Trauma
What is trauma?
Any scary event or situation that made someone feel uncomfortable and results in trauma symptoms (different ways of thinking, feeling, or behaving)
How do kids feel after experiencing trauma?
Can our brain affect how we physically feel?
Yes, when our brain activates our survival responses (flight, fight, or freeze), our heart may speed up or slow down, our belly might ache or feel like there are butterflies/jitters in there, we might get sweaty (hot) or shiver (cold), or our head might ache. Sometimes our bodies can also tense up.
What is home invasion?
When someone illegally enters a home without permission or by using force. It is considered an attempted home invasion when someone tries to enter but is not able to.
What is a fun fact about you?
:)
What are 3 trauma responses that can occur for survival?
Fight, Flight, or Freeze
Are there any right or wrong ways to feel after trauma?
No, every person reacts to trauma in their own way. Everyone's brain wants to help keep them safe afterward, and this can look different ways for different people.
Why does our brain remember trauma memories?
To try and keep us safe.
Do most attempts at entering a home illegally occur when someone is home or when the house is empty?
Most (75%) of home invasions occur when no one is home.
What is something you like about yourself?
Could include your personality, appearance, talents, ect.
True or False: Avoiding trauma (not talking about it or pretending it did not happen) helps me in the long run.
False!
Symptoms can get worse if they are not addressed in therapy (just like wounds/injuries can get worse if they are not treated)
What kind of thoughts might children have after trauma?
They might have flashbacks of what happened in their mind, think about the scary event when they don't want to, or have worries about another bad thing happening in the future.
True or False: Our brains can recover/'heal" from trauma.
True!
"Neuroplasticity" means our brains can form new pathways and strengthen the ways of thinking we use the most, such as using coping skills to calm down.
Have home invasions been getting more or less common over time?
These are getting less common. Trends show that the number of home invasions have been declining over the past few decades.
Why might this be?
It could be due to more surveillance technologies like doorbell cameras, ect.
Who are some people that love you?
<3
What is a trauma trigger?
A reminder that our brain connects to the trauma experience (can include sounds, smells, certain topics, or visual reminders- snake and stick example)
What are different ways kids may behave after trauma?
They might get irritated faster, isolate or want to be alone, have decreased energy, not be able to pay attention, or have changes in eating or going to the bathroom.
True or False: The brain is fully developed at age 18.
False!
The brain continues developing until around age 25!
What percentage of home invasions result in physical injury?
Data from 2003-2007, shows that 7.2% of home invasions result in physical injury.
What is something your friends or family would say about you?
These people probably know you really well!
Name a specific trauma trigger for if someone experienced the trauma of home invasion
Loud noises, the door being unlocked, time of day (nightime), ect.
What helps reduce the negative impact from trauma?
Lots of things! Learning how to relax and calm down when upset, talking about what happened, sharing thoughts and feelings with a loved one, going to therapy, ect.
True or False: Trauma changes the way our brain functions.
True!
Examples: becoming hypervigilant, experiencing trauma triggers, and "emotion brain" can take control of our "thinking" brain
What are reasons someone may try to enter a home illegally?
There are lots of reasons, but some might include wanting to steal things, having mental health problems, using substances, or being disoriented or confused.
No matter the reason, it is important to do everything possible to stay safe. Safety strategies include trying to leave the house if someone enters, if you cannot leave, hide, call 911, and use means of protection if accessible.
What do you want to get out of therapy?
You tell me!