Brain me this
This part of the brain is primarily responsible for processing emotions such as fear and pleasure.
What is the amygdala?
This stage of the crisis cycle is characterized by heightened anxiety and agitation, where individuals may begin to show signs of distress or discomfort.
What is the "Escalation" stage?
This groundbreaking study, conducted by the CDC and Kaiser Permanente in the 1990s, first linked adverse childhood experiences to long-term health and well-being outcomes.
What is the ACE Study?
This Pixar film from 2015 personifies emotions inside the head of a young girl, Riley, as she deals with the trauma of moving to a new city, showing how her feelings of joy, sadness, and fear interact.
What is Inside Out?
This stress hormone, released during the "fight or flight" response, is often elevated in people with PTSD, contributing to hypervigilance and anxiety.
What is cortisol?
This brain region is crucial for executive functions such as decision-making, planning, and moderating social behavior.
What is the prefrontal cortex?
During this stage of the crisis cycle, an individual may act out or engage in potentially harmful behavior, requiring immediate intervention to ensure safety.
ACEs include various forms of abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction, but this category specifically covers parental separation or divorce.
What is family/household instability?
In this 1994 Disney classic, the character Simba experiences deep trauma after witnessing the death of his father, Mufasa, which causes him to run away from his responsibilities as king.
What is the Lion King
The hallmark symptom of PTSD, where individuals relive traumatic experiences in the form of vivid, involuntary memories or nightmares, is called this.
What is a Flashback?
This structure in the brain plays a key role in forming new memories and spatial navigation.
What is the hippocampus?
At this stage, it's important to use de-escalation techniques such as active listening and calm, reassuring language to reduce tension and regain control.
What is the "De-Escalation" stage?
Research shows that individuals with an ACE score of 4 or higher are at significantly higher risk for developing this chronic, potentially life-threatening health condition, often linked to stress and inflammation.
What is heart disease?
This animated Disney film from 2013 shows how the character Elsa struggles with the trauma of suppressing her ice powers and the fear of harming those around her.
What is Frozen?
This condition, characterized by extreme fatigue, detachment, and emotional numbness, can occur after long-term exposure to trauma, particularly in first responders and healthcare workers.
What is compassion fatigue (or secondary traumatic stress)?
This side of the brain is generally associated with creative tasks such as artistic expression, music, and spatial abilities.
What is the right side of the brain?
This stage follows the crisis and is characterized by a return to normalcy where individuals begin to calm down and process the situation.
What is the "Recovery" stage?
This psychological phenomenon explains why higher ACE scores can result in maladaptive coping strategies, such as substance abuse or violence, as individuals attempt to manage overwhelming emotions.
What is toxic stress?
This Marvel superhero, portrayed by Chadwick Boseman, faces the generational trauma of colonization, as well as personal loss, in a narrative that blends action with deep cultural commentary.
What is Black Panther?
This brain region, crucial for memory and learning, can shrink in size as a result of prolonged exposure to trauma and is often found to be smaller in individuals with PTSD.
What is the hippocampus?
Damage to this brain region can lead to difficulties with emotional regulation and social interactions, as well as impaired decision-making.
What is the prefrontal cortex?
In this stage, it’s essential to debrief the situation, assess what triggered the crisis, and implement strategies to prevent future occurrences.
What is the "Post-Crisis" stage?
In the ACE framework, experiencing emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, along with witnessing violence in the home, fall under this major ACE category.
What is abuse and household dysfunction?
This award-winning television series, featuring Elisabeth Moss, delves into themes of trauma, control, and survival in a dystopian society where women are forced into reproductive servitude.
What is The Handmaid's Tale?
In order for an event to be classified as traumatic, it must involve three key elements: