DA BASICS
True or False: Trauma cannot be passed down through generations.
FALSE. Trauma can be passed generationally in families, cultures, and societies. Emotional and psychological wounds live on, and DNA can even be impacted.
True or False: The brain itself changes after trauma - with certain functions increasing or decreasing, & structures even changing in physical size.
TRUE
TRUE OR FALSE: A person that went through a traumatic event or events realizes that they are safe when the traumatic event(s) are over.
FALSE. Trauma survivors have a "living legacy" of responses and symptoms because the brain and body respond as if they are still in danger. The hippocampus shrinks and makes it difficult to differentiate between the past and present, while the amygdala is more likely to identify things as threats.
TRUE OR FALSE: Trauma and stress can narrow your window of tolerance overall, but your window of tolerance can also change daily.
TRUE OR FALSE: More ACEs = greater risk for negative outcomes in adulthood.
TRUE.
True or False: Charlie doesn't have a PTSD or CPTSD diagnosis, so he can't be suffering from traumatic stress.
FALSE.
Charlie's symptoms may not meet all of the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis, but he may still be suffering from trauma. Additionally, many people with complex or childhood trauma never receive a PTSD diagnosis.
This part of the brain is wired for survival and acts as an alarm or "smoke detector" when a threat is perceived...
AMYGDALA
The symptoms of trauma represent ways that your body and mind adapted to the traumatic circumstances in order to survive. How is HYPERVIGILANCE a symptom of survival?
If you are hypervigilant, you always alert and anticipating danger so that you are ready to act and protect yourself.
It is your "optimal arousal zone" where you are able to tolerate different emotions, handle stress effectively, feel and think simultaneously, feel open and curious, and feel safe. You are aware of boundaries (yours & others) and you are able to react in ways that "fit" the situations you encounter.
What is dissociation?
Dissociation is a process in which a person disconnects from their thoughts, feelings, memories, behaviors, physical sensations, or sense of identity.
What is SECONDARY or VICARIOUS trauma?
Trauma that results when a person witnesses or hears about the firsthand trauma experience of another person.
When the primitive brain percieves a threat and releases stress hormones, you go into survival mode. What are the four "F" trauma responses that may be activated?
FIGHT, FLIGHT, FREEZE, OR FAWN (or maybe even FLOP)
The body remembers trauma. SOMATIC flashbacks are things that survivors of all forms of trauma likely experience. What are somatic flashbacks?
A somatic flashback is the re-experiencing of past trauma through physical symptoms or body sensations (racing heart, headache, dizziness, sweating, muscle tension, racing heart, etc.)
Somatic flashbacks happen even if the mind is not aware of it (ie: you're not remembering or envisioning the trauma when these flashbacks happen)
Is it more important to know that you are in a triggered state, or more important to know what your triggers are? Explain why.
Knowing your triggers can be helpful, but recognizing that you are triggered or dysregulated is more important because it allows you to practice self-acceptance and respond to your stress with regulating techniques - ultimately leading to deeper healing.
Liam experienced a traumatic event when he was 26 - he discovered his best friend's body after he had overdosed on heroine. Liam was in a lot of distress for a month or two, but after that, things got much better.
Please name two potential PROTECTIVE FACTORS that may have helped Liam to not develop PTSD or prolonged traumatic stress.
supportive family, supportive friends, supportive community, a stable home, basic needs of food/shelter/healthcare met, positive relationships, access to mental health services, early intervention for treatment, genetics, positive worldview, etc.
Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) has many of the same symptoms as classic PTSD, but also includes significant problems in these three areas: 1. emotion regulation, 2. identity/self-image, and 3. ____________.
relationships/interpersonal issues
Describe two changes that may happen with the "smart brain"/prefrontal cortex after trauma.
decreased ability to think rationally or perform executive functions (like reasoning, planning, problem solving, etc.), decreased ability to regulate emotions, reduced physical volume
Name FOUR ways you might behave differently after you've experienced trauma.
What is NERVOUS SYSTEM HYGIENE and why is it important?
NSH is taking care of your nervous system to keep it regulated (calm, alert, grounded, connected).
It's important for trauma recovery because you need to feel present and safe in your own body to be able to heal. NSH will put you in a better place for processing trauma, build resilience to stress by keeping you in your window of tolerance, and prevent burnout, improve emotional control, relationships, etc.
Tell us about the Vagus Nerve and why it's important for trauma recovery.
-longest cranial nerve in body
-starts in brainstem and branches out to many body systems
-controls the parasympathetic nervous system, which counteracts fight/flight (hyperarousal)
-when dysregulated, it can lead to physical symptoms that trauma survivors often experience, like difficulty breathing, digestive issues, heart rate irregularities
-it can be stimulated through breathwork, mindfulness, and VNS to treat trauma symptoms.
An event may be traumatic to one person, but not to another. Explain why this is.
-Because trauma is not just an event - it's an experience of physical sensations and psychological disruptions. How a brain assigns meaning to a memory is unique with each person.
-There may be a difference in protective factors and risk factors between the two people, as well as differences in personality, world view, etc.
The autonomic nervous system has two branches that have opposite roles. Ideally, they operate in balance. But when one experiences trauma - it's common for one branch to take over.
Identify the names and general function of the two autonomic nervous system branches.
SYMPATHETIC: prepares the body for action by initiating the fight-or-flight, increasing heart rate and blood flow to muscles.
PARASYMPATHETIC: promotes relaxation and recovery by slowing the heart rate and conserving energy. It's responsible for the body's "rest and digest" function.
Name FIVE ways your emotions or sense of self might change after trauma.
When you are outside of your Window of Tolerance, there are two other states that you might enter. Name each one, as well as two symptoms you might experience in each state.
HYPERarousal: tension, shaking, emotional reactivity, defensiveness, racing thoughts, intrusive imagery, emotional overwhelm, feeling unsafe, obsessive/cyclical thoughts, impulsivity, anger/rage, hypervigilance, emotional outbursts, etc.
HYPOarousal: absence of sensation, low to no energy, reduced physical movement, feeling "not there," thinking is difficult, numbing or absence of emotions, passive, flat affect, disconnected, passive, ashamed, memory loss. etc.
PTSD and C-PTSD share many of the same symptoms. However, C-PTSD also includes significant issues in which three areas?
Emotional Regulation
Self-Image/Self-Worth/Identity
Interpersonal Relationships