BRAIN
What part of the body is responsible for memory and thinking?
What is the brain
What physical signs might show that someone is anxious or stressed?
Sweating, fast heartbeat, stomachache, shaking
What’s a belief someone might form after experiencing trauma?
“No one can be trusted” or “It’s all my fault”
What part of your body controls hormones and stress chemicals?
The brain and the nervous system
What’s one way someone might act when they don’t feel safe?
Yelling, shutting down, avoiding others
True or False: Trauma can make it hard to focus or think clearly.
True
How can trauma “live” in the body even after the danger is gone?
The body holds tension, pain, or triggers
True or False: Beliefs after trauma are always accurate.
False
What is cortisol and how does it relate to trauma?
It's the stress hormone; trauma can cause it to spike
True or False: Trauma can cause someone to act out without knowing why.
True
Name one brain-related symptom of trauma.
Forgetfulness, zoning out, poor focus
What’s a body-based way to calm down?
Deep breathing, grounding, stretching, walking
How might trauma change the way someone sees themselves?
They might feel worthless or unlovable
How can trauma affect your appetite?
Eating too much or too little
What is a “trigger” in trauma?
A reminder that causes a trauma reaction
What does it mean when your brain goes into "fight, flight, or freeze"?
"fight, flight, or freeze"? It’s reacting to perceived danger
What does it mean to be “hypervigilant”?
Always on edge, scanning for danger
What belief might stop someone from asking for help?
“No one will understand” or “I’ll be judged”
What does “dysregulated biology” mean?
Body systems are out of balance (sleep, hunger, energy)
What’s one behavior that might look like “defiance” but is trauma-based?
Refusing to talk, walking out, talking back
What part of the brain takes over in a crisis and shuts down logic?
The amygdala (“survival brain”)
How can trauma affect sleep?
Trouble falling or staying asleep, nightmares
How can therapy help with negative trauma-based beliefs?
Helps challenge and replace harmful beliefs
Name two biological effects trauma can have on the body.
Headaches, stomach pain, fatigue, immune issues
How can understanding trauma change how we respond to someone's behavior?
We can be more patient and supportive instead of judging