Smart brain “When our brain thinks we are in danger, it responds to help us stay safe. This is called our fight/flight/freeze response. The good news is, once you are safe and calm down, everything in your brain returns to normal.”
Toxic stress decreases the size and impairs the functioning of the regions of the brain responsible for learning, memory, executive functioning (prefrontal cortex, hippocampus). As a result, the child is placed at risk for having learning and behavior problems.
Stress can cause an imbalance of neural circuitry subserving cognition, decision making, anxiety and mood that can increase or decrease expression of those behaviors and behavioral states. This imbalance, in turn, affects systemic physiology via neuroendocrine, autonomic, immune and metabolic mediators.
When children are stressed or anxious, their bodies release the hormone cortisol into the blood. This can trigger abdominal cramps and headaches. Children under stress may feel angry or overwhelmed. They are seeking ways to get out of the situation that is causing them to feel uncomfortable.
What is stress? Stress is a common feeling we get when we feel under pressure. A small amount can be good and motivate as to meet our goals. But too much stress, when it feels out of control, can impact our mood, our wellbeing, our relationships with people around us.
Children/Teens ages 11-14 are in the process of learning about their strong feelings, dealing with academic and extracurricular performance pressures, and growing friendships. All these new experiences and expectations can cause stress that is typical for all children/teens.
Causes of teenage stress
Common challenges for teenagers that may cause them stress include: homework and school (especially exams) expectations and pressure to do well at school from parents and family. social relationships with friends and boyfriends/girlfriends and the issue of sex.
Stress in Children ages 7-10 Years Old
This age group may be more aware of the unusual times we find ourselves in right now. They may have fears for their own health. They may also fear for their families because developmentally they are gaining the ability to consider another's perspective.
Children may not recognize that they are stressed. New or worsening symptoms may lead parents to suspect an increased stress level is present. Physical symptoms can include: Decreased appetite, other changes in eating habits.
Children/Teens ages 11-14 are in the process of learning about their strong feelings, dealing with academic and extracurricular performance pressures, and growing friendships. All these new experiences and expectations can cause stress that is typical for all children/teens.
Indeed, stress symptoms can affect your body, your thoughts and feelings, and your behavior. Being able to recognize common stress symptoms can help you manage them. Stress that's left unchecked can contribute to many health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and diabetes.
Toxic stress response can occur when a child experiences 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.
Effects of Toxic Parents
Those effects can continue well into adulthood. Here are nine potential effects of toxic parents: Mental health disorders in childhood, such depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
A child who cries over everything may be struggling with anxiety or depression, and therapy can help. A therapist can help your child learn how to handle criticism and setbacks without getting overwhelmed.
Thinking and Learning
Children in this age group might: Show rapid development of mental skills. Learn better ways to describe experiences and talk about thoughts and feelings. Have less focus on one's self and more concern for others.
The truth is that stress, anxiety and symptoms of depression can lead to various physical complaints and make kids more prone to illness. Poor emotional health weakens the immune system of the child, and that leads to increased absences at school.
As per the results of a large scale survey conducted across India in 2019, young adults between the age of 20 and 29 years of both genders were the most stressed in the country.
Gallup Results and Corroborating Research
Respondents age 50 and above were the least stressed (44%), the least worried (38%) and the least angry (16%).
Those aged 18-33 years old suffer the highest levels of stress in the nation, according to the American Psychological Association (APA).
Children/Teens ages 11-14 are in the process of learning about their strong feelings, dealing with academic and extracurricular performance pressures, and growing friendships. All these new experiences and expectations can cause stress that is typical for all children/teens.
Psychosocial stress impacts the brain's limbic system, which is responsible for emotions. The limbic system then communicates with the hypothalamus, and this is where much of the pubertal changes take place because it's also the site of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone pulse generator (GNRH).
Mental health conditions, such as depression, or a building sense of frustration, injustice, and anxiety can make some people feel stressed more easily than others. Previous experiences may affect how a person reacts to stressors. Common major life events that can trigger stress include: job issues or retirement.