How toxic stress affects kids’ health
When kids go through something difficult, even if they forget it, their body might still hold on and remember it. This can weaken their developing brain, lead to emotional, behavioral, and learning problems, and even alter their DNA long-term.
The near-term impacts of toxic stress
Toxic stress can keep your child from growing strong and healthy. Kids who experience toxic stress are more likely to face:
Weakened immunity
Trouble fighting off infections, suffering from more frequent colds and infections, or conditions like eczema, allergies, or asthma
Poor physical health
Higher likelihood of chronic disease, poor oral health, sleep disturbances, frequent infections, headaches, or stomach aches
Slow growth and development
Obesity or loss of weight, or changes in the timing of puberty
Behavior and learning challenges
Extreme moods and feelings, difficulty sitting still, paying attention, managing behavior, and learning, and more
The long-term impact of toxic stress
Without healing, toxic stress can follow your child as they get older and into adulthood, increasing their risk of:
Physical illness
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Cancer
- Physical disability
- Chronic pain
- Asthma
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Shortened lifespan
- And more
Behavioral health challenges
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
- Teen pregnancy
- Substance use
- Violent behavior
- Memory problems
- Suicide and self-harm
- Lower academic achievement
- Unemployment and poverty