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Toxic Childhood Stress: The Legacy of Early Trauma and How to Heal
Perfect for fans of The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, this eye-opening book includes a free Adverse Childhood Experience test and looks at the widespread crisis of trauma and childhood adversity through the objective lens of science and medicine, providing a roadmap for deeper understanding and change. It is vital now more than ever, as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, that we find a way to address, understand and heal trauma.
Two thirds of us have experienced at least one adverse childhood experience, from the likes of bereavement and divorce to abuse and neglect. In Toxic Childhood Stress Dr Burke Harris reveals the science behind childhood adversity and offers a new way of understanding the adverse events that affect us throughout our lifetime. Based on her own groundbreaking clinical work and public leadership, Dr Burke Harris shows us how we can disrupt this cycle through interventions that help retrain the brain and body, foster resilience, and help children, families, and adults live healthier, happier lives.
When a young boy walked into Dr Nadine Burke Harris's clinic he looked healthy for a preschooler. But he was seven, and hadn't grown a centimetre since a traumatic event when he was four. At that moment Dr Burke Harris knew that her gut feeling about a connection between childhood stress and future ill health was more than just a hunch – and she began her journey into groundbreaking research with stunning results.
Two thirds of us have experienced at least one adverse childhood experience, from the likes of bereavement and divorce to abuse and neglect. In Toxic Childhood Stress Dr Burke Harris reveals the science behind childhood adversity and offers a new way of understanding the adverse events that affect us throughout our lifetime. Based on her own groundbreaking clinical work and public leadership, Dr Burke Harris shows us how we can disrupt this cycle through interventions that help retrain the brain and body, foster resilience, and help children, families, and adults live healthier, happier lives.
When a young boy walked into Dr Nadine Burke Harris's clinic he looked healthy for a preschooler. But he was seven, and hadn't grown a centimetre since a traumatic event when he was four. At that moment Dr Burke Harris knew that her gut feeling about a connection between childhood stress and future ill health was more than just a hunch – and she began her journey into groundbreaking research with stunning results.
311 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 25, 2020
52 people are currently reading
2020 people want to read
About the author
Nadine Burke Harris
5 books392 followersA pioneer in the field of medicine, pediatrician Dr. Nadine Burke Harris is a leader in the movement to transform how we respond to early childhood adversity and the resulting toxic stress that dramatically impacts our health and longevity. By exploring the science behind childhood adversity, she offers a new way to understand the adverse events that affect all of us throughout our lifetimes. As the founder/CEO of the Center for Youth Wellness, she has brought these scientific discoveries and her new approach to audiences at the Mayo Clinic, American Academy of Pediatrics, Google Zeitgeist and Dreamforce. Nadine’s TED Talk, “How childhood trauma affects health across a lifetime,” has been viewed more than 3 million times. Her work has been profiled in the New Yorker, in Paul Tough’s best-selling book, How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character, and in Jamie Redford’s feature film, “Resilience”. Dr. Burke Harris’s work has also earned her the Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism in Medicine Award presented by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Heinz Award for the Human Condition.
Additionally, she serves as an expert advisor on the Too Small to Fail initiative to improve the lives of children, and on the American Academy of Pediatrics National Advisory Board For Screening. And finally,
Dr. Burke Harris is writing a book on the issue of Childhood Adversity and Health called the Deepest Well that is expected to be a bestseller and will be released in January 2018.
from https://centerforyouthwellness.org/ou...
Additionally, she serves as an expert advisor on the Too Small to Fail initiative to improve the lives of children, and on the American Academy of Pediatrics National Advisory Board For Screening. And finally,
Dr. Burke Harris is writing a book on the issue of Childhood Adversity and Health called the Deepest Well that is expected to be a bestseller and will be released in January 2018.
from https://centerforyouthwellness.org/ou...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
September 10, 2020
Unfortunately, most of the book is about the process of establishing Toxic Childhood Stress as a relatively accepted component of the overall health of a person but not enough information is included, and certainly not in a meaningful way, about healing.
More than the legacy, it should be a story of how one professional navigated thru the subject.
I read it in a few hours. Really enjoyed the case studies but the rest of the story was not what I expected or wanted to read about.
Will be looking for books that go a bit more in depth on healing than a corporate case.
More than the legacy, it should be a story of how one professional navigated thru the subject.
I read it in a few hours. Really enjoyed the case studies but the rest of the story was not what I expected or wanted to read about.
Will be looking for books that go a bit more in depth on healing than a corporate case.
April 21, 2023
3.5 ⭐
I liked this book, I'm not going to lie. It's a very good read for someone who hasn't heard of ACE and it's consequences before. What I didn't like about this book is that the author was acting as if SHE was the one who discovered the phenomena of ACE in the first place. This kind of highlighted the failure of medical model to go beyond and understand biopsychosocial model of etiology. This book seemed less about the ACE and it's consequences and more about her achievements (which must be lauded, like woman did indeed draw lot of attention to the issue but this book tanked her effort and made her look like a self clouting person). There's only one chapter that describes ACE and it's consequences. Rest is all about her "DISCOVERIES". I couldn't wait to finish this book tbh.
I liked this book, I'm not going to lie. It's a very good read for someone who hasn't heard of ACE and it's consequences before. What I didn't like about this book is that the author was acting as if SHE was the one who discovered the phenomena of ACE in the first place. This kind of highlighted the failure of medical model to go beyond and understand biopsychosocial model of etiology. This book seemed less about the ACE and it's consequences and more about her achievements (which must be lauded, like woman did indeed draw lot of attention to the issue but this book tanked her effort and made her look like a self clouting person). There's only one chapter that describes ACE and it's consequences. Rest is all about her "DISCOVERIES". I couldn't wait to finish this book tbh.
May 30, 2021
The book is a culmination of Dr Nadine's lived and scientific research into how toxic stress in childhood affects general well-being. Dr Nadine proposes a universal screening for ACE scores and makes a strong case for it.
ACE (adverse childhood experiences) has been as the peripherals of modern psychology and this book, hopefully, plays a pivotal role in bringing the conversation to centerstage. It's obvious that a child facing any form of toxic stress will end up with a dysregulated, maladaptive stress response that will go on until they fix it in their adulthood - at which point a fair amount of damage has been done.
Personally, this book validated my experiences and has helped me to nurture a more positive outlook moving forward. Dr Nadine makes it very clear there is no element of biological determinism in ACE scores - and the text serves as a proof. She writes empathetically about the condition, and while there were a couple of instances of PR-ish moves to justify all the things that happened in her experiences, it didn't get in the way of the story.
Would recommend the book as a perfect primer for anyone keen to learn about the psychology of toxic stress & childhood without getting too much into the nitty gritty (unlike The Body Keeps The Score - i mean it in a good way)
ACE (adverse childhood experiences) has been as the peripherals of modern psychology and this book, hopefully, plays a pivotal role in bringing the conversation to centerstage. It's obvious that a child facing any form of toxic stress will end up with a dysregulated, maladaptive stress response that will go on until they fix it in their adulthood - at which point a fair amount of damage has been done.
Personally, this book validated my experiences and has helped me to nurture a more positive outlook moving forward. Dr Nadine makes it very clear there is no element of biological determinism in ACE scores - and the text serves as a proof. She writes empathetically about the condition, and while there were a couple of instances of PR-ish moves to justify all the things that happened in her experiences, it didn't get in the way of the story.
Would recommend the book as a perfect primer for anyone keen to learn about the psychology of toxic stress & childhood without getting too much into the nitty gritty (unlike The Body Keeps The Score - i mean it in a good way)
November 4, 2020
Source: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review via Netgalley. Thanks to both Netgalley and the Publisher.
Title: Toxic Childhood Stress
Series: N/A
Author: Nadine Burke Harris
Overall Rating: 4 stars
This book is incredibly interesting, following Dr. Harris's career as a children's doctor and her discovery that Adverse Childhood Experiences or ACEs, can have a profound effect on children's develop, especially at a young age. While I feel like book was incredibly interesting, well written and clearly well researched, it didn't necessarily hold my interest throughout simply because it's a subject I know little to nothing about. It's a nice introduction but I found myself kind of feeling a little lost in places. But overall, a nice and informative read.
Title: Toxic Childhood Stress
Series: N/A
Author: Nadine Burke Harris
Overall Rating: 4 stars
This book is incredibly interesting, following Dr. Harris's career as a children's doctor and her discovery that Adverse Childhood Experiences or ACEs, can have a profound effect on children's develop, especially at a young age. While I feel like book was incredibly interesting, well written and clearly well researched, it didn't necessarily hold my interest throughout simply because it's a subject I know little to nothing about. It's a nice introduction but I found myself kind of feeling a little lost in places. But overall, a nice and informative read.
June 1, 2021
I don't work specifically with children who have suffered early trauma but I did find this very interesting and useful. Knowing the signs, the health impact and what can be done was very interesting. Will keep on my bookshelf.
April 20, 2025
A fascinating and urgent book that has helped me understand (to another level) how connected everything is. It will help me in my career as well as my personal life.
Easy to read yet explores complex topics. Would highly recommend this read for anyone working with children.
Easy to read yet explores complex topics. Would highly recommend this read for anyone working with children.
July 23, 2024
2.5/5
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October 18, 2021Really loved this book, it's biographical and explains the way the female doctor writing it came to help invent ACE scores. It follows the experiences of some of her real patients and does a great job of explaining the neurology and physiology behind trauma and how it affects the body and health later in life. Less dry than it sounds and the narrative makes the knowledge way easier to digest.
February 21, 2023
Probably one of the best books on how trauma effects the body that I've ever read.
September 17, 2020
Working with children who have suffered childhood trauma I found this book both fascinating and useful. I will be able to use it in my professional life, but people who have suffered childhood trauma may also find it useful.
August 17, 2020
I’d say it depends what you want from a book of this nature, as its focus isn’t to offer practical guidance for an individual on their journey to overcoming trauma. Instead it breaks down the science of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and looks at it more as a wider societal issue.
I tend to read around topics of anxiety and trauma from a self-help perspective, and what I’ve found is that they’re often gentle in tone, in consideration of the audience, and what pace you may need to go at.
Toxic Childhood Stress, although more informative that self-help, was still warm in tone, interspersed with anecdotes, autobiographical sections and case studies. It begins with a case presented to Dr Nadine – a boy named Diego, whose physical growth has been stunted due to experiencing abuse. This prompts Nadine to explore further into the connection between ACEs and long-term physical health.
The science in this book is completely accessible and conversational. I found myself wanting to note take, I was introduced to new terminology but also a new perspective of mental health; Nadine urges us to think on the fact that ACE’s could be mitigated, and the ramifications of this are enormous. This book isn’t simply about explaining the science – which is does impeccably – but about appealing to us to try and transform the world. There is also a brilliant forward by Kerry Hudson (author of ‘Lowborn’) in which she commends the book. I also came away with a point she made – that it is not the symptoms of toxic stress that are necessarily the issue, but not knowing that they are symptoms.
I tend to read around topics of anxiety and trauma from a self-help perspective, and what I’ve found is that they’re often gentle in tone, in consideration of the audience, and what pace you may need to go at.
Toxic Childhood Stress, although more informative that self-help, was still warm in tone, interspersed with anecdotes, autobiographical sections and case studies. It begins with a case presented to Dr Nadine – a boy named Diego, whose physical growth has been stunted due to experiencing abuse. This prompts Nadine to explore further into the connection between ACEs and long-term physical health.
The science in this book is completely accessible and conversational. I found myself wanting to note take, I was introduced to new terminology but also a new perspective of mental health; Nadine urges us to think on the fact that ACE’s could be mitigated, and the ramifications of this are enormous. This book isn’t simply about explaining the science – which is does impeccably – but about appealing to us to try and transform the world. There is also a brilliant forward by Kerry Hudson (author of ‘Lowborn’) in which she commends the book. I also came away with a point she made – that it is not the symptoms of toxic stress that are necessarily the issue, but not knowing that they are symptoms.
October 25, 2020
This is a fascinating book - its written from the first hand perspective of Dr Nadine Burke-Harris and looks at the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE's) on development and illness. She starts in the earlier days of her practice with an example of a young bit who has stopped growing with no medical reason.... everything that follows looks at how difficult it now is to separate ACE'S from medicine and how the typical 'underlying health condition' does not typically take account of childhood trauma. ACE's are now shown to have links to physical development, immunity, illness and links to serious conditions that include multiple sclerosis. The impact is truly mind-blowing and the scale needed to reverse this is equally so. Typically psychology has been the way forward for trauma - but this book shows us, the solution is way more complex and requires a multi discipline approach.
Anyone who works with people - children or adults affected by ACE's would benefit from reading this. Any parent would benefit from reading this. Its now clear that ACE's are intergenerational so we need to be aware of how our own upbringing have affected who we are and how we are. Although its written by a doctor, this is easy to read - complex terms are explained and broken down to make them easily accessible. I felt like Dr Nadine was talking to me - you can hear her voice, her passion and compassion throughout. Its well researched but embedded in real life examples. The information about the impact of ACE's needs to be out there.... if this is the first time you read about it, its an excellent place to start.
Anyone who works with people - children or adults affected by ACE's would benefit from reading this. Any parent would benefit from reading this. Its now clear that ACE's are intergenerational so we need to be aware of how our own upbringing have affected who we are and how we are. Although its written by a doctor, this is easy to read - complex terms are explained and broken down to make them easily accessible. I felt like Dr Nadine was talking to me - you can hear her voice, her passion and compassion throughout. Its well researched but embedded in real life examples. The information about the impact of ACE's needs to be out there.... if this is the first time you read about it, its an excellent place to start.
August 8, 2024
This is one of the best books on childhood trauma I have ever read, and as a complex trauma specialist, I’ve read a lot. Dr. Harris beautifully illustrates the impact of childhood neglect and abuse on an individual, starting with the body and nervous system, and stemming out into lifelong physical, emotional, and relational health. Her openness and curiosity is such a strength; when so many doctors feel they have all the answers based on existing science, Dr. Harris said there weren’t enough answers and started looking. What she discovered has far-reaching implications for public health and general medicine. If you work with trauma, you won’t be surprised by any of it, but you will be relieved that therapists aren’t the only ones talking about this now. There is zero reason this should not be as popular and as well known as the The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. The only reason I can think of is that a Black woman wrote it. *mic drop*
September 3, 2024
I loved the lived experience story telling. It’s a very informative mémoire from a campaigning medical professional. This book was very readable as a story and had me walking at 5.30am just to read more.
It’s about how child hood experiences shape our lives not only from memories we’re aware of embedded emotional reactions, but from biological changes which increase the risk of developing particular diseases. I think it has been re-titled but I still think the title hasn’t nailed it yet.
I would highly recommend it to anyone working with children or families. It will lead to more understanding, compassion and solutions.
The criticisms on here seem to be because readers were expecting therapy or solutions to trauma. This book is a personal story about campaigning for widespread screening for Adverse Childhood Experiences in order to better heal and protect all children. I applaud the author.
It’s about how child hood experiences shape our lives not only from memories we’re aware of embedded emotional reactions, but from biological changes which increase the risk of developing particular diseases. I think it has been re-titled but I still think the title hasn’t nailed it yet.
I would highly recommend it to anyone working with children or families. It will lead to more understanding, compassion and solutions.
The criticisms on here seem to be because readers were expecting therapy or solutions to trauma. This book is a personal story about campaigning for widespread screening for Adverse Childhood Experiences in order to better heal and protect all children. I applaud the author.
October 1, 2020
Toxic Childhood Stresses is a fascinating book written by Nadine Burke Harris the Surgeon General of California. I was already aware of the impact of ACE’s (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and how our brains and bodies respond to toxic stress in childhood through professional training courses. This book outlines the author’s experiences and research into this issue and how a high ACE score can lead to lifelong physical and mental challenges.
The book is easily accessible to non medical professionals and has many interesting and relevant anecdotes that bring the information to life. It is useful in my professional life working with children who have experienced ACE’s, but would also be helpful to adults who have also experienced childhood trauma. There is also a related TED talk by Nadine Burke Harris that is worth watching, and first piqued my interest in this area.
The book is easily accessible to non medical professionals and has many interesting and relevant anecdotes that bring the information to life. It is useful in my professional life working with children who have experienced ACE’s, but would also be helpful to adults who have also experienced childhood trauma. There is also a related TED talk by Nadine Burke Harris that is worth watching, and first piqued my interest in this area.
April 9, 2024
3 stars. I’m glad this book was less than 300 pages, but realistically, the points could’ve been made in less than 150. Although I found the core message to be interesting, I didn’t like the way the author presented the book. It felt very cookie-cutter/ inauthentic/ slightly patronising. A lot of it was a nod to the authors own personal accomplishments, which would be fine in any other context, but it’s not what you’d expect to be reading about based on the blurb & it’s not why I purchased the book. There’s also no real solutions in here outside of a few generic sentences on sleep, exercise, healthy eating etc that we all already know about
October 4, 2020
Looking back as an adult who works within the education sector, I can definitely relate to a vast amount of the information described as Toxic childhood stress.
Dr Nadine Burke Harris gives an insightful look into how ACE's (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and stress affects childhood.
This book has definitely provided me with more tools and knowledge to add to my toolkit. It is very well written, easy to understand and is a must for anyone working in the education sector - especially pertinent for the current climate.
Dr Nadine Burke Harris gives an insightful look into how ACE's (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and stress affects childhood.
This book has definitely provided me with more tools and knowledge to add to my toolkit. It is very well written, easy to understand and is a must for anyone working in the education sector - especially pertinent for the current climate.
July 14, 2020
Written from the trenches of the battle to save our society from the physical and psychological damage inflicted on us all by toxic stress in childhood.
Everyone should read this - it will help us to understand ourselves and those around us. It will help us to be healthier and happier in our futures.
Written with heart, empathy, clarity and approachability, it is a tour de force which will, I hope, change the world. We
Everyone should read this - it will help us to understand ourselves and those around us. It will help us to be healthier and happier in our futures.
Written with heart, empathy, clarity and approachability, it is a tour de force which will, I hope, change the world. We
September 27, 2020
I found this book incredibly difficult to get through. It was very dry.
It just seemed to go through different case studies, and felt very repetitive.
It's a topic I find fascinating, but I don't have any training in it, or fully understand the theories.
If you don't have full background info on this topic, I fear you will have the same problems I had with the book, and just won't enjoy it or get enough out of it.
It just seemed to go through different case studies, and felt very repetitive.
It's a topic I find fascinating, but I don't have any training in it, or fully understand the theories.
If you don't have full background info on this topic, I fear you will have the same problems I had with the book, and just won't enjoy it or get enough out of it.
May 12, 2021
Very informative and relative for me! Although it does not provide a direct instruction on how to heal from adverse experiences, it has given me pointers on how to get better as well as a deeper understanding of my behaviour, thinking pattern and physical health! Now that I know all of this, I incorporate it into my daily life to support myself and I can happily say I have been the happiest I have been for a long time♡
May 29, 2021
Not what I expected, as the "how to heal" part was less practical and more theoretical, it was a good read . Told through DR Burke Harris' work and personal experience in her clinic she explains more of the science of what and how affects people who've experienced ACE and following Diego's story helped me see ways I can help myself (involving professionals) and understand, how to approach the aftermath of traumatic childhood experiences. Well written and worth the read.
March 6, 2023
Knowledge is power, they say...
and this book proves that to be perfectly true. Invest YOURSELF in absorbing the powerful truths here. It will change your life. With my new understanding, and an ACE score of 7, I now finally realise and feel that I, little me, is worth the effort and reward of self care. In my closing years, I finally matter, and that feels good. Thanks, Nadine, for striving, pushing and sharing.
and this book proves that to be perfectly true. Invest YOURSELF in absorbing the powerful truths here. It will change your life. With my new understanding, and an ACE score of 7, I now finally realise and feel that I, little me, is worth the effort and reward of self care. In my closing years, I finally matter, and that feels good. Thanks, Nadine, for striving, pushing and sharing.
December 16, 2025
This book annoyed me. To much trying to be funny and taking credits from other people’s research imo. If the had concentrated on how the writer has too little training on ACE’s and the potential impact on health and less on “aha-look what I found out”, it would have been an improvement. If compared to a book like dr. Van der Kolk (the body keeps the score) or Robert Sapolsky (why zebra’s don’t get ulcers) this book pales in the sensitive subject
February 27, 2022
If you have read The Deepest Well by the same author, don't bother reading this one. IT'S THE SAME BOOK.
They republished it under a different name, with a subtitle which makes it look (even more than the other edition) like it is a how-to guide - which is very misleading because it's not, at all.
They republished it under a different name, with a subtitle which makes it look (even more than the other edition) like it is a how-to guide - which is very misleading because it's not, at all.
April 3, 2023
Name and place dropping a lot, trying to prove her self... things she say medically don't make sense. In that case people that lived thro war like our grandparents would have all died early or had health issues..no true, they lived till 90ties and had little to none health issues.
November 24, 2020
Fascinating and utterly inspiring. Toxic stress is a concept that should be shared widely.
December 18, 2020
When I was told that I have ACE, I felt lost as I don't know what to do with the information. This book tells me everything I need to know, for myself and others too.
April 23, 2021
Should be an essential reading for all.
July 10, 2021
Not as scientific as I thought, but more about how Dr Harris got into looking at ACE and its affect on adults.
August 12, 2021
All educators should read this book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews