The Brain
True or False: The brain can be affected when someone experiences any type of trauma.
True
What does ACEs stand for?
Adverse Childhood Experience(s)
What does resilience mean?
The ability to overcome a challenge or difficult situation
What does coping mean?
conscious or unconscious strategies used to reduce unpleasant emotions
What are some examples of trauma?
Physical abuse, substance abuse, neglect, divorce, etc.
What are the three parts of the brain that we discussed?
1. Prefrontal cortex
2. The amygdala
3. Mirror neurons
What is the ACEs test?
ACEs, or Adverse Childhood Experiences are a commonality in trauma, that begins in early childhood
True or false: people do not influence our environment
False: People influence our environment, often, we have no control over our environments
Ex. Resilience depends on access to resources, which varies greatly depending on social, economic, and political factors (which are controlled by people)
What are three examples of coping mechanisms?
Reading a book, working out, cooking, playing an instrument, etc.
True or false: Trauma can only happen to children.
False: it can happen to children, adults and even the elderly
True or False: The prefrontal cortex does not fully develop until the age of 25
True
What are the three categories that are part of the ACEs test?
1. Abuse: physical, emotional, or sexual
2. Neglect: Physical or emotional
3. Household dysfunction: Mental illness, divorce, substance abuse, etc.
True or false: secondary stress is not important and does not affect children
False: Secondary stress is equally as damaging and stressful
>family environments rarely change without intervention
What does an invisible backpack mean? Why is it important?
▹Not knowing what is going on in someone’s life, you cannot make assumptions
Does COVID-19 affect ACEs?
Yes, COVID-19 and the reaction that the world has had towards it has been found to amplify ACEs, falling under the ACE of household dysfunction.
What are mirror neurons?
Mirror neurons allow us to learn through imitation and are important for our social life as they teach us about relationships.
An ACEs test can be done by who?
Therapist or school counselor.
What are some examples of collective trauma?
▹Collective Trauma: traumatic event shared by a group of people
ex. protests of Summer 2020, Immigrant crisis, school shooting in Texas
How do we repack our invisible backpacks with positive experiences?
▹We can repack the invisible backpacks with positive experiences: developing healthy relationships, developing a sense of safety, and tools to manage uncomfortable emotions (mindfulness practices).
Prefrontal Cortex, Mirror neurons, or amygdala?
You are walking home from school and you see an alligator nearby.
▹What part of the brain are you using?
▹How do you know?
AMYGDALA!
Your fight, flight, freeze response will kick in!
Prefrontal Cortex, Mirror neurons, or amygdala?
You hear a loud sound that wakes you up in the middle of the night.
▹What part of the brain are you using?
▹How do you know?
AMYGDALA!
Your fight, flight, freeze response will kick in!
Why is an ACEs test important?
▹To prevent risky behaviors
▹Understand levels of trauma
▹Early intervention programs
What is collective resiliency and why is it important?
It is when the community comes together in time of high stress and rebounds together.
It's important because it shows how people can come together despite certain circumstances/situations.
What is a safety plan and why it is important?
A plan that helps you navigate trauma and the mental health challenges that may arise because of it.
It is important because it is specific to you and can change depending on your interests
Prefrontal Cortex, Mirror neurons, or amygdala?
You are planning a summer vacation.
▹What part of the brain are you using?
▹How do you know?
Prefrontal Cortex
Controls:
▹Thinking
▹Decision making
▹Planning