Trauma

Question 1

What are the 3 E’s of trauma?

Answer 1

1. Events (single or repeated)
2. Experience of events (how it is interpreted, physical/psychological impact)
3. Effects (immediate or delayed, short or long term)

Question 2

T/F? The provider determines if an event was traumatic.

Answer 2

False.

Question 3

What is trauma informed care?

Answer 3

A clinical framework that includes trauma-specific interventions and key trauma principles. Key question is- what happened to you, not what is wrong with you?

Question 4

4 Key assumptions of trauma informed care

Answer 4

1. Realization- Basic understanding of how trauma impacts individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
2. Recognize- S&S of trauma. Screen and assess.
3. Respond- Apply principles to all areas of functioning
4. Resist Re-traumatizing- Recognize how organizational practices may be a trigger (restraints, seclusion, etc.)

Question 5

What are the 6 key principles to the trauma-informed approach?

Answer 5

1. Safety- physical & psychological
2. Trustworthiness & transparency
3. Peer support (utilize lived experience to promote recovery)
4. Collaboration & mutuality (level power balance btw patient & provider, and among staff. Everyone has a role to play)
5. Empowerment, voice, & choice (recognize & build on strengths, shared decision making)
6. Cultural, historical, and gender issues

Question 6

Area of the brain responsible for fight-flight-freeze

Answer 6

Amygdala
Part of the limbic system (emotional brain) that mediates crisis response and emotions

Question 7

How do repeated trauma exposures impact the amygdala?

Answer 7

Exaggerated response- amygdala kept on

Question 8

Area of the brain that is responsible for forming new memories and inhibiting the amygdala

Answer 8

Hippocampus

Question 9

How does the hippocampus respond to trauma and how is it clinically relevant?

Answer 9

Decrease in volume. Area of the brain responsible for keeping the amygdala in check and forming new memories.

Question 10

During high states of arousal or stress the amygdala and hippocampal networks become ______________. As a result ______________ is impaired.

Answer 10

During high states of arousal or stress the amygdala and hippocampal networks become dissociated. As a result ______________ is impaired.

Question 11

Nightmares and nightsweats result from dysregulation in the ___________ system

Answer 11

Limbic system

particularly amygdala & hypothalmus

Question 12

How is the anterior cigulate cortex impacted by PTSD and it’s clinical relevance?

Answer 12

Decrease in volume Gatekeeper of emotions- decides what emotional info to pay attention to from limbic system.

Question 13

How does trauma impact the pre-frontal cortex?

Answer 13

Inhibits activity in PFC leading to problems with executive function