Types of Trauma
What is the definition of trauma?
Answers may vary.
An emotional response to a terrible event that overwhelms a person's ability to cope. It can lead to long-lasting effects.
What is the definition of a flashback?
Involuntarily reliving a part/memory of a traumatic event.
T/F: Experiencing trauma can create a lack of control, safety.
True.
List 3 types of abuse.
Answers may vary.
Ex. physical, emotional, financial, institutional, neglect, social, elder
Grounding skills help people stay connected with the "here and now"
Name 1 example of a grounding skill.
Answers may vary.
Ex. Body Scan, 5-4-3-2-1, Engaging 5 Senses, Breathing, Meditation, Visualization
Give 2 examples that would be considered a traumatic grief/loss event?
Answers may vary.
Ex. Losing a loved one to a natrual disaster, unexpected medical complications, war, drug overdose, miscarriage, etc.
Name 3 physical responses to trauma.
Answers may vary.
Ex: Chronic Fatigue, Nausea & Digestive Issues, Heightened Startle Response, Sleep Issues, Muscle Tension & Pain, Headaches
T/F: One of the LEAST common trauma responses is avoidance.
False.
Avoidance is one of the most common responses to trauma.
What is the definition of the word trigger?
Answers may vary.
"A person, place, sound, smell, situation that creates a strong emotional or psychological reaction."
Give the definition of Mindfulness.
Paying attention to the present moment, without judging or trying to change it.
Which one is NOT a trauma type?
Acute, Chronic, Complex, Rejection, Developmental
Rejection.
Give 2 examples that trauma can impact how somebody views themselves.
Answers may vary.
Ex: body image, self-worth
T/F: Our bodies know we've experienced trauma even if we avoid or don't remember details.
True.
Traumatic experiences trigger brain changes.
Amygdala (Fear Center), Hippocampus (Memory), Prefrontal Cortex (Rational Thought), Nervous System (Survival Mode).
How can trauma affect one's abilities to set boundaries?
Answers may vary.
Ex. lead to rigid boundaries, difficulty understanding when boundaries are crossed, avoid meaningful relationships
What are the 3 states of a Wise Mind.
Rational, Emotional, Wise (Walking the Middle Path)
Answers may vary.
Ex. Pandemic, Natural Disaster, Genocide, War, School Shootings
Myth or Fact: Trauma is only experienced if you are directly involved with an event. Explain answer.
Myth.
People can experience vicarious trauma. Someone can be indirectly exposed to an event by witnessing or hearing others' experiences. Each group gets up to 200 bonus points if they can list 2 examples of vicarious trauma.
T/F: There are only 2 types of amnesia (memory loss) due to trauma.
Hypermnesia, Hypomnesia, Retrograde Amnesia, Anterograde Amnesia, Dissociative Amnesia.
What are the 4 types of survivor styles?
(100pts for each correct answer)
Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fawn.
Untreated trauma leads people to get stuck in "survivor mode," even when we do not need to be.
What does CBT stand for?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
What is the difference between acute and chronic trauma?
Acute: single, distressing event
Chronic: prolonged, repeated exposure to distressing events
List 5 examples of trauma responses/symptoms.
Answers may vary.
Ex. Avoidance, Flashbacks, Nightmares, Sleep Difficulties, Substance Use, Emotional Suppression, Impulsivity, Dissasociation
T/F: If you experience trauma, you automatically have PTSD.
False.
Not everyone who experiences trauma is diagnosed with PTSD. The outcome depends on many factors - personal history, protective factors, coping skills, symptom presentation.
DBT can be helpful with addressing trauma. What are the 4 pillars/sections of DBT?
Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotional Regulation, Interpersonal Effectiveness
What does DBT stand for?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy