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Traumatic Stress and the Human Response

This article delves into victimology, focusing on the impact of traumatic events on victims. Explore the stages of emotional response, survival instincts triggered by the autonomic nervous system, and the lingering effects of trauma like PTSD. Learn about defensive responses, the role of the limbic system, and resources for crisis intervention and victim assistance.

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Traumatic Stress and the Human Response

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  1. Victimology What we need to know Derrelynn Perryman, MSSW, LCSW-S Trauma Focused Therapy, Training, and Consulting

  2. Objectives

  3. Trauma What is it?

  4. Fight, Flight, Freeze Events that are threatening to life or bodily integrity will produce traumatic stress in victims

  5. Human Stress Response:Stressor = Event Stress = the body’s reaction to the stressor Fight or Flight adrenaline/ brain chemicals heart rate digestive system breathing sweating-hyperventilation sensory perception tunnel vision/thinking increased strength decreased sensitivity to pain

  6. The Mind’s Response: • Stage 1: Shock, Disbelief, Denial • Stage 2: Cataclysm of Emotions anger/rage fear/terror grief/sorrow confusion/frustration guilt/self blame violation vulnerability • Stage 3:Reconstruction of Equilibrium

  7. SURVIVAL AND THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM (ANS) • Arousal, and therefore hyper arousal, is mediated by the Limbic System • This part of the brain regulates survival behaviors and emotional expression.

  8. SURVIVAL AND THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM (ANS)

  9. SURVIVAL AND THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM (ANS)

  10. SURVIVAL AND THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM (ANS) • The Limbic System responds to extreme traumatic threat, in part, by releasing hormones that tell the body to prepare for defensive action, activating the SNS

  11. SURVIVAL AND THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM (ANS) • When death may be imminent or the traumatic threat is prolonged (as with torture, rape, etc.), the Limbic system can simultaneously release hormones to activate the PNS and a state of freezing can result

  12. SURVIVAL AND THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM (ANS) • These nervous system responses - fight, flight and freeze - are survival reflexes.

  13. If perception in the Limbic System is that there is adequate strength, time and space for flight, then the body breaks into a run.

  14. If the Limbic perception is that there is not time to flee, but there is adequate strength to defend, then the body will fight.

  15. If the Limbic System perceives that there is neither time nor strength for fight or flight and death could be imminent, then the body will freeze.

  16. It is important to understand that these Limbic System/ANS responses are instinctive, not chosen by thoughtful consideration, but are reflex actions.

  17. DEFENSIVE RESPONSE IN THE ABSENCE OF THREAT • When the Limbic System of the brain activates the ANS to meet the threat of a traumatic event, it is a normal, healthy, adaptive survival response. • When the ANS continues to be chronically aroused even though the threat has passed and has been survived, that is PTSD. • The body continues to respond as though it were under threat. This is the most perplexing feature of PTSD.

  18. Within the Limbic System of the brain are two related areas that are central in memory storage: • the hippocampus • the amygdala.

  19. Children and Trauma • For in depth information on trauma and children, see • www.childtrauma.org • Dr. Bruce Perry

  20. The following examples of distress can disrupt a victim’s ability to perform mental activities requiring concentration:

  21. Victim’s Reactions To Various Crimes Derrelynn Perryman, LCSW Victim Assistance Coordinator Arlington Police Department

  22. Reactions to Specific Crimes

  23. Traumatic Grief

  24. Survivor grief is often complicated by:

  25. Domestic Violence/Battered Women Derrelynn Perryman, LCSW Victim Assistance Coordinator Arlington Police Department

  26. Media Intervention

  27. Sources of Secondary Victimization

  28. How to Help Be very cautious about giving ADVICE

  29. Some examples include:

  30. When helping, do no harm

  31. Derrelynn Perryman, LCSW Victim Assistance Coordinator Arlington Police Department

  32. Crisis Intervention

  33. Techniques:

  34. Which stand for:

  35. Review

  36. Resources TVAT OnlineTexas Department of Criminal Justice • https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/divisions/vs/tvat_online.htm Texas Victim Services Association • www.txvsa.org National Organization for Victim Assistance - NOVA • https://www.trynova.org National Center for Victims of Crime • https://victimsofcrime.org Texas Office of the Attorney General • https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/crime-victims Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) • https://www.ovc.gov

  37. Thanks, Y’all! • My Contact Info: • Derrelynn Perryman, MSSW, LCSW-S • derrelynn@gmail.com • 682-552-4799

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