Gradual Exposure (S&S)
In the Snake vs Stick story, what was it that first scared the child?
Snake
A large dog runs toward you barking with its teeth showing? Flight, Fight, or Freeze?
Flight
A smoke detector goes off because there's a fire in the kitchen.
Real alar
After a car accident, a child becomes nervous every time she hears screeching tires.
What is the trauma reminder?
The sound of screeching tires.
What is my favorite color?
Turquoise
In the Snake vs Stick story, what is the brain trying to do when it mistakes a stick for a snake?
Protect you by reacting quickly to possible danger.
A teacher unexpectedly calls your name, and for a second you can't move or answer. Fight, Flight, or Freeze?
Freeze
The smoke detector goes off because someone burned toast.
False alarm
Noah was bitten by a dog. He is safe and healed now, but still has reminders of when it happened.
What could be reminders for Noah?
- Dogs
- Dogs Barking
- Dog Park
What is my favorite food?
Pizza
(If you said Mac and Cheese and ground beef you lose the double points)
You see a stick on the ground that looks like a snake and instantly jump back before realizing it's a stick. Was your brain trying to trick you or protect you?
Protect you.
Someone suddenly grabs your arm from behind. Flight, Fight, or Freeze?
Fight
You hear fireworks and your heart starts racing because they sound like something scary from the past.
False alarm (the brain is reacting to a remidner)
Johnny got lost in the grocery store once when he went with his parents. Johnny found his parents and is safe now, but occasionally gets reminders of what happened.
What reminders could Johnny have?
- Going to the grocery store
- Not being able to find his parents
- Intercom Announcements
What is my favorite thing to do?
Game =1 pts.
Sleep= -1 pts.
Play basketball = 3 pts.
What is the difference between same and safe situations?
"Same" means something reminds the brain of a past danger. "Safe" means there is no actual danger right now.
Give an example of a situation where your Survival Brain would choose to Freeze.
Ex..
- During a lockdown drill, everyone is told to stay completely still and quiet.
- You walk into a surprise birthday party.
Any example where your body naturally would want to freeze up and not know how to react yet.
Someone suddenly yells "Look out!" as a bike speeds toward you.
Real alarm
Billy gets very nervous when it storms, especially when there is loud thunder. Billy often checks the weather app on his phone, and feels his heart start beating fast when the forecast is calling for a storm.
What traumatic event could Billy have been in for him to now have these fears and behaviors?
Billy witnessed/experienced some kind of bad storm.
What is my favorite thing to watch?
Black-ish
Why would the brain rather mistake a stick for a snake than mistake a snake for a stick?
Because reacting to a false alarm is safer than missing a real danger.
Give an example of a situation where your Survival Brain would choose to Flight.
Ex...
- You're hiking and see a bear in the distance.
- You see a dog start to run after you.
Any situation where your body needs too quickly escape the situation and get away.
Explain the difference between a real and false alarm.
A "Real Alarm" means there is real danger.
A "False Alarm" means there is not real danger, but the alarm may have reminded you of something that is a real danger.
Tyler hears someone laugh exactly the same way a person from his past used to laugh. His heart races and he suddenly wants to leave.
1. What is the trauma reminder?
2. Is Tyler in danger right now?
3. What is his brain trying to do?
1. The laugh.
2. No.
3. Protect him from possible danger.
How fast would I have to be to escape the atmosphere? (in seconds)
Approximately 296,635 mps