Summary: <p>Trauma-Informed Care<br> Impact of Trauma</p> <p>Instructor: Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes, PhD, LPC-MHSP<br> Podcast Host: Counselor Toolbox and Happiness Isn’t Brain Surgery<br> Objectives<br> ~ Learn About The Sequence of Trauma Reactions<br> ~ Explore Common Immediate and Delayed Experiences and Responses to Trauma (Emotional, Physical, Cognitive, Behavioral and Existential)<br> ~ Identify Specific impacts of Trauma<br> ~ Explore the Impact of Trauma on the Family<br> Delayed Traumatic Response<br> ~ There can be a delay of months or even years before symptoms appear<br> ~ Trauma symptoms can appear suddenly, even without conscious memory of the original trauma or without any overt provocation<br> ~ Clients who are experiencing a delayed trauma response can benefit if you help them to:<br> ~ Create an environment that allows acknowledgment of the trauma.<br> ~ Discuss their initial recall or first suspicion that they were having a traumatic response.<br> ~ Draw a connection between the trauma and presenting trauma-related symptoms.<br> ~ Explore their support systems and fortify them as needed.<br> ~ Identify their triggers.<br> ~ Develop strategies to navigate and manage symptoms and triggers.<br> Biology of Trauma<br> ~ Changes in limbic system functioning.<br> ~ Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis activity changes with variable cortisol levels.<br> ~ Neurotransmitter-related dysregulation of arousal and endogenous opioid systems.</p> <p>Emotional Reactions to Trauma<br> ~ Immediate<br> ~ Numbness and detachment<br> ~ Anxiety/fear/ helplessness<br> ~ Guilt (including survivor guilt)<br> ~ Exhilaration as a result of surviving<br> ~ Anger<br> ~ Sadness<br> ~ Feeling unreal; depersonalization<br> ~ Disorientation<br> ~ Feeling out of control<br> ~ Denial<br> ~ Constriction of feelings<br> ~ Feeling overwhelmed<br> Cognitive Reactions to Trauma<br> ~ Immediate<br> ~ Difficulty concentrating<br> ~ Rumination or racing thoughts<br> ~ Distortion of time and space<br> ~ Memory problems<br> ~ Strong identification with victims<br> Behavioral Reactions to Trauma<br> ~ Immediate<br> ~ Startled reaction<br> ~ Restlessness<br> ~ Sleep and appetite disturbances<br> ~ Difficulty expressing oneself<br> ~ Argumentative behavior<br> ~ Increased use of alcohol, drugs, and tobacco<br> ~ Withdrawal and apathy<br> ~ Avoidant behaviors<br> Specific Impacts of Trauma<br> ~ Attachment and Relationships<br> ~ Trauma can impacts people’s ability to develop a strong healthy attachment to caregivers.<br> ~ People who do not have healthy attachments and relationships have been shown to<br> ~ be more vulnerable to stress<br> ~ have trouble controlling and expressing emotions<br> ~ may react violently or inappropriately to situations.</p> <p>Specific Impacts of Trauma<br> ~ Physical Health: Body and Brain<br> ~ When a child grows up afraid or under constant or extreme stress, the immune system and body’s stress response systems may not develop normally. Later on, when the child or adult is exposed to even ordinary levels of stress, these systems may automatically respond as if the individual is under extreme stress.<br> ~ Stress in an environment can impair the development of the brain and nervous system.<br> ~ An absence of mental stimulation in neglectful environments may limit the brain from developing to its full potential.</p> <p>Specific Impacts of Trauma<br> ~ Physical Health: Body and Brain<br> ~ People with trauma histories may develop chronic or recurrent physical complaints, such as headaches or stomachaches.<br> ~ Trauma survivors may suffer from body dysregulation, meaning they over-respond or underrespond to sensory stimuli. For example, they may be hypersensitive to sounds, smells, touch or light, or they may suffer from anesthesia and analgesia. As a result they may injure themselves without feeling pain, or, ma</p>
