Cycle 3 Session 11- Dealing with Trauma

Self-Reflection Questions 

WHO does the consequences of bad behavior affect? 

WHAT traumatic experience do you think you have encountered?

WHERE in your life do you see evidence of trauma? 

WHY should you not judge a person who has been through a traumatic experience?

WHEN your trauma brings up unhealthy thoughts, where in your body do you feel it? & what can you do?

HOW do you handle situations that remind you of something or someone traumatic?

What is trauma? An action inflicted on a person that has harmed them emotionally, physically, sexually, or in some way psychologically. This action, statement, or event has now changed this person's view of something or someone. Most people are left with thoughts and memories (sometimes nightmares) that feel present, even when they are away from the situation and safe.

What is a bad situation? A situation that is unfavorable, undesirable, or challenging. The person was not harmed but may have been uncomfortable for a period of time. The person can easily choose to move on and make the needed adjustments. However, a person can choose to dwell on the situation and turn it into an emotional wound. Which will feel similar to trauma. 

Self-Reflection Points

• When your trust has been betrayed, it causes trauma, a deeply distressing or disturbing experience, and your senses and emotions are unsure how to react because your reality is now different from what you once believed to be true.

• Sometimes, how a situation is dealt with can be the true cause of the trauma. Feeling like no one cares is the underlying feeling of the trauma

• If you constantly wonder why this happened to you, you will not consider the countless others it has also happened to.

• If it happened in the past and those memories come up, acknowledge your reality. Remember that experience is only a memory or a thought. You are in control now. You are safe.

“To not judge is to free yourself of minor criticisms.” - TM Russell