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Trauma and early life adversity can affect emotion management and how the autonomic nervous system responds to stress.
People with traumatic backstories may be more sensitized to escalation when they experience a real or perceived threat. Understanding Trauma Responses<br>
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Four dominant trauma (survival/fear/anxiety) responses:
Fight
Flight
Freeze
Fawn Understanding Trauma Responses The de-escalation process is about working to de-intensify the FIGHT response in someone whose aggression and risk towards violence is increasing.<br>
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Originate in our nervous system (parasympathetic-sympathetic nervous system) and are needed for survival
Natural survival responses can become problematic overtime when the switch gets stuck in the on position
Many factors can contribute to the switch being “stuck on”
When stuck on, our bodies can mislead us into reacting intensely or overreacting to manageable stressors Understanding Trauma Responses<br>
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A Trauma-Informed Approach Explaining is not excusing.<br>
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Regulation is the ability to respond appropriately to our environment and effectively manage our sensory, physical, and emotional experiences.
This process is essential for maintaining emotional balance and clear thinking. Regulation<br>
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Occurs when our emotional and physiological state does not match the needs of our environment
Our nervous system is being influenced by an unnecessary and unhelpful activation of our survival responses
We can become stressed beyond our capacity to cope and move into a hyper- or hypo-aroused state Dysregulation<br>
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STAGE 01 | Activating Incident (Dysregulation)
STAGE 02 | Escalation
STAGE 03 | Breaking Point
STAGE 04 | Recovery Escalating Emotion De-escalation begins<br>
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Everyone has a unique baseline influenced by many factors.
Some people are naturally calmer; trauma can elevate our baseline.
Stressors like a tough day, hunger, or lack of sleep can raise our baseline.
Elevated baselines make people more easily activated. Baseline Baseline<br>
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Successful de-escalation depends on the de-escalator staying calm.
Our survival responses react to the survival responses of those around us.
It's hard to calm our survival responses when someone else is activated.
The de-escalator's ability to stay calm is challenged by the escalating person. How Does This Impact You?<br>
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Co-regulation is the process of managing emotions through connection with another person.
Awareness of trauma and nervous system responses improves de-escalation.
De-escalation involves using our regulation to reduce another person's survival response. Co-regulation and Intentional Engagement<br>
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What does your own emotional response look and feel like?
What skills do you already use to stay calm in emotionally charged situations? Reflection Never underestimate the presence of a non-anxious person.<br>
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Physical signs (e.g., red face, clenched fists or jaw, rapid breathing, trembling, dilated pupils)
Heightened anxiety/hypervigilance (e.g., pacing, restless behaviour, repetitive movements, excessive sweating)
Physical intimidation (e.g., slamming doors, pounding tables, making threatening movements) Escalation Warning Signs<br>
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Verbal intimidation (e.g., swearing, sneering, taunting, raising voice)
Threatening (i.e., verbal threats of physical assault) Escalation Warning Signs<br>
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Enablers (Negative)
Anything that increases, the likelihood or the means for violence to occur. Inhibitors (Positive)
Anything that decreases or works to decrease the likelihood or means that violence will occur. Enablers and Inhibitors As the de-escalator we want to be an Inhibitor not an Enabler.<br>
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Five steps:
Awareness
Connection
Problem-solving
Closing The De-escalation Process A successful de-escalation can end at step two.<br>
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Step 01 | Awareness Are you ready to approach the situation with an open mindset and engage in a trauma-informed approach? Do a quick review of the entire situation. How are you feeling? What are your surroundings? Start thinking about how you will disengage.<br>
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Practice cycle breathing
Use self-talk strategies
Practice territory awareness
Keep a safe distance
Pay attention to eye contact Practical Tips for Awareness<br>
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Understand what pushes their buttons
Use effective listening skills
Show interest Step Two | Connection<br>
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Pay attention to body language
Use a frontal turn
Match your height
Use each other’s names
Slow down Practical Tips for Connection Control your tone, volume, and rate of speaking
Use inclusive language
Offer food or drink
Find common ground
Promote whole-brain integration<br>
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Practice attentive communication skills
Validation and paraphrasing
Key phrases:
“Tell me more about that . . .”
“Help me to understand . . .” Practical Tips for Connection<br>
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Embrace silence
Acknowledge the problem
Avoid confrontational language Practical Tips for Connection Use “we” language
Provide choice
Use the referral technique<br>
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A successful de-escalation is an escalation that is redirected before it results in physical aggression.
A successful de-escalation does not necessarily mean people leave a situation happy or content.
Remember: A successful de-escalation can end at step two.
Steps three and four are particularly helpful when the importance of maintaining a relationship is necessary or expected. What Is a Successful De-escalation?<br>
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Assuming someone has de-escalated:
Prioritize issues and identify interests
Look for solutions
Reach an understanding Step 03 | Problem-Solving How are we going to prevent this
from happening again?<br>
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Thank the individual(s):
Acknowledge what didn’t work.
Acknowledge what did work.
Provide reassurance.
Clarify the next step. Step 04 | Closing<br>
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If escalation continues . . .
Politely end the conversation.
If they refuse to leave, issue a warning.
Leave the situation.
Notify the appropriate people immediately. Disengagement<br>
