Stress is part of life. It helps us function in new or exciting situations. In such a situation, a signal is sent to your brain. It triggers your body to produces stress hormones, which help you assess the situation in a millisecond and decide what action to take. The four most common reactions are: fight, flight, freeze or 'befriend'. When danger is over, everything returns to normal. Feelings of stress subsides and stress hormones disappear from your body.

Stress system in a state of disarray

If tense or dangerous events keep recurring, as in the case of abuse or growing up with a parent with serious problems, children's stress system becomes disrupted. They feel unsafe for long periods of time with those on whom they depend for love and care and in the place where they should feel safe and relaxed. The alarm bell in these children's brains is set too sharp and goes off constantly, causing their bodies to keep producing stress hormones. These hormones help them stay upright in a threatening environment, but also make it rare for them to feel completely relaxed and safe. Stress hormones that are not properly drained can cause serious damage in children's bodies and brains. Especially when children are still developing, the consequences can be severe.

Trauma symptoms

Of all children who experience one or more shocking events, about 16% develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). How many children who grow up unsafe at home this concerns, we do not know exactly. However, these children do have an increased risk of developing all kinds of (traumatic) stress symptoms. Due to chronic stress, children may have difficulty understanding, controlling and expressing emotions. Children feel easily overstimulated and may experience emotional outbursts, such as crying attacks, bursts of anger or extreme fear reactions. Other children try to block troublesome thoughts and feelings as much as possible and instead seem distant and unreachable.

Children may also develop psychosomatic complaints, such as headaches or stomach aches, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms or concentration problems. All complaints that can disrupt physical, cognitive and socio-emotional development. If these complaints persist for too long or are too intense, trauma treatment is needed. But treatment may also be appropriate for other complaints resulting from abuse and neglect.

What does stress do to children?

Chronic stress and traumatic experiences can have an impact on children's brain development, emotions and behaviour.

Tools and materials

Window of Tolerance English version

Animations: Window of tolerance

The Window of tolerance animation explains the impact of dramatic events on a child. It visualizes the consequences of stress on the development of brain. But also, how you can help a child to cope with stress.

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Animation: How does stress affect children?

Stress has a huge impact on a child's brain. This Dutch animation (with English subtitles) explains how stress and adversity may affect brain development and what a resilient brain is about.

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Infographics: Adverse childhood experiences

A child which grows up with a lot of stress, fear and insecurity can suffer from adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). For professionals there are 6 infographics with more information on what causes profound experiences.

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Courses

courses

How to support refugee children & youth

Help refugee children to strengthen their resilience, deal with stress and trauma, but also give them the opportunity to feel safe again. This course is developed for teachers who have refugee children in class.

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