Toxicity is a useful shorthand for “harm that keeps getting into the system and making it worse over time.” In psychology and everyday life, it usually means patterns (in thoughts, relationships, or cultures) that regularly damage well‑being instead of supporting it.
Childhood neglect is when a child’s basic needs for care, attention, and safety are not met over a long period of time. It is not just about big, obvious events; it is often about what doesn’t happen that should have happened.