Brain, Trauma
& the Body
& the Body
According to The Body Keeps the Score, what happens in the brain when someone experiences trauma?
the brains alarm system (amygdala) stays active, keeping the body on alert even when danger is gone.
True or False — People with depression can just “snap out of it.”
false
True or False — Bipolar disorder means someone is “moody.”
False. It involves extreme shifts between depressive and manic episodes.
What does the word “stigma” mean?
Negative judgment or shame about mental illness.
What is Dopamine?
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, a chemical messenger in the brain that plays a crucial role in various bodily functions
Which part of the brain activates during a “fight, flight, or freeze” response?
The amygdala.
What’s one physical symptom of anxiety?
Fast heartbeat, sweating, or restlessness.
What’s one common compulsion in OCD?
Repetitive behaviors like checking, counting, or cleaning.
True or False — People often use mental health terms (like “OCD” or “bipolar”) incorrectly on social media.
true. It can spread misinformation and minimize real struggles.
what happens to dopamine when you spend too much time scrolling on your phone?
dopamine overload
True or False — Trauma can change how the brain processes stress.
True. Chronic trauma reshapes brain pathways.
What chemical imbalance is often linked to depression?
Low levels of serotonin or dopamine.
What makes eating disorders mental illnesses, not just physical?
They’re driven by distorted thoughts, emotions, and control issues—not vanity.
Give one example of a harmful mental health stereotype.
“People with mental illness are violent” or “therapy is for weak people.”
Whats something you can do to get a healthy dose of dopamine?
What happens to the body when someone is triggered by past trauma?
the body reacts as if the threat is happening again—heart rate increases, muscles tense, etc.
how does chronic anxiety affect the brain over time?
It keeps the brain in constant “fight or flight” mode, making it hard to relax or focus.
What’s one danger of untreated eating disorders?
Organ failure, malnutrition, or long-term health damage.
How can the media increase stigma and awareness at the same time?
It can educate others, but also spread false or exaggerated ideas.
What happens when your dopamine levels are too low?
Low levels can lead to a lack of motivation, tiredness, low mood, and difficulty concentrating. In Parkinson's disease, low dopamine in certain brain areas causes movement problems like muscle stiffness.
Give one real life example of how someone might unknowingly carry trauma in their body.
tensing up when hearing loud noises. avoiding touch, feeling tired all the time, overreacting to stress
Name one coping strategy that helps regulate anxiety or depression.
Exercise, journaling, therapy, medication, or grounding techniques.
How does OCD differ from simply liking things “organized”?
OCD causes distress and obsessive thoughts that feel uncontrollable, not preference-based.
Give an example from a movie or tv show where a mental health disorder was shown in a harmful or inaccurate way.
Joker, Split, 13 reasons why
Symptoms of dopamine overload.