Friend or Foe? (Myth vs. Fact)
Myth or Fact: Trauma only happens after something life-threatening.
What is Myth?
The part of the brain that can say "I think everything is dangerous!"
Who is the Amygdala?
You suddenly can't remember what you were going to say during an argument.
Which survival response is this?
Freeze
You walk into Walmart and instantly want to leave because it's too loud.
This is called...
Nervous system overwhelm or sensory overload
Healing begins with this...
Safety
This determines whether an event becomes traumatic more than the event itself.
What is the person's nervous system and experience?
The part of the brain that might say "I'm trying to think logically but somebody keeps pulling the fire alarm."
Who is the Prefrontal Cortex?
Your boss gives constructive criticism and your heart races like you're in danger.
What just happened?
A trigger activated the nervous system.
You keep checking that the door is locked even though you know it is.
Trauma often causes this feeling.
Hypervigilance
Name one thing that tells your nervous system,
"I'm safe now."
Examples:
Deep breathing
Grounding
A trusted person
Movement
Petting an animal
Myth or Fact: Someone can develop trauma even if another person wouldn't.
What is Fact?
The part of the brain that might say "I organize memories, but trauma makes my filing cabinet messy."
Who is the Hippocampus?
You apologize constantly—even when nothing is your fault.
Which trauma response might this be?
Fawn
Someone texts "Can we talk?"
Your brain immediately assumes you're in trouble.
This is called...
Catastrophizing or threat detection
This ability allows the brain to literally rewire itself.
Neuroplasticity
Name one thing that can protect someone from developing long-term trauma after a difficult event.
Supportive relationships
Feeling safe afterward
Healthy coping
Early intervention
Community support
This chemical helps you survive danger—but too much for too long can wear your body down.
What is cortisol?
You feel numb, disconnected, or like you're watching yourself from outside your body.
What is dissociation?
You avoid places, conversations, or people that remind you of painful experiences.
Avoidance
Which helps regulate the nervous system?
A) Holding your breath
B) Scrolling social media for three hours
C) Slow exhale
D) Drinking another energy drink
C. Slow Exhale
Myth or Fact: If you don't remember your trauma clearly, it probably wasn't that bad.
What is Myth?
Put these in order:
Danger →
Amygdala →
Fight/Flight →
Thinking Brain
Danger → Amygdala → Survival Response → Thinking Brain comes back online
Name all four major trauma survival responses.
Fight
Flight
Freeze
Fawn
🎭 Act It Out
The host acts nervous, looks over both shoulders, jumps at every noise, and can't sit facing away from the door.
Contestants identify the trauma response.
Hypervigilance
Name THREE things that help widen your Window of Tolerance.
Examples:
Sleep
Exercise
Connection
Nutrition
Mindfulness
Therapy
Boundaries
Routine
Feeling safe