Toxic Stress- Chronic
A physiological change in the body occurs in the response to stress from challenges, problems or threats. These occasional and brief stress responses are a normal part of healthy development. Prolonged, severe, or chronic stress can lead to significant problems with health, well-being and development. Certain recurring exposures to violence, such as child abuse, domestic violence, neighborhood violence, high rates of violent crime, war, terrorism, or natural disasters are especially toxic. Even chronic stressors like food insecurity, lack of affordable housing, homelessness, basic needs not being met, substance abuse, poor access to medical care, lack of security and the absence of a support system can cause toxic stress The Center for the Developing Child (2017), defines toxic stress in childhood results from “strong, frequent, and/or prolonged adversity—such as physical or emotional abuse, chronic neglect, caregiver substance abuse or mental illness, exposure to violence, and/or the accumulated burdens of family economic hardship—without adequate adult support”. …show more content…
This level of prolonged stress can disrupt normal brain development, increase the risk of stress related diseases and cognitive impairment throughout the life span (Center for the Developing Child-Harvard University, 2017). Public health nurses can help identify the children in need and help the family access services to reduce this chronic stress. Unless continuous support is provided chronic stress lead to dissolution of the family unit, increase in homelessness rate, increase in substance abuse, mental health crisis and difficulty focusing and concentrating ‘in school. Toxic stress is present in many of the clients served by public health nurses, these include those in the child welfare system, children and youth in foster care, survivors of domestic violence, victims of human trafficking, refugees, those experiencing homelessness and people with disabilities. Nurses can help them by referring them to service agencies that assist with food insecurity and in locating affordable housing. Nurses can also refer these clients to mental health providers and substance abuse program to help address their behavioral and mental health needs. Homeless clients enter the shelter and do not have an emergency contact, so they need to be linked to healthy social supports. Many have severed ties with their families and they need new support systems to help them overcome their maladaptive behaviors. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder In 1980 PTSD was accepted as a diagnosis by the American Psychiatric Association as a diagnosis describing the severe and long term effects of exposure to traumatic stressors; types of exposure are combat, sexual assault, child abuse, motor vehicle accident or natural disaster (Sotero, 2006). PTSD symptoms can be temporary or become chronic and affects both children and adults. Survivors may experience flashbacks, bad dreams or frightening thoughts. It can also be accompanied by avoiding thoughts, places or objects that trigger the traumatic event. There are arousal and reactivity symptoms, including being easily startled, feeling tense or having angry outbursts. Cognition and mood is adversely affected through negative thoughts about self or others, guilt, blame, shame and loss of interest in activities (National Institute of Mental Health, 2016). Furthermore, PTSD sufferers may feel alienated or become detached from the community, friends or even family members. Individuals diagnosed with PTSD have an increased risk for behavioral health issues and social dysfunction (Sotero, 2006). Experiences of chronic trauma create deep emotional scars affecting life-long patterns of interpersonal relationships, the inability to master life skills and role performance. These individuals are so deeply traumatized that it effects their functioning, such as ability to maintain employment, retain stable housing, function within a family group and maintain social relationship. These individuals may live well below their abilities because of the social and psychological consequences linked to their condition. Domestic Violence and Homelessness There is a direct relationship between the traumatic events associated with domestic violence and the ability to maintain stable housing. When a victim chooses to flee from an abusive relationship, she does not always have alternative safe place to reside. The lack of affordable housing, limited resources and long waiting lists for assisted housing means that women are forced to remain with their abuser or become homeless.
A physiological change in the body occurs in the response to stress from challenges, problems or threats. These occasional and brief stress responses are a normal part of healthy development. Prolonged, severe, or chronic stress can lead to significant problems with health, well-being and development. Certain recurring exposures to violence, such as child abuse, domestic violence, neighborhood violence, high rates of violent crime, war, terrorism, or natural disasters are especially toxic. Even chronic stressors like food insecurity, lack of affordable housing, homelessness, basic needs not being met, substance abuse, poor access to medical care, lack of security and the absence of a support system can cause toxic stress The Center for the Developing Child (2017), defines toxic stress in childhood results from “strong, frequent, and/or prolonged adversity—such as physical or emotional abuse, chronic neglect, caregiver substance abuse or mental illness, exposure to violence, and/or the accumulated burdens of family economic hardship—without adequate adult support”. …show more content…
This level of prolonged stress can disrupt normal brain development, increase the risk of stress related diseases and cognitive impairment throughout the life span (Center for the Developing Child-Harvard University, 2017). Public health nurses can help identify the children in need and help the family access services to reduce this chronic stress. Unless continuous support is provided chronic stress lead to dissolution of the family unit, increase in homelessness rate, increase in substance abuse, mental health crisis and difficulty focusing and concentrating ‘in school. Toxic stress is present in many of the clients served by public health nurses, these include those in the child welfare system, children and youth in foster care, survivors of domestic violence, victims of human trafficking, refugees, those experiencing homelessness and people with disabilities. Nurses can help them by referring them to service agencies that assist with food insecurity and in locating affordable housing. Nurses can also refer these clients to mental health providers and substance abuse program to help address their behavioral and mental health needs. Homeless clients enter the shelter and do not have an emergency contact, so they need to be linked to healthy social supports. Many have severed ties with their families and they need new support systems to help them overcome their maladaptive behaviors. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder In 1980 PTSD was accepted as a diagnosis by the American Psychiatric Association as a diagnosis describing the severe and long term effects of exposure to traumatic stressors; types of exposure are combat, sexual assault, child abuse, motor vehicle accident or natural disaster (Sotero, 2006). PTSD symptoms can be temporary or become chronic and affects both children and adults. Survivors may experience flashbacks, bad dreams or frightening thoughts. It can also be accompanied by avoiding thoughts, places or objects that trigger the traumatic event. There are arousal and reactivity symptoms, including being easily startled, feeling tense or having angry outbursts. Cognition and mood is adversely affected through negative thoughts about self or others, guilt, blame, shame and loss of interest in activities (National Institute of Mental Health, 2016). Furthermore, PTSD sufferers may feel alienated or become detached from the community, friends or even family members. Individuals diagnosed with PTSD have an increased risk for behavioral health issues and social dysfunction (Sotero, 2006). Experiences of chronic trauma create deep emotional scars affecting life-long patterns of interpersonal relationships, the inability to master life skills and role performance. These individuals are so deeply traumatized that it effects their functioning, such as ability to maintain employment, retain stable housing, function within a family group and maintain social relationship. These individuals may live well below their abilities because of the social and psychological consequences linked to their condition. Domestic Violence and Homelessness There is a direct relationship between the traumatic events associated with domestic violence and the ability to maintain stable housing. When a victim chooses to flee from an abusive relationship, she does not always have alternative safe place to reside. The lack of affordable housing, limited resources and long waiting lists for assisted housing means that women are forced to remain with their abuser or become homeless.