Page 22 - De Escalation for Helen
P. 22

Understanding the Brain Under Threat




    Under threat, the brain                                                    When in safety, the brain


    reacts:                                                                    reacts:


                                     EMOTIONAL:

                                     I need to be emotional –                                                    STEADY: I can be calm and

                                     shout and scream so others                                                  steady – I don’t need to call
                                                                                                                 for help.
                                     come and rescue me


                                                                                                                 FLEXIBLE: I know I am
                                     RIGID: I need to be rigid

                                     and focus only on one thing                                                 safe so I can think things

                                     - what I need to survive                                                    through, problem solve and
                                                                                                                 think of others.


                                                                                                                 DELIBERATE: I can take
                                     IMPULSIVE: I need to be                                                     my time and think things

                                     impulsive and react quickly                                                 through – I don’t need to

                                     to danger                                                                   make urgent decisions to

                                                                                                                 stay safe.



                                     ALERT: I need to be alert                                                   FOCUSED: I do not need to

                                     and on guard to any dangers                                                 worry about dangers around

                                     around me.                                                                  me. I can focus on one task.
   17   18   19   20   21   22   23   24   25   26   27