What is trauma?
What is Trauma?
A deeply distressing or disturbing experience.
Healing from trauma is impossible?
False
Name three self-soothing exercises.
Listening to soothing music, close your eyes and feel your breath , take a warm bath, light a candle, Star gaze, Walk in nature, get a massage, etc.
What is the purpose of avoidant and defensive behaviors?
To avoid dealing with unpleasant/uncomfortable feelings or situations.
Name three examples of common thinking errors or cognitive distortions.
Emotional reasoning, overgeneralization, catastrophizing, mind reading
What are some ways to heal from trauma?
Go to therapy, talk to a trusted family member or friend, utilize coping skills, practice good self-care, etc.
Abusing substances makes PTSD symptoms worse.
True: Substances can make you feel more depressed, suicidal, and less stable.
Why are coping skills important to our well being?
Create a sense of calmness, confidence, inner peace, and helps to reduce stress.
Name at least three types of avoidant and defensive behaviors.
Worrying and ruminating, Repression, Regression, Idealization, Daydreaming, Intellectualization, Projection, Dissociation
"I always fail when I try new things" is an example of what type of thinking error?
All-or-nothing thinking or black and white thinking
People who develop ______ remain in a state of psychological shock.
PTSD
Abusing substances prevents you from knowing your true self.
True: To heal from trauma, you need to become more aware of who you really are without substances.
What is grounding and how is it helpful in dealing with trauma?
A therapeutic techniques that involves reconnecting with the earth to promote healing.
What is idealization? Give an example
Exaggerating the positive traits of your abuser to avoid facing your hurt or avoid taking action to help yourself.
i.e. "He's really a good guy and spoils me. He only gets like that when he drinks".
"I just know that I'm probably going to relapse again when I get out of here" is an example of what type of thinking error?
Catastrophizing
How long does it take to heal from trauma?
It differs for everyone! There is no right or wrong way to heal and everyones experience is different.
You can heal from childhood trauma as an adult.
True
What should you do if you feel yourself becoming triggered?
Use a HEALTHY coping skill
Avoidance is a __________.
Coping mechanism
"Everyone always lets me down. I have nobody" is an example of what type of thinking error?
Overgeneralization.
What are the four symptom clusters of PTSD?
Intrusion symptoms, Avoidance, Negative alterations in cognition and mood, and Arousal.
Using your five senses is a way to help regulate your stress response.
True: Using your 5 senses helps you more accurately sense whether or not you need to use your survival instincts of fight, flight, or freeze.
What makes a coping skill unhealthy?
It may be helpful in the moment, but it's harmful and the negative emotion/feeling will return.
Name three ways to reduce avoidant behavior.
1)Reduce self-medication (substance use)
2)Participate in activities that increase your positive emotions and resilience
3)Challenge your limiting beliefs
Why is changing or challenging your thoughts considered a coping skill?
Changing or challenging our thoughts can help change our feelings because we are thinking more positive thoughts.