Types of Crises
If you are in crisis, dial 2-1-1 from anywhere in Connecticut.
2-1-1 is certified by
the American Association of Suicidology.
If you live outside of Connecticut use the National Hopeline number which is
1-800-784-2433.
Dispositional Crises - Crises that ensue from a lack of information.
Examples:
- not knowing what job to take
- not knowing what one's options are for living arrangements
- not knowing whom to ask for what.
Anticipated Life Transitions - Normative, developmental crises that are fairly common in our society.
Examples:
- changing schools
- getting married
- becoming a parent
- divorce
- mid-life career change
Traumatic Stress - Crises that result from externally imposed stress situations that are unexpected, uncontrolled, and emotionally overwhelming.
Examples:
- rape
- assault
- sudden death of a loved one
- sudden loss of job or status
- sudden onset of illness
- accident
- war
Maturational/Developmental Crises - Crises that we experience as we pass through our life stages: issues of dependency; value conflicts; sexual identity confusion; capacity for emotional intimacy; responses to authority; level of self-discipline.
Examples:
- repeated loss of jobs due to inability to get along with supervisors
- repeated inability to maintain relationships due to unrealistic expectations of partners
Psychopathological Crises - Emotional crises precipitated by preexisting psychopathology. One's psychopathology impairs/complicates the way one deals with a situation.
Examples:
- person with borderline personality disorder interprets "no" as rejection/lack of love
- person with anxiety disorder interprets minor medical condition as incurable disease
Psychiatric Emergencies - Crisis situations where one's general functioning is severely impaired. Person's rendered incompetent; unable to be responsible for self.
Example:
- threats of suicide or homicide.
Source: Okun, Barbara F. Effective Helping: Interviewing and Counseling Techniques. Pacific Grove: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company, 1997.
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