Trauma-Informed Lens Podcast

Episode 31: Chaos, Hyperarousal, & Trauma

Posted on April 17, 2018

Last episode we discussed on reaction to stress and trauma when we examined rigidity. In this episode, Matt, Curt, and Jerry explore the other extreme responses include chaos and the related fight or flight response. While the rigid responses often help people in need fade into the background, these responses pull our attention and can elicit a fear-based reaction from us due to the danger it threatens us and others.

Discussion questions:

• When have you seen a chaotic response, fight response, and flight response and what did these reactions look like?
• Why do you think the people you described in the first question have these reactions?
• Are there changes or adjustments you can make to your programming that might help increase safety and reduce the chances of these reactions?