Types of Crises

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 overwhelmin 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; se 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 w 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 b for self. Example: threats of suicide or homicide.