Trauma Basics
What is trauma?
Trauma is the result of a traumatic event ..
Abuse (physical, sexual, or emotional), Neglect, Effects of poverty (such as homelessness or not having enough to eat), Being separated from loved ones, Bullying Witnessing harm to a loved one or pet (e.g., domestic or community violence), Natural disasters or accidents, Unpredictable parental behavior due to addiction or mental illness
What is complex trauma? a) child's exposure to multiple traumatic events and impact of that exposure b) really bad trauma
What is a) child's exposure to multiple traumatic events?
What does PTSD stand for?
What is Post-traumatic stress disorder.
Trauma symptoms are things teens experience in: a) bodies (hurts) b) heads (thoughts) c)both
What is c)both?
True or False: Children who have experienced complex trauma are not bad; they just have gone through bad things.
What is true?
True or False? The stress caused by trauma can affect all aspects of a person’s life including mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
True
Name 3 trauma symptoms
Difficulty paying attention • Being quiet or withdrawn • Frequent tears or sadness • Talking often about scary feelings and ideas • Difficulty transitioning from one activity to the next • Fighting with peers or adults • Changes in school performance • Wanting to be left alone • Eating much more or less than peers • Getting into trouble at home or school • Frequent headaches or stomachaches with no apparent cause • Behaviors common to younger children (thumb sucking, bed wetting, fear of the dark) Being tired all the time, sleeping much more (or less) than peers, nightmares • Risky behaviors • Fighting • Not wanting to spend time with friends • Using drugs or alcohol, running away from home, or getting into trouble with the law
TRUE
What is a trauma trigger?
A trigger is some aspect of a traumatic event that occurs in a completely different situation but reminds the child of the original event. Examples may be sounds, smells, feelings, places, postures, tones of voice, or even emotions.
True or false: Complex trauma can happen to anybody and any family.
True!
What percentage of Americans have PTSD?
* Double Jeopardy* What percentage of teens have PTSD?
According to the National Center for PTSD, about 5% of adults in the United States, or around 13 million people, have PTSD in any given year. However, the prevalence of PTSD can vary depending on the population being studied. For example, among adolescents ages 13–18, the lifetime prevalence of PTSD is 8%.
What is Fight, Flight, and Freeze?
Our body's response to trauma resulting in changes in the body—such as faster heart rate and higher blood pressure—as well as changes in how the brain perceives and responds to the world.
How might a child feel when they have been through complex trauma?
a) Feel bad about themselves b) Feel like people don't care about them c)Feel worried about the future d)All of the above
What is PTSD?
Double Jeopardy!! Name symptoms of PTSD.
PTSD is a collection of symptoms someone may develop as a reaction to a traumatic or life-threatening event.
Reexperiencing/remembering (flashbacks or nightmares). Avoidance (distressing memories and reminders about the event). Negative cognitions and mood (feeling alienated, persistent negative beliefs). Alterations in arousal (reckless behavior, persistent sleep disturbance)