Coping
True or False: There can be negative coping skills
True! We call these maladaptive coping skills.
True or False: Trauma is not stressful
False! Trauma causes a stress reaction.
True or False: Trauma can impact our thinking
True! There can be many reactions to trauma
True or False: Not everyone has feelings
False! Everyone has feelings
True or False: People might have nightmares after trauma
True!
True or False: Coping skills can help lessen the effects of trauma
True! Coping skills give us avenues in which to cope with our present feelings or ground us in the moment.
True or False: Trauma can influence how we act
True! Trauma can cause people to avoid certain stimuli and more.
True or False: Thoughts impact our behaviors
True! Thoughts about a situation may change how we react to it
Name two emotions
Happy, sad, angry, anxious, excited, nervous, worried, annoyed, joyful, etc!
True or False: Trauma does not affect the body
False! Trauma can cause a our bodies to set off its "alarm system" which can cause physical symptoms.
True or False: Socializing can be a coping skill
True! Socializing can help expose you to stimuli that makes you nervous or anxious. It can also help you identify people who can support you!
True or False: People might not want to do things they usually enjoy after trauma
True! Trauma can cause people to feel worried or sad, which may result in a loss of interest.
True or False: people might have negative thoughts after trauma
True! People who have experienced trauma may think negatively more often or believe they are unable to trust others
True or False: Sometimes trauma can cause people to become more angry than usual or have outbursts
True! Trauma can cause people to feel angry frequently and have outbursts.
True or False: Trauma can cause the body to go into a Fight or Flight
True! Trauma causes a stress reaction in our body which can cause the Fight or Flight feeling.
Name three coping skill examples
Deep breathing, mindfulness, meditation, yoga, journalling, exercise, hobbies, art, music, etc!
Name a situation where your behavior may impact how you think or feel about a situation
How we chose to react to a situation may affect how we think about it in determining next steps
Name a situation where your thoughts may impact how you feel about a situation or react to a situation
Thoughts can affect how we feel about situations. If we think of a situation through a more positive/negative lens, we may have more positive/negative feelings about it.
Why might someone feel shame or guilt after experiencing a trauma?
They might wrongly feel they caused it or could have stopped it
What percentage of people have experienced trauma?
Researchers estimate that 70% of adults in the United States will experience a traumatic event in their lifetime. (This is nearly 223 million people!)
What are ways trauma impacts you?
True or False: Trauma affects everyone the same way
False! People may react differently towards traumas or stressful situations
Describe one way in which we can challenge unhelpful thoughts.
Name a situation where your feelings may impact how you think about a situation or react to a situation
Feelings can impact how we view or think about a situation, which may in turn affect how we approach or handle the situation.
Trauma can cause people to go into a "stress mode" which causes heart pounding, rapid breathing, stomach/head/muscle ache, upset stomach, sweating, trembling, and more