Intro to Trauma Competent Care
A Deeper Look at Toxic Stress Lesson 3
GOAL: To focus on the toxicity of trauma and also briefly address what to do if you’ve experienced trauma. There is meaning behind behavior. There are reasons why a child or adult behaves the way he does and we need to find the reason and source and to help that person resolve it. Children or adults who have lived through adverse childhood experiences come from what we call CUTS: • • • •
Chronic Unpredictable Toxic Stress
Research shows that living in a CUTS environment can have long-term impact in five vital areas: • Brain. The brain is stuck in fear; it cannot protect and develop at the same time. • Body. Physical problems, including respiratory and digestive issues, sleep issues, problems with balance and coordination, skin problems and more. • Biology. Organs and tissues, even down to a cellular level, can be affected. Hormonal systems and the immune systems are impacted and the ability to fight off infections can be compromised. • Belief System. Who we are and what we do are formed early in life and come from the words we hear and the experiences we have. “As a man thinks, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7 • Behavior. Some children and adults display behaviors that are out of normal conduct because of what has happened to them. Instead of asking, “ What’s wrong with that person?” Consider the more compassionate question, “ What has happened to that person?”
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