PTSD, Trauma, and the Brain
What part of the brain is responsible for detecting danger and becomes overactive during trauma?
Answer: Amygdala.
Explanation: It’s the alarm system that becomes extra sensitive after trauma.
Name one emotional and one physical trauma symptom.
Answer: Sadness and stomach aches.
Explanation: Trauma affects both how we feel and how our body works.
What is self-esteem?
Answer: How you feel about yourself.
Explanation: Bullying can make self-esteem drop.
What does ‘P’ in PRACTICE stand for and why is it important?
Answer: Psychoeducation
Explanation: It helps you understand your symptoms and the healing process.
True or False: PTSD stands for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Answer: True.
Explanation: PTSD is a condition that can happen after very scary or painful events.
What is the role of the hippocampus in trauma?
Answer: It stores memories. E
Explanation: When affected by trauma, it can confuse past danger with present safety
Why might a teen avoid people or places after bullying?
Answer: Their brain connects the place to danger.
Explanation: Avoidance helps them feel safe but keeps fear going.
What percent of teens report being bullied at school or online?
Answer: About 20%.
Explanation: That’s 1 in 5 teens, according to national data.
What does ‘R’ mean and how can it help when your alarm is loud?
Answer: Relaxation.
Explanation: It helps your body calm down when triggered.
I’m not a thing, but I can be broken. I hurt when ignored. What am I?
Answer: A heart.
Explanation: Emotional pain is real.
What is the prefrontal cortex, and why is it important in recovery?
Answer: Thinking/planning brain.
Explanation: It helps you calm down and make good choices.
What is hypervigilance and how does it affect someone who’s been bullied?
Answer: Always on alert.
Explanation: The brain scans for danger constantly, even when it’s not there.
How can repeated bullying affect beliefs about yourself?
Answer: You may believe false negative things.
Explanation: Bullying can change your inner voice and make you talk to yourself in a negative way
What does ‘C’ stand for and what does it help you notice?
Answer: Cognitive coping.
Explanation: It teaches how to catch and change unhelpful thoughts.
I hide when I’m scared and come out when I feel safe. What am I?
Answer: Trust.
Explanation: Trust disappears with trauma and grows with safety.
What does it mean to ‘flip your lid’?
Answer: It means your alarm brain (or Amy) takes over.
Explanation: When triggered, you lose access to calm thinking.
How can trauma look like ADHD symptoms?
Answer: Trauma makes it hard to focus.
Explanation: Kids may seem distracted, forgetful, or restless.
When does bullying become traumatic?
Answer: When you feel like you can't escape it and it causes fear and helplessness.
Explanation: Trauma isn’t just what happens—it’s how it feels.
What does ‘T’ in PRACTICE help you do?
Answer: Trauma narration.
Explanation: It lets you tell your story so it feels less scary.
You don’t see me, but I tell your body to fight, run, freeze, or fawn. What am I?
Answer: Amy, Your brain’s alarm.
Explanation: The amygdala (Amy) reacts to danger.
How do different parts of the brain work together or fall apart during trauma?
Answer: The alarm brain (Amy) takes over.
Explanation: The thinking part (prefrontal cortex) shuts down and the memory part (hippocampus) gets confused.
How does trauma change sleep and eating patterns?
Answer: It dysregulates routines. Explanation: Kids may have nightmares, trouble falling asleep, or lose appetite or overeat.
What are long-term impacts of untreated bullying trauma?
Answer: Low self-worth, anxiety, anger, trust issues with yourself or with other people.
Explanation: Without support, it can negatively affect relationships and goals.
Why is caregiver involvement helpful in TF-CBT? Answer: They learn new skills to support your healing.
Explanation: They help reinforce coping tools and offer safety.
True or False: Trauma means something bad happened that you’ll never forget.
Answer: False.
Explanation: Trauma is more about how your brain and body felt than what happened—it can heal over time.