FOR 2025/2026 TESTS|MOST COMMON
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECTLY VERIFIED ANSWERS
(LATEST QUIZZES) |ALREADY A+
GRADED|GUARANTEED PASS
Dissociative disorders - -repeated discontinuity or disruption of the normal integration of
consciousness, memory, identity, emotion, perception, body representation, motor control, and
behavior
-characterized by dissociative symptoms that occur as an adaptive defense response to trauma
-may impede various elements of psychological functioning, such as consciousness, memory,
emotion, identity, & motor control
-Stigma may hinder tx
• myths about the existence & validity of these disorders
-primary considerations: Safety & social problems
crucial to managing dissociative responses: - -Trauma-informed care
-Dissociation-specific psychotherapy
Somatic symptoms or psychophysiological disorders - -challenging to dx & treat
-characterized by physical symptoms or dysfunction linked to psychological factors or emotional
stress
-Psychotherapies such as CBT & stress management
• important to reduce symptom burden & promote health
How the nervous system responds to trauma - Flee
Fight
Freeze
,Collapse
Freeze vs Shutdown - Freeze
-HYPERaroused
-muscles tense & full of energy, but can't release it
-similar levels of sympathetic & parasympathetic activation
-Increased HR/BP
-client might say, "I feel stuck," "I can't move," or "I feel like I am encased in cement."
-Eyes widen
-body is ready to return to fight/flight as soon as the threat passes
Shutdown
-HYPOaroused
-muscles flaccid & loose
-parasympathic nervous system is dominant
-Decreased HR/BP/temp
-client may not be able to speak at all
-Blank stare
-Sensory info stops at the thalamus. It doesn't reach the cortex (so it's not integrated).
• client less aware of their internal & external world.
-Endorphins release to numb pain.
• Dynorphins release, can make the client feel detached from their body.
-Can result in fainting
How trauma impacts the 4 different types of memory: Semantic memory - -How Trauma
Can Affect It
• prevent info (like words, images, sounds, etc.) from different parts of the brain from
combining to make a semantic memory.
,-Related Brain Area
• temporal lobe & inferior parietal cortex
• collect infor from different brain areas to create semantic memory.
How trauma impacts the 4 different types of memory: Episodic memory - -How Trauma
Can Affect It
• shutdown episodic memory & fragment the sequence of events.
-Related Brain Area
• hippocampus
• responsible for creating & recalling episodic memory.
How trauma impacts the 4 different types of memory: Procedural Memory - -How
Trauma Can Affect It
• change patterns of procedural memory
• example: person might tense up & unconsciously alter their posture, which could lead to pain
or even numbness.
-Related Brain Area
• striatum
• associated with producing procedural memory & creating new habits.
How trauma impacts the 4 different types of memory: Emotional Memory - -How Trauma
Can Affect It
• person may get triggered & experience painful emotions, often without context.
-Related Brain Area
• amygdala
• plays key role in supporting memory for emotionally charged experiences.
, Window of tolerance - -When you are in your Window of Tolerance, you feel like you can
dealwith whatever's happening in your life.
• You might feel stress or pressure, but it doesn't bother you too much.
• the ideal place to be.
-Working with a practitioner can help expand your window of tolerance
• so you are more able to cope with challenges.
How trauma can affect window of tolerance - -Hyperarousal
• Anxious, Angry, Out of Control, Overwhelmed
• body wants to fight or run away.
-Hypoarousal
• Spacy, Zoned Out, Numb, Frozen
• body wants to shut down.
-When stress & trauma shrink your window of tolerance, it doesnt take much to throw you off
balance
• Not something you choose - reactions just take over.
Polyvagal theory - -Based on ideas from Stephen Porges, PhD & Deb Dana, LCSW
-nervous system has three pathways, each designed to protect you
• ventral vagal: nervous system's optimal state, state we can engage socially, connect and co-
regulate with others, often feel more calm, curious, grounded, and safe.
• Sympathetic: defensive pathway, gets body to mobilize into a fight or flight response or an
attach/cry-for-help response, might feel fear, panic, irritation, anger, or even rage.