A person cannot stay in crisis. The body can’t stand the physical and emotional strain indefinitely. Either the situation will change and the person will return to a pre-crisis state; the person will develop new coping skills and resources; or the person will avoid crisis by substance abuse, mental or physical illness, a suicide attempt, or other destructive behavior. Some precipitating events can never be undone (such as in the case of rape or death of a spouse) and so the option of returning to a pre-crisis emotional state is not possible. Even where the situational crisis may be resolved, the caller’s range of possible experiences and feelings has been altered and denial may play a big part in any resolution that does not include growth and development of new coping skills.
Developmental Crisis is a crisis resulting from a normal life change (i.e. puberty, leaving home, marriage, birth of children, retirement). These are changes that are normal parts of life and can only be successfully transitioned through as one learns to cope with her situation.
Situational Crisis is the result of the unexpected trauma such as losses, illness or displacement. Because of the unexpected shock, one typically experiences these events as more stressful.
At times these developmental or situational crises can occur simultaneously, and when that happens the crisis is usually more disruptive.
There is not a clear-cut description of a person in crisis. Below are some feelings commonly experienced by someone in crisis:
- Anxiety — Any substantial threat produces anxiety that can be helpful in mobilizing us to defend ourselves against the threat through change, action, etc. However, too great an amount of anxiety can lead to confusion, poor judgment, immobilization, and self-defeating behavior.
- Helplessness — Being faced with an external or internal situation that we are not prepared to face can leave one feeling vulnerable. Intense emotions may contribute to the experience of helplessness.
- Anger — Anger may be directed at another person, an event, or at the self.
