Trauma 101
True or False: Trauma and stress are related.
True. Stress and trauma are closely linked, with trauma often acting as an extreme, long-term, or overwhelming form of stress that shatters a person's sense of safety. While stress is a normal response to challenges, trauma occurs when stress becomes too intense or prolonged, trapping the nervous system in a "survival mode" of fight, flight, fawn or freeze.
True or False: Trauma responses in teens often manifest as intense emotional, behavioral, and physical changes.
True. Trauma responses in teens often manifest as intense emotional, behavioral, and physical changes, including extreme irritability, anger outbursts, social withdrawal, and risky behaviors like substance use, etc.
True or False: The amygdala in the brain is known as the memory center of the brain.
False: The Hippocampus is considered the memory center of the brain.
True or False: All teens react the same way when experiencing a trauma.
False: While there are many common ways that teens react to trauma (many of which are mentioned in this activity), they can all still react in unique ways---and they are all OK!
What are some creative outlets that could assist with coping with trauma?
Creative Expression: Journaling, music, creativity, photography, songwriting, theater, dance, etc.
True or False: Trauma is an event that is deeply upsetting, scary, or harmful that can cause you to fear for your life or safety.
True
What are some examples of the fight reaction to trauma?
Fight: anger, inability to concentrate, aggressive behavior, seeing only the negative, increased impulsivity, lashing out
What part of the brain is in charge of the fight, flight, freeze, and fawn responses?
A. Amygdala
B. Hippocampus
C. Prefrontal Cortex
A. Amygdala
The Amygdala is the brain’s "alarm system" or security guard—a small, almond-shaped, highly active structure deep in the brain that manages emotions, fear, and survival instincts. It acts fast, often causing emotional overreactions or "fight, flight, freeze, or fawn" responses before the rational brain (prefrontal cortex) can step in.
True or False: Teens should be able to manage their emotions about the traumatic/stressful event on their own.
False: All individuals impacted by traumatic event(s) need others to support them in processing and managing the experiences/emotions that they have. Social support is the key ingredient in thriving after a trauma.
What are some mindfulness and grounding skills that could help with coping with trauma?
Mindfulness Skills: Practicing deep breathing, meditation, or techniques like the "5-4-3-2-1" method keeps teens grounded in the present.
True or False: If a person experiences trauma in adolescence, it doesn't impact the brain.
False. Trauma changes the developing adolescent brain by triggering chronic stress, which overactivates the amygdala (fear center) and weakens the prefrontal cortex (thinking center). This shifts the brain into a "survival mode," causing emotional dysregulation, memory issues, and risky behaviors.
What are some examples of the flight reaction to trauma?
Flight: anxious, wanting to hide/run away, racing thoughts, avoidance, withdrawing from others
True or False: The prefrontal cortex isn't fully developed until around the age of 25.
True
What are some common reactions to trauma in teens?
Reactions: Feeling as if you are reliving traumaic event(s), Nighmares or other sleep disturbances or changes, Strong Emotions, Irritation, Repetitively thinking or talking about traumatic event(s), Avoiding reminders of the traumatic event(s), Withdrawing self from loved ones, Protective of family members, Isolating, Increased need for independence, Depression, Feelings of hopelessness, Shame, Guilt, Memory problems, Inability to have strong feelings such as not being able to cry or feel really happy, Troubles concentrating, Head aches, Stomache Aches, Being overly careful, Being easily startled, Etc.
False. Physical activity can help with reducing symptoms of trauma while enhancing mental resilience, self-efficacy, and sleep quality. It helps regulate the nervous system, fosters positive social connections through team sports, and promotes a sense of safety and control, making it a powerful, non-pharmacological tool for healing.
True or False: People cannot overcome trauma.
False. People can overcome trauma by building resilience through safe environments, supportive relationships, and healthy coping mechanisms like counseling, journaling, and physical activity.
What are some examples of the freeze reaction to trauma?
Freeze: dissociation, depression, suicidality, anxious, shutting down/freezing, problems with memory
True or False: Trauma changes the developing teen brain by triggering chronic stress.
True: Trauma changes the developing teen brain by triggering chronic stress, which overactivates the amygdala (fear center) and weakens the prefrontal cortex (thinking center). This shifts the brain into a "survival mode," causing emotional dysregulation, memory issues, and risky behaviors. Healing is possible through support and therapy.
What are some impacts of trauma that show up at school?
Trauma in teens profoundly impacts school performance, leading to lower GPAs, increased absenteeism, higher dropout rates, and more disciplinary actions. It manifests as cognitive, emotional, and behavioral issues—including difficulty concentrating, emotional dysregulation, and risk-taking behaviors—often stemming from a need to feel control in a chaotic world.
True or False: Connection and support reduce the impacts of trauma.
True: Connection and support reduce the impact of trauma by countering isolation, fostering a sense of safety, and building resilience. Supportive relationships and communities provide emotional validation, help regulate stress responses (like PTSD), and offer practical help, allowing survivors to rebuild trust and recover from the physiological and psychological effects of trauma
What are some examples of different events that may cause trauma?
Examples: Bullying, Community Violence, Immigration/Law Enforcement Raids, Natural Disaster, Scary Medical Procedure, Physical Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Emotional Abuse, Neglect, Discrimination, Sudden or Unexpected Loss, Separation, Abandonment, Intimate Partner Violence, etc.
What are some examples of the fawn reaction to trauma?
Fawn: People pleasing, difficulty saying no, sacrificing personal-needs values or safety to keep others happy, conflict avoidance, hyper-vigilance, codependency
True or False: Stress hormone levels are affected by trauma.
True: High levels of stress hormones are released, keeping the brain in a state of chronic danger, affecting sleep, and impacting learning.
Why do some individuals feel unsafe in situations where there isn't actually a current threat after a traumatic event?
This is due to the amygdala; something in their environment reminded them of the past trauma, which triggered the alarm system in their brain to go off, making them feel unsafe so that they can be on guard to protect themselves
True or False: Finding safety is foundational in coping with trauma.
True: Establishing physical and emotional safety is the foundational, most critical priority when coping with trauma, as it allows the nervous system to regulate and enables healing to begin. Without first securing a sense of safety, attempting to process trauma can be re-traumatizing and ineffective.