Welcome to our lesson on stress and trauma
- In this section, you will learn
- What stress is
- What trauma is
- How stress and trauma impact the body
- How stress and trauma impact behaviors
WHAT are STRESS and trauma?
Responding to STRESS AND TRAUMA
- Our bodies are made to deal with stress and trauma. We respond in ways that protect us in the moment.
- We usually respond to danger in one of these ways:
FIGHT
Becomes aggressive, argues
FLIGHT
Hides, runs away
FREEZE
Shuts down, can’t move
APPEASE
Does what others want, people pleasing
STRESS, TRAUMA, AND THE BODY
Select Below
Our nervous systems help our bodies cope with stress and regulate throughout our days. When we experience trauma, it puts too much pressure on the nervous system. This can change the way we regulate in our day-to-day life.
When children experience trauma, it can change the way they think and feel. These changes may be helpful in dangerous situations. However, they can lead to problems when children react to non-dangerous events as though they were dangerous.
Stress, trauma, and Behaviors
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Children have emotions like anxiety, fear, frustration, and anger all the time.
Babies show these emotions by fussing, crying, or having tantrums. These behaviors signal to caregivers that they need help. They also signal that the emotions are too big and the baby needs help calming down.
As children get older, they learn other ways to signal for help. Some of these are helpful, like asking for help. Others are not, like stomping or yelling mean things.
Sometimes caregivers hurt children. Sometimes children watch their caregivers being hurt. These experiences can change the way children feel about their caregivers.
The child might feel angry at their caregiver. They might argue or be aggressive with their caregiver.
The child might be afraid of their caregiver. They might be tense and quiet around their caregiver.
The child might be nervous to ask their caregiver for help. They might be distant and try to do things on their own.
These behaviors may be a signal for help and a signal that they do not trust their caregiver to help.
Common Behaviors Related to Stress and Trauma
Learn how stress and trauma can lead to different behaviors by selecting one below.
Reflection
How have stress and trauma impacted you and your child?
Hooray! You've finished this lesson: Stress and Trauma
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