The Brain
Which part of the brain is responsible for logic, reasoning, and impulse control?
Prefrontal cortex (PFC)
What is the difference between "big T" and "little t" traumas?
Big T trauma involves sudden, life-threatening events while little t trauma refers to less extreme but chronic stressors that accumulate.
Both can cause significant, valid trauma responses, with little t events often being overlooked while being able to cause cumulative harm similar to Big T experiences over time.
What are the four ways our nervous system reacts to potentially dangerous events?
Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fawn
What does coping mean?
Conscious or unconscious strategies used to reduce unpleasant emotions
True or False: People experience trauma the same way
False: Trauma is a complex and deeply personal experience
Which part of the brain acts as an alarm system and sends distress signals (Fight, Flight, Freeze) to other parts of your brain?
The amygdala
Big T or little t: Getting bullied in school, loss of a pet, losing a friend group
Little t
Which of the following is not a result of the automatic nervous system?
Fight, Flight, Freeze, FawnFawn
What do we call the brain's natural ability to rewire and form new connections?
Neuroplasticity
True or False: Chronic stress and trauma help to strengthen the immune system and resilience over time
False: The ongoing release of stress hormones suppresses immune function and makes individuals more susceptible to illness. This is part of why self care is important.
Which part of the brain is responsible for processing memories, and is particularly vulnerable to trauma?
The hippocampus
True or False: A big T event is more disruptive than any number of little t events
False: In fact, there is now evidence that repeated exposure to little t trauma can cause more emotional harm than exposure to one big T traumatic event.
Which part of the nervous system is most impacted by repeated trauma experiences?
Automatic nervous system: The ANS controls involuntary bodily functions (heart rate, respiration, digestions, etc.) thus those who have experiences trauma may exhibit heightened arousal (sympathetic response) or extreme shutdown/dissociation (parasympathetic response) in response to triggers (known or unknown)
True or False: Connection is one of the most powerful ways to heal trauma
True: The brain is wired for attachment, and having secure relationships helps regulate the nervous system. These relationships also stimulate the release of oxytocin
Which hormone interferes with our ability to consolidate memory, regulate emotion, and differentiate between past and present experiences?
Cortisol
Which part of the brain acts as a sensory relay station and sends information it receives to where it thinks it needs to go?
The Thalamus
Big T or little t: Being in a car crash, witnessing violence in the home, childhood neglect
Big T
True or False: My brother and I experienced the same traumatic event. It doesn’t bother him the way it bothers me. I must be making a big deal out of nothing.
False: The important thing to remember about traumatic events is that we all experience them in different ways. For some it changes the way they feel in their body, for others, it changes the way they think about themselves, the world, or the people around them.
How can somatic therapy techniques support those impacted by trauma?
Somatic therapy supports trauma work by addressing the body's physical response to trauma through techniques like breathwork, gentle movement, and body awareness to regulate the nervous system and build self-soothing skills
True or False: Trauma must be treated early on or else become permanent and unchangeable
False: Early intervention is ideal, however recovery is still possible even years to decades later after a traumatic experience. Consistent therapy, supportive relationships, and healthy lifestyle habits promote ongoing neuroplasticity and resilience
This brain pathway explains why your body can react before you have time to think during trauma.
What is the low road?
True or False: Big T traumas and little t traumas are equally important to understand and process when it comes to treatment.
True: Big T traumas are more dangerous in the moment, though when it comes to recovery we need to focus on all factors that influence how our nervous system interprets the world.
True or False: Stopping trauma responses is a matter of willpower
FALSE: so false, so so false. Traumatic experiences start at the sensory level and then move up several brain structures (diencephalon, limbic system, etc.) before being able to be processed at the PFC. Your body will experience and react to potential danger before your PFC can send an "all clear" signal; and since the PFC shuts down during these responses, exercises to strengthen the PFC can help reduce the time it takes to get the "all clear" signal.
How does mindfulness promote neuroplasticity in a nervous system impacted by trauma?
Mindfulness calms the amygdala, strengthens the PFC, separates self from feelings/experience, and uses intention to build new associations/neutral pathways
What is a safety plan and why it is important?
A plan that helps you navigate trauma and the mental health challenges that may arise because of it.
It is important because it is specific to you and can change depending on your needs, as well as let your supports know what those needs are.