Building a Trauma Informed System of Care Toolkit

Building a Trauma Informed System of Care Tra ma I formed Care Train the Trainer

Rev. 5/2019

Give an Example

Effects of Trauma

∗ The effect of trauma on an individual can be conceptualized as a normal response to an abnormal situation. ∗ We don’t see things as they are. We see things as we are.

∗ My story: ∗ Asking my mother “When I was little why did our neighborhood have a block party for a week or two?” ∗ Her answer – “It was as a result of Hurricane Donna which devastated the area and

∗ Can you think of a time in your life, or someone you know, where 2 people experienced the same event and one was traumatized by it while the other was not?

we had to share food and water and were without electricity for more than a week.”

Physical Reactions to Trauma

Emotional Reactions to Trauma

∗ Shock and disbelief ∗ Fear and/or anxiety ∗ Grief, disorientation, denial ∗ Hyper-alertness or hypervigilance

These are NORMAL reactions to ABNORMAL events. Instead of symptoms – think ADAPTATIONS ∗ Aches and pains like headaches, backaches, stomach aches ∗ Sudden sweating and/or heart palpitations (fluttering)

∗ Changes in sleep patterns, appetite ∗ Constipation or diarrhea ∗ Easily startled by noises or unexpected touch ∗ More susceptible to colds and illnesses ∗ Increased use of alcohol or drugs and/or overeating

∗ Irritability, restlessness, outbursts of anger or rage ∗ Emotional swings -- like crying and then laughing ∗ Worrying or ruminating – intrusive thoughts of the trauma ∗ Nightmares ∗ Flashbacks – feeling like the trauma is happening now ∗ Feelings of helplessness, panic, feeling out of control ∗ Increased need to control everyday experiences ∗ Minimizing the experience ∗ Attempts to avoid anything associated with trauma

Emotional Reactions to Trauma

Brain Development

∗ Tendency to isolate ∗ Feelings of detachment

∗ Concern over burdening others with problems ∗ Emotional numbing or restricted range of feelings

This information provides conclusive science to support the effects of trauma on brain development.

It is important to communicate to participants how trauma experienced as a young child, without having a nurturing caregiver, can leave a lasting impact on brain development

∗ Difficulty trusting and/or feelings of betrayal ∗ Difficulty concentrating or remembering ∗ Shame ∗ Feelings of self-blame and/or survivor guilt ∗ Diminished interest in everyday activities or depression ∗ Unpleasant past memories resurfacing ∗ Loss of a sense of order or fairness in the world; expectation of doom and fear of the future

and derail the learning capabilities of that child.

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