Studies indicate that toxic stress can have an adverse impact on brain development in children. However, when these buffering relationships are unavailable, and when the stress response is long lasting, toxic stress may be the outcome. When this stress response is activated in children in the context of supportive adult relationships, these physiological effects are buffered. Cortisol, a stress hormone, is also released, helping to mobilize the body’s energy stores, activate the immune system, and even briefly enhance memory. When confronted with an acute adverse stressor, the body releases adrenaline, triggering the fight or flight response.
The connection is likely rooted in toxic stress – the result of prolonged activation of the body’s stress management system. Traumatic stress, apart from other factors like premature birth, environmental toxins, and genetics, is associated with risk for ADHD. Traumatic Stress as a Risk Factor for ADHD
#Trauma symptoms how to
For clinicians, especially, it’s critical to understand the relationship between ADHD and PTSD, what traumatic stress does to the brain, what may constitute trauma (including who is more at risk for experiencing unique traumatic stressors), and how to protect young patients against it. Our increasing knowledge of trauma’s impact necessitates trauma-informed approaches to ADHD assessment and treatment. At the same time, ADHD may also increase the risk of exposure to trauma.
Trauma, if present with ADHD, can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. ADHD and trauma can also present similar symptoms, which may complicate assessment. Trauma and adversity can alter the brain’s architecture, especially in children, which may partly explain their link to the development of ADHD. Trauma and traumatic stress, according to a growing body of research, are closely associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD or ADD).
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