Trauma
What is trauma?
Trauma is an event that can be scary, upsetting, or overwhelming for a person.
What body part acts like the "control center" for thoughts, feelings, and memories?
The brain.
What might someone's heart do after experiencing something scary or being reminded of something scary?
It might beat really fast.
What is it called when someone keeps thinking about the trauma, even when they don't want to?
Intrusive memories.
Taking slow, deep breaths is an example of which coping skill?
Deep breathing or mac n' cheese breathing.
True or False: Two children who go through the same trauma will react the same.
False! People respond to trauma differently.
Why does our brain overreact sometimes after we experience trauma?
It wants to keep us safe.
How can trauma affect the stomach?
It might cause stomachaches, nausea, or digestive problems, even when you're not sick.
What is it called when someone tries to avoid people, places, things, and thoughts about trauma?
Avoidance.
What is self-care?
Self care can be doing an activity that you enjoy to help cope with trauma symptoms or prevent them before they start. It helps our mind stay as healthy as our body!
Name at least two events that might be traumatic for someone.
Witnessing or experiencing abuse, being in a car accident, someone dying, experiencing a natural disaster, etc.
What happens when the brain thinks we are in danger?
Our brain sets off an alarm to the rest of the body to be on the lookout for danger.
True or False: When someone experiences something traumatic, they might have symptoms in their brain AND their body.
True! The brain and body are best friends and communicate a lot, so if something affects one of them, the other is often affected.
What is it called when someone feels like the trauma is their fault?
Guilt or self-blame.
What is a coping skill?
An activity that helps you feel happy or calm when you're upset, such as playing outside, listening to music, or drawing.
True or False: Many people need help healing from trauma.
True! People that can help someone heal from trauma can be a therapist, a social worker, and someone the person loves.
The brain trying to make sense of scary thoughts and memories can lead to this at night.
Nightmares.
When alarms are going off in the body, what body part might get really tense?
Our muscles.
True or False: When someone experiences a trauma, it may be harder for them to control their emotions.
True! Trauma can mix up the feelings in our bodies and brains and make us react very quickly instead of taking a minute to control our feelings.
True or False: Asking for help when you're having a hard time is a bad coping skill.
False! It is a sign of a strong person who is aware of what they need.
Why might someone take a long time to talk about trauma?
They might feel scared, guilty, or confused. They also may worry they won't be believed or someone will get hurt.
What is it called when our brain "shuts off" to keep us safe?
Dissociation.
Name at least two ways the body might react when reminded of trauma.
Stomachaches, headaches, muscle aches and pains, digestive problems, sweating, sleep problems, heartbeat racing.
What are some symptoms people may experience after going through or talking about a trauma?
Flashbacks, guilt, shame, avoidance, anger, difficulty trusting, etc.
What symptoms can grounding be used for?
Panic, anger, dissociation, flashbacks.