnetwork.org
  • Home
  • Trauma Overview
    • Trauma-Informed Care Glossary of Terms
    • Adverse Childhood Experiences
    • Trauma Informed Care Champions
  • Trauma-Informed Resources
    • 10 Questions to Ask When Selecting a Therapist
    • Trauma-Focused Treatments
    • Local Trauma Treatment Providers
  • Trauma-Informed Education
    • Trauma-Informed Education Committee
    • Education and Training
  • #onecaringadult
    • #onecaringadult- Academic Stress
    • #onecaringadult- Alcohol and Other Drugs
    • #onecaringadult- Bullying
    • #onecaringadult- LGBTQ+
    • #onecaringadult- Childhood Neglect
    • #onecaringadult- E-Cigarettes and Vaping
    • #onecaringadult- Eating Disorders
    • #onecaringadult- Mental Health
    • #onecaringadult- Online Sexual Exploitation
    • #onecaringadult- Non-Suicidal Self-Injury
    • #onecaringadult- Sexual Abuse
    • #onecaringadult- Sexually Transmitted Infections
    • #onecaringadult- Suicide Prevention
    • #onecaringadult- Teen Dating Violence
    • #onecaringadult- Teen Pregnancy
    • #onecaringadult- Toxic Stress
    • #onecaringadult- Vaping & E-Cigarettes