Miscellaneous!
What is a trauma trigger?
Something that reminds you of the trauma you experienced
True or False: Trauma challenges our sense of safety.
TRUE!
TFCBT stands for...
Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
What happens to our thinking and emotional brain when we are triggered or experience an intense emotion?
They cannot communicate and we act on our emotions without thinking
What is traumatic separation and loss?
Traumatic loss or separation occurs when a person loses someone close to them suddenly, unexpectedly, or in a way that is difficult to understand. This can happen if the person dies, becomes ill, or if the child is separated from them for any other reason.
True or False: When we are upset our upstairs brain can communicate with our downstairs brain...
FALSE!
Trauma affects ___________ of people everyday!
What are the components of TF-CBT?
P:psychoeducation
R:relaxation
A: affect (emotions)
C: cognitive coping
T: trauma narration
I: In-vivo exposure
C: conjoint session
E: enhancing safety
True or False: When our thinking brain and emotional brain cannot communicate, we are more likely to use our coping skills.
False
How might children feel after being separated from or losing someone close to them?
Children might feel sad, confused, or angry sometimes. Kids might also feel afraid about other unexpected things happening, or feel guilty or embarrassed about the reasons for being separated.
What are some common triggers that can lead to trauma reactions?
-unpredictability or change
-transitioning from one environment to another
-feeling out of control
-feelings of rejection, loneliness
-being confronted by caregivers/teachers/adults
-being told "no"
-yelling, sensory overload, overwhelm
-feeling like things are not fair
How do people typically react after a traumatic event?
People may think about traumatic experiences over and over beyond their control; may feel numb, scared, angry, or very sad; often avoid things that make them think about those experiences and avoid feeling painful emotions; being on the lookout
What is the purpose of TF-CBT?
Why are you doing TF-CBT?
To help understand trauma, heal my own trauma, and help me feel better.
To work through trauma that is impacting your life.
What is fight, flight, or freeze?
It is the survival mode our brain goes into when we are faced with danger. When we experience trauma we go into survival mode more often.
What kinds of thoughts might kids have after an unwanted separation or loss of someone you are close to?
Kids sometimes have positive thoughts/memories about those they have lost or been separated from, but may also have negative thoughts that bother them. Children may also have difficulty trusting others, view the world as unsafe, and view others as unreliable. Kids may also blame themselves, but it is never a child's fault.
What might happen when facing a trauma reminder or trigger?
When you hear, see, or feel something that reminds you of a traumatic experience, the danger signal in the brain sets off an alarm even if there is nothing dangerous. You may respond with the same feelings and actions (e.g., fight, flight, freeze) of when the trauma was happening.
True or False: When a child experiences lots of changes and disruptions to routine, the world can feel unpredictable and unsafe.
True!
Where are you at in TF-CBT?
Psychoeducation
True or False: Trauma can make it hard for us to solve problems, focus, and it can change the way our brain works
True
How does losing someone close to you impact how you behave and feel in your body?
-feeling jumpy, trouble concentrating
-try to avoid thoughts or feelings or memories related to the person or the separation experience
-becoming extra careful and watching out for danger
-express anger with aggression, yelling, and getting into conflict people trying to help
-you may have physical reactions like headaches, stomachaches, especially when reminded of those experiences
Why can't we just avoid reminders?
Talking about what has happened reduces the distress and difficult feelings that come up when we are remembering or being reminded of tough experiences. By talking about them and confronting reminders, we can put the experiences in perspective and put these events in the past.
True or False: Fear, sadness and anger are NOT symptoms of trauma.
FALSE!!!
True or False: There are different components of the TFCBT model.
True
Can your remember some of the components?
What can we do when we are triggered or experiencing an intense emotion and our thinking brain and emotional brain cannot communicate?
Talk to an adult, try to take deep breaths, try to use other coping skills
What are some things that might remind kids of traumatic losses and separations?
-memories, thoughts, physical feelings
-places, people, sounds, smells, conversations, activities