Types
Acute trauma.
What IS the fight or flight response?
An innate physiological reaction to a perceived threat or stressor.
During trauma, the "fear circuit" kicks in and bypasses this region, disallowing one from thinking through the situation.
The prefrontal cortex.
This type of exercise focuses on bringing yourself back to the present to manage distress/anxiety by breathing, focusing on sensation of feet on ground, or noticing things you can see, touch, etc.
Grounding exercises.
What principal of neurotherapy indicates that the brain can adapt and change over time, allowing the brain to heal and restore itself?
Neuroplasticity.
This type of trauma create a continuous cycle of stress, making it harder for a person to excape or heal from the psychological and emotional impact.
Chronic trauma.
The fight or flight response involves the release of what hormones into the body to prepare it for action?
Stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.
This neural region becomes hyperactive in response to trauma and exaggerates emotional responses.
The amygdala.
This activity releases endorphins, a natural mood-booster, and can help with overall relaxation.
Physical exercise.
What does a reduction in alpha frequencies look like in someone who has post-traumatic stress?
In an eyes closed state, this can reflect hypervigilance and arousal.
This type of trauma is exposure to multiple or repeated events, typically occurring in situations where the person has little control or ability to escape.
Complex trauma.
What was the fight or flight response designed to do?
To help survival in dangerous or threatening situations.
Trauma causes this region to the brain to produce heightened anxiety, sensitivity to perceived threats, constant vigilance and exaggerated fear response.
The amygdala.
This activity involves expressing thoughts and feelings that can help you process difficult emotions and gain a sense of closure.
Letter writing.
How does post-traumatic stress show up in HRV patterns?
A low SDNN (under 30) - an indication the heart and nervous system are "locked down." Also, a low frequency range (yellow bar) that is producing double that of a high frequency range (green bar) - an indication of an elevated fight or flight response.
This type of trauma is a prolonged exposure over an extended period of time (i.e. domestic violence, abusive relationships, neglect).
Chronic trauma.
The brain activates which nervous system that triggers the fight or flight response?
The sympathetic nervous system.
Trauma causes trouble with rational thinking, impulse control and emotional regulation, all related to this region of the brain.
The prefrontal cortex.
This is a powerful way to process trauma-related thoughts and feelings
Journaling.
What does post-traumatic stress do to beta waves?
Creates too much beta activity, fueling racing thoughts, hypervigilance and emotional reactivity.
This type of trauma relates to the cumulative effect of repeated trauma that can severely disrupt emotional development, leaving to long-term psychological issues like difficulty forming relationships, emotional dysregulation, and persistent feelings of helplessness or shame
Complex trauma.
What happens if the stress response persists?
It can lead to the development of more lasting and problematic symptoms.
Trauma can shrink and/or impact this area, making it difficult to process, store and recall traumatic memories.
The hippocampus.
This helps to build a kind and caring attitude towards yourself.
Self-compassion. Try it!!
How can biofeedback help someone with PTSD?
It helps to restore balance to the nervous system, originally dysregulated by trauma, and improves stress resilience as well as self-regulation.