Actions & symbols that may trigger a victim/survivor

Home: Workers: Medical and Dental Workers: Beyond sexual assault

Actions

• having to open the mouth for prolonged periods of time
• inserting instruments into mouth
• dental professionals working above/over patient and in close physical proximity
• dental professional touching neck area
• dental professional saying "it wont hurt" or "it will be ok"
• being alone with person who has considerable authority (usually male).

Symbols

• powerlessness and loss of control:
• no breaks/time out
• no voice: cant say stop
• unpredictability:
• reclining in dental chair
• unsure of what is happening what to expect
• feeling trapped in dental chair
• dental instruments

How can I identify if a victim/survivor is experiencing a flashback or dissociating?

Flashbacks/Panic Attacks:

• sweating
• hyper vigilance
• increased heart rate
• rapid breathing
• nausea
• agitation
• easily frightened/startled
• irritability
• quietness
• vague expression/non-responsive

Dissociation:

• appearing to "space out" (dissociate) and to be unresponsive to external or verbal stimuli.
• hyper vigilance and high startle response
• inability to maintain appropriate emotional response due to constant switching.
• headaches
• quietness
• vague expression/non-responsive

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Disclaimer Copyright Updated: 18 Jul 2008