1. Recognizing CRISIS REACTIONS IN TEENS & ADULTS
Keystone Crisis Intervention Team
Angela Keen Badjie
April 2, 2013

2. Normal/Everyday Stress
Cerebral Cortex
Thalamus
Amaygdala
Sensory input of potential threat to brain
Mobilizes rapid response - fight, flight or freeze; intense focus on immediate danger and/or dissociation
Higher brain centers then evaluate threat, take appropriate action or disregard
Return to baseline
Sensory
Emotional
Stimuli
Responses

3. “Traumatic events are extraordinary, not because they occur rarely, but rather because they overwhelm the ordinary human adaptations to life.”
-Judith Herman,
Trauma and Recovery, 1993
a “blow to the psyche that breaks through one’s defenses so suddenly and with such force that one cannot respond effectively.”
- Kai Erickson,
In the Wake of a Flood, 1979

4. The Crisis Reaction Thalamus Amygdala Sensory Emotional Stimuli
The normal human response to trauma follows a similar pattern called crisis reaction.
Brain Response
Physical Response - Fight, Flight or Freeze
Emotional Response
Reconstruction of Equilibrium
Sensory
Emotional
Stimuli
Responses
It occurs in all of us.

5. Confusion/Frustration
Cataclysm of Emotions
Fear/Terror
Anger/Rage
Confusion/Frustration
Shame/Humiliation
Guilt/Self Blame
Grief/Sorrow
The individual’s coping capacity and/or ability to integrate his or her emotional experience is overwhelmed
This Cataclysm may continue on after the initial crisis moment. Emotions may surface at unexpected times – sometimes called grief spasms.
Grief and Loss not only surround death – loss comes in many forms. We may show the grief of the loss through our emotions.
Teens especially will be more likely to show emotion for a number of reasons, least of which is the stage of development of their brains (not yet formed completely) and the ability to manage/control emotion and put this event in context.
Anger, Confusion, Shame – will be big.
Guilt and Shame may be more prevalent depending on their relationship with the perpetrator. This may also be true for staff who knew the perpetrator as well.

6. Potential Impact of Trauma
Increased…
Tension, anxiety, emotional unpredictability/over reaction
Use of drugs, alcohol, other addictions to manage feelings
Need for control, aggressive behavior
Risky behaviors
Avoidance, constriction, dissociation

7. Trauma Impacts Ability to comfort & protect oneself Systems of meaning
Ability to trust in others & oneself
Feeling internally connected over time to caring others
Experiencing oneself as deserving and worthwhile
Managing Feelings:
Recognize, tolerate, modulate, integrate feelings

8. Social support
and other
resilience
factors may counter
these effects

9. RECONSTRUCTION
Time begins anew for those impacted as they start life after the trauma

10. Reconstruction: How do we help this?
Temporal Anchor
Past to Present to Future frames the narrative to commit to memory
Validation of Reactions
Sense of commonality; “I am not alone.”
Reassurance that people care about them
You are cared for. You are important. You are supported.
Education
Prediction & Preparation; Coping Strategies & Resources
Affirmation: Hope
Spiritual Beliefs; Future; Resiliency
What resources have you relied upon since the event that has supported you in your recovery?
Identify individual, family and community resources which could support you in your recovery.
Identify personal strengths you can utilize to assist in your resilience and recovery.
What can you identify as steps you can take to achieve your recovery? Your family’s recovery?
What can you identify as steps you can take to help your community achieve its recovery?
What will resiliency look like for you, your family, your community?

11. RESOURCES Local Victims’ Services School Assistance Program
Keystone Crisis Intervention Team (KCIT)