How Trauma Affects You: why your system stays on high alert
Intense or frightening experiences can leave your nervous system stuck on high alert. This mini course helps you understand why that happens, what’s going on in your body, and why your reactions are normal adaptive responses - not signs that something is wrong with you.
Free to try · Responses are private & encrypted
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What does the How Trauma Affects You Mini Course cover?
How the nervous system switches into survival mode, the fight, flight, freeze and shutdown responses, why some memories stay unprocessed, how triggers such as places, sounds and smells set off old reactions, and why these responses are adaptive rather than signs something is wrong.
Who is this How Trauma Affects You Mini Course for?
Helpful if you:
😨 Have been through something frightening or overwhelming
🔔 React strongly to reminders without knowing why
🧠 Want to understand what your body is doing and why
For therapists:
Send this course during the preparation phase of trauma-focused work to normalise the client's reactions. Their reflection on what the nervous system was protecting them from supports a compassionate formulation. Fully HIPAA and GDPR compliant.
Dr Harriet Mellotte
Clinical Psychologist & CBT Therapist, BABCP
“Offload is a fantastic resource for both clients and therapists. The world of CBT has been lacking an app which enables the sharing of CBT worksheets and homework tasks between clients and therapists, but Offload completely does this, making the service we offer more professional and the benefits to clients greater.”
Frequently asked questions
How does trauma affect the nervous system?
When something dangerous or overwhelming happens, the nervous system switches automatically into survival mode: fight, flight, freeze or shutdown. After trauma it can stay stuck on high alert, reacting to reminders as if the danger were happening now. This course explains what that looks like and why it is a normal response.
Why do I react so strongly to small things?
Because a memory that was never fully processed can be triggered by a place, sound, smell, person or thought that resembles the original event. The nervous system responds to the trigger as it did to the trauma, before your thinking brain has a chance to weigh in. The reaction is adaptive, not a sign something is wrong with you.
Does this mean I have PTSD?
Not necessarily. Many people have trauma responses without meeting the criteria for PTSD, and this course is about understanding the reactions, not diagnosing them. If your reactions are frequent, distressing or affecting your life, Offload's PTSD Test can help you decide whether to seek an assessment from a professional.
Can my therapist assign this course?
Yes. Therapists on Offload can send How Trauma Affects You during the preparation phase of trauma-focused work to normalise the client's reactions, and your reflection on what your nervous system was protecting you from supports a compassionate formulation. Your responses are available for them to review beforehand. Fully HIPAA and GDPR compliant.
Are you a therapist?
Assign this therapy tool and 200+ other interactive tools directly to your clients. Build personalised care plans, customise tools, and review client responses before sessions. HIPAA and GDPR compliant.
Explore Offload for therapistsReferences
van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Porges, S. W. (2011). The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-Regulation. American Psychiatric Association. (2017). Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.
