Our childhood experiences, as the nervous system is developing, lay the foundation for how our nervous system responds to stress, and its resilience, as we grow into adulthood.

Physical and/or sexual abuse, physical and/or emotional neglect, domestic violence, household member with substance abuse, mental illness or incarceration, parental divorce or separation. High exposure to these experiences may lead to developmental trauma or attachment trauma. 

Earthquake 

Hurricane

Home fire/wildfire

Flood

Sexual assault or exploitation,  

community violence, school shootings, bullying, animal attack, kidnapping, war, terrorist attack, commission of a violent act (as the perpetrator)

Falls, concussions

Motor vehicle accidents

Near-suffocation or near-drowning

Medical or dental procedure

Life-threatening illness

Chronic medical illness

Physical restraint/immobilization

Death of a loved one, even a pet

Loss of home/displacement

Loss of limb or bodily function

For a child, being lost in unfamiliar place

Parents fighting/violence

Witnessing parental fear

Deportation of parent

Parental illness

Chronic parental stress

Exposure to maternal stress

Birth complications

Fetal distress

Parent with post-traumatic stress disorder

Community trauma/war/genocide

Systemic racism or discrimination