2. Crisis

what are examples of adverse or traumatic events or experiences?

• natural disasters

• human-caused disasters

• poverty

• racism, discrimination, oppression

what shared features can acute stress disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder have?

• intrusion symptoms

• negative changes in cognition and mood

what timeline fits acute stress disorder?

3 days to 1 month after the trauma

what timeline fits post-traumatic stress disorder?

longer than 1 month after the trauma

what are the 2 main types of disaster?

1. human-caused

2. natural disasters

what is a crisis?

a state of disequilibrium and emotional distress after a stressor or precipitating event

why does a crisis happen?

usual coping methods fail and the person cannot function in one or more areas of life

• lasts about 6 to 8 weeks, impact can last forever

what should be assessed during a crisis?

• current health + psych status

• coping

what are the 3 types of crisis?

• situational

• maturational

• adventitious

what is a situational / external crisis?

an unexpected change or loss in everyday life

what is a maturational crisis?

stress from moving into a new developmental stage that requires new coping skills

what is an adventitious crisis?

a crisis caused by events such as natural disasters, crimes, or large-scale trauma

• ex: pandemic, terroism, rape

what are common characteristics of a crisis? *

• a sudden event with little or no time to prepare

• feeling that the event is overwhelming or life threatening

• loss or decrease in communication with significant others

• feeling displaced from the familiar

• an actual or perceived loss

what can happen as a crisis worsens?

• anxiety escalates

• defense mechanisms fail

• functioning becomes disorganized

• panic can lead to flight or withdrawal

• depression or confusion can develop

• violence toward self or others can happen

what warning signs should be watched for in a crisis?

• emotional stressors

• an emotionally charged situation

• high-risk patients

• being under the influence

• history of violence

• homicide or suicide risk

• psychiatric history

• high-risk situations