1. Do you know anyone who is experiencing the effects of trauma? In what way does it manifest itself? Is there anything you can do to help this person?
2. The show explains that trauma can be caused by a wide variety of experiences. Were any of these examples especially meaningful or surprising to you?
3. What did you think about the discussion of dissociation? In particular about its encompassing a range of behavior from daydreaming to having a multiple personality, and that it comes from a person doing what he or she must do to survive when trauma.
4. Several approaches were discussed as being effective in becoming a survivor of trauma. Among these are: finding a therapist who specializes is treating trauma; learning how to set boundaries; spirituality; and drug therapy. Which of these do you think you would try, or ask a friend to try if there was a situation in which trauma was present?
5. Phyllis Lorenz explained that Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) was quite effective for treating a short-term trauma. In EMDR, the person is asked to move their eyes back and forth while thinking about the trauma that was experienced. Some researchers believe that EMDR works because eye movements evoke neurological and physiological changes that aid in the processing of the trauma. What do you think of this?
6. Do you find Barb S.’s story to be a hopeful and inspiring one for you?

Notes:

• For information on how a trauma therapist works with a client see: Trauma Therapy
• For local resources see: Resources Mentioned in the Show

Disclaimer:
These questions are to provide family and peer discussion and education. The information is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical or psychological condition. If you think someone is too fragile to be part of the discussion, please have them consult their mental health care provider for individual advice regarding the situation.