Stress Basics
This hormone is released when we are stressed and prepares the body for action.
What is cortisol?
Trauma can make the body feel like danger is still present, even when it isn't.
What is being stuck in survival mode?
This is the type of coping skills that focuses on calming the body rather than changing thoughts.
What is grounding techniques?
This brain chemical is strongly linked to pleasure and reward.
What part of the nervous system is responsible for "fight or flight."
What is the sympathetic nervous system?
Long-term stress can weaken this system, making people more likely to get sick.
What is the immune system?
This trauma response involves shutting down, feeling numb or disconnected.
A coping skill that involves slow breathing to signal safety to the brain.
What is deep breathing?
Over time, addiction causes the brain to need more of a substances to feel the same effect.
What is tolerance?
This part of the nervous system helps us rest, digest, and recover.
What is the parasympathetic nervous system?
Stress becomes harmful when it is this type - constant and unresolved.
What is chronic stress?
Trauma is stored not only in memory, but also in this part of the body system.
What is the nervous system?
Naming five things you can see, four things you can feel, and three you can hear is an example of what technique?
What is 5-4-3-2-1 grounding exercise?
This part of the brain area is responsible for decision-making and impulse control and is weakened by addiction.
What is the prefrontal cortex?
This nerve plays a major role in calming the body and regulating emotions.
What is the vagus nerve?
What is a lowered stress tolerance or sensitized nervous system?
Trauma can cause the brain to over activate this area, making people hyper-alert.
What is the amygdala.
This coping strategy focuses on changing thoughts to influence emotions and behavior?
What is cognitive restructuring?
Addiction hijacks the brain's natural reward system, prioritizing substances over this basic survival need.
What is connection, or safety.
Trauma can keep the nervous system stuck between these three states.
What are fight/flight and freeze.
This term describes how early stress can permanently affect brain development.
What is toxic stress?
Trauma memories are often stored without words, making them harder to talk about.
What is implicit or sensory memory?
This is the ability to return to a calm state after stress or emotional upset.
What is nervous system regulation or resilience?
Addiction shifts motivation from "wanting" pleasure to avoiding this uncomfortable state.
What is withdrawal or emotional pain?
According to the polyvagal theory, safety allows access to this social engagement system.
What is the ventral vagal state?