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What is Toxic Stress?

Achieving anything in life usually involves stress.

A normal amount of stress is good for us.  It makes us stronger.  

WHEN DOES STRESS BECOME TOXIC?

​Stress can become a problem when it:

overwhelms,

continues for too long 

​and

we have no support and feel isolated or helpless.

STRESS can become

TOXIC STRESS

which is also called 

TRAUMA

NONE of us thinks we have trauma

but

​

TOXIC STRESS/TRAUMA is far more COMMON than we realize.  
in fact it is often called 
THE HIDDEN EPIDEMIC

WHAT CAN CAUSE TOXIC STRESS?

​Divorce

Surgery or medical procedure (including dentistry)

Giving birth

Losing your job

Car crash

Death of a loved one

Natural disaster

Abuse

"TRAUMA IS PERHAPS THE MOST AVOIDED, IGNORED, BELITTLED, DENIED,

MISUNDERSTOOD, AND UNTREATED CAUSE OF HUMAN SUFFERING"

- Dr. Peter A. Levine

​