Short course
8.3
Crisis management
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© 1998 MJA
| 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
(ie, need to express concerns)
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
crises or recurrent medical
symptoms and treatments
(iii) Major disorganisation: Crisis may precipitate psychotic
episodes or affective disorders if vulnerable.
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