1: Stages of crisis Stage I: Mounting tension habitual problem solving responses in an attempt to maintain the person's steady state. Stage II: Plateau of disorganisation feeling anxious and ineffectual, "at sea", "chaotic" or "going mad" repetitive abortive attempts at problem solving stereotyped responses (like "hitting your head against a brick wall") increased dependence and ventilation needs Stage III: Mobilisation of all internal and external resources maximum arousal, heightened suggestibility, increasing vulnerability to good or poor advice. emergency methods or creative, novel solutions may be attempted, resulting in a range of possible outcomes: Stage IV: Adaptation or maladaptation (i) Crisis resolution: Adaptation to new circumstances. Stability and steady state restored at equal or higher level (most common outcome) (ii) Maladaptation: Superficial "closure" or reactivation of past crises15 or recurrent medical symptoms and treatments16 (iii) Major disorganisation: Crisis may precipitate psychotic episodes or affective disorders if vulnerable.3,17 Back to text of article