What is a trauma
A threatening external event
Attacks the person ’ s sense of reality .
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What trauma reactions follow
The experience feels unreal , dissociated
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What the helper needs to try to do
Be a witness ; confirm what happened , make it real
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KEY TO KNOW |
The event is sudden , the person cannot control it . Attacks the person ’ s selfagency . |
The person has a deep feeling of helplessness . |
Strengthen the person ’ s sense of autonomy , influence and self-agency . |
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The event is emotionally overwhelming .
Attacks the person ’ s emotions .
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The person feels overwhelmed and has unregulated emotions . |
Co-regulate the person ’ s emotions .
Expand the window of tolerance .
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The event is hard to understand .
Attacks the person ’ s cognition .
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The person is confused , blames him or herself , feels guilt and shame .
Memory is fragmented .
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Correct misunderstandings .
Give a correct picture of responsibility .
Create a coherent narrative .
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Loss of relational protection
Attacks the person ’ s trust in personal relations and their attachment system .
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The person becomes mistrustful .
Insecure attachment shows clinging or avoidant behaviour .
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Build a trustful relationship .
Help understand and set appropriate boundaries for himself / herself and others .
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