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Rosen,
Box 1

 Rosen Box 1-->

 

 

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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

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