developmental trauma Flashcards
(11 cards)
What is trauma?
Trauma is the result of overwhelming stress that exceeds an individual’s capacity to cope or overwhelms their personal resources
How does trauma affect resources?
After trauma, resources become depleted, and support systems (“your village”) become crucial.
What is the relationship between brain development and social experiences?
Social experiences strongly influence brain development, and the two are interconnected.
What is attachment and why is it important?
Attachment is how we learn to understand and navigate the world. It forms the foundation for managing relationships and regulating emotions.
What are the three emotional systems in Compassion-Focused Therapy?
- Achievement
- Threat
- Soothing/Compassion
What key brain areas are affected by trauma?
- Amygdala - “Alarm system”
- Hippocampus - “Fact sorter”
- Prefrontal Cortex - “Thinking brain”
What happens to the brain under threat?
Adrenaline and cortisol are released, impairing the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, leaving the amygdala in control, putting the brain in survival mode
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What is the Window of Tolerance?
It’s the optimal zone of arousal where we can function effectively. Trauma can close this window, pushing individuals into states of hyperarousal or hypoarousal.
What’s the difference between single event trauma and early/multiple traumas?
Single event trauma is typically more contained and recoverable, while early/multiple traumas often lead to latent vulnerability, especially when interpersonal relationships are disrupted.
What are the two fundamental questions in addressing trauma?
- What is maintaining the threat system?
- How can we increase a sense of safeness?
What is the key principle of trauma-informed practice?
Basic needs must be met before healing can occur, and clinical work must account for context and life complexity, not just the individual.
