NR565 VERIFIED FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Define anxious attachment
People who are psychologically reactive exhibit anxious attachment and are inclined to
demand reassurance in an aggressive and controlling way, frequently blaming and
manipulating in order to engage their partner.
Define vacillating attachment
People who have been traumatized frequently fluctuate between attachment and
hostility. They are typically reactive and they vacillate with frequency.
Tell me about the key concept of attachment injuries emotionally focused family
therapy
emotional injury that is experienced in a couple relationship. The injury is generally
characterized as abandonment, betrayal, or violation of trust These injuries, if
unresolved, damage the nature of the attachment bond and sometimes prevent the
repair of the bond
What is the goal of emotional family therapy?
expand constricted emotional responses that create negative interaction patterns,
restructure interactions so that partners become more accessible and responsive to
each other, and foster positive cycles of comfort and caring
What brain structures are involved in trauma?
-limbic system
-amygdala
-orbitofrontal cortex
-anterior cingulate gyrus
What part of the brain stores the physical impact of negative emotions?
The amygdala "fear center"
What happens in the brain during a potentially traumatic event?
When the amygdala is activated during a traumatic experience, it interferes with the
hippocampus, which is involved with the recall of memory. This activation causes the
prefrontal cortex to function less effectively, and the brain goes into survival mode.
What happens in the brain/body when going through a traumatic event?
, The brain stem is critical in fast, defensive responses. It's directly connected with the
retina. The retina sends visual information to the brain stem immediately- before higher
levels of the brain are even aware of the threat.
If the predator moves closer, the periaqueductal gray initiates a fight or flight response.
The periaqueductal gray activates the sympathetic nervous system. Heart rate goes up.
Blood flow to muscles increases. Blood pressure increases. Pupils dilate.
But it's not always possible to fight or escape. That's when a person may enter the
freeze response, or feigned death. Now the periaqueductal gray activates the
parasympathetic nervous system as well. Muscles get tight and freeze. Both gaze and
breath may freeze. This is not a cognitive choice, these "decisions" are made at the
level of the brain stem and nervous system.
If the predator doesn't move away, the person may shutdown completely.
Heart rate drops. Respiratory rate drops. Some people stop breathing. Muscles become
limp. Metabolism shuts down. Endorphins are released.
The person enters a state of "no pain". They are no longer aware of their surroundings.
During inescapable trauma, this is a very adaptive way for the brain and body to
respond.
Tell me about the freeze trauma response
-The client is HYPERaroused.
-The muscles are tense and full of energy, but can't release it.
-In this stage, there are similar levels of sympathetic and parasympathetic activation.
-Increased heart rate/blood pressure.
The client might say, "I feel stuck," "I can't move," or "I feel like I am encased in
cement."
-Eyes widen.
-The body is ready to return to fight/ flight as soon as the threat passes.
Tell me about the shutdown/collapse response to trauma
Define anxious attachment
People who are psychologically reactive exhibit anxious attachment and are inclined to
demand reassurance in an aggressive and controlling way, frequently blaming and
manipulating in order to engage their partner.
Define vacillating attachment
People who have been traumatized frequently fluctuate between attachment and
hostility. They are typically reactive and they vacillate with frequency.
Tell me about the key concept of attachment injuries emotionally focused family
therapy
emotional injury that is experienced in a couple relationship. The injury is generally
characterized as abandonment, betrayal, or violation of trust These injuries, if
unresolved, damage the nature of the attachment bond and sometimes prevent the
repair of the bond
What is the goal of emotional family therapy?
expand constricted emotional responses that create negative interaction patterns,
restructure interactions so that partners become more accessible and responsive to
each other, and foster positive cycles of comfort and caring
What brain structures are involved in trauma?
-limbic system
-amygdala
-orbitofrontal cortex
-anterior cingulate gyrus
What part of the brain stores the physical impact of negative emotions?
The amygdala "fear center"
What happens in the brain during a potentially traumatic event?
When the amygdala is activated during a traumatic experience, it interferes with the
hippocampus, which is involved with the recall of memory. This activation causes the
prefrontal cortex to function less effectively, and the brain goes into survival mode.
What happens in the brain/body when going through a traumatic event?
, The brain stem is critical in fast, defensive responses. It's directly connected with the
retina. The retina sends visual information to the brain stem immediately- before higher
levels of the brain are even aware of the threat.
If the predator moves closer, the periaqueductal gray initiates a fight or flight response.
The periaqueductal gray activates the sympathetic nervous system. Heart rate goes up.
Blood flow to muscles increases. Blood pressure increases. Pupils dilate.
But it's not always possible to fight or escape. That's when a person may enter the
freeze response, or feigned death. Now the periaqueductal gray activates the
parasympathetic nervous system as well. Muscles get tight and freeze. Both gaze and
breath may freeze. This is not a cognitive choice, these "decisions" are made at the
level of the brain stem and nervous system.
If the predator doesn't move away, the person may shutdown completely.
Heart rate drops. Respiratory rate drops. Some people stop breathing. Muscles become
limp. Metabolism shuts down. Endorphins are released.
The person enters a state of "no pain". They are no longer aware of their surroundings.
During inescapable trauma, this is a very adaptive way for the brain and body to
respond.
Tell me about the freeze trauma response
-The client is HYPERaroused.
-The muscles are tense and full of energy, but can't release it.
-In this stage, there are similar levels of sympathetic and parasympathetic activation.
-Increased heart rate/blood pressure.
The client might say, "I feel stuck," "I can't move," or "I feel like I am encased in
cement."
-Eyes widen.
-The body is ready to return to fight/ flight as soon as the threat passes.
Tell me about the shutdown/collapse response to trauma
