ABSTRACT
The human body has a built-in alarm system, alerting the readers to danger and equipping them with everything necessary to ensure survival—stress response system. This chapter explores the aspects of the stress response, and how stress moves from adaptive to unhealthy. It starts with a triggering event, something that sets off the brain's internal alarm system. When the stress response is at optimal functioning, there are high levels of integration in the brain. Secondary or vicarious trauma can overwhelm one's coping mechanisms, resulting in toxic levels of stress, as can historical or intergenerational trauma. Recognizing the impact of toxic stress is the key to supporting children and adults impacted by trauma. Toxic stress impacts all areas of functioning. Toxic stress can also result in behaviors that impact the classroom environment.
