Crisis intervention

Crisis intervention

Stressful situations are a part of everyday’s life. Any stressful situation can precipitate a crisis. Crisis result in a disequilibrium from which many individuals require assistance to recover.

Meaning of crisis

A sudden event in one’s life that disturbs homeostasis, during which usual coping mechanisms cannot resolve the problem (Lagerquist, 2001)

Characteristics of a crisis

Crisis occurs in all individuals at one time or another

·  They are precipitated by specific identifiable events.

·  Crises are personal by nature. What may be considered as crisis by one individual may not be so for another.

·  Crisis are acute, not chronic and will be resolved in one way or another within a brief period.

·  A crisis situation contains the potential harm for psychological growth or deterioration.

Causes of crises

Crisis may arise as a result of

·  Stress or from the environment

·  Life transitions

·  Traumatic experience in life like death of loved one, accidents,

·  Life threatening illnesses

·  Stress out of promotions.

·  Existing psychiatric problems

Crisis Intervention

Individuals experiencing crisis have an urgent need for assistance. In crisis intervention the therapist, or other intervener becomes a part of the individual’s life situation. Because of the individual’s emotional state, he or she is unable to solve a problem, so requires guidance and support from another to help mobilize the resources needed to resolve the crisis.

Goal of crisis intervention

·  Resolution of immediate crisis

·  Restoration of the individual to his pre-crisis level of functioning

Phases of crisis intervention

Phase 1: Assessment: It includes gathering of information regarding the precipitating stressor and resulting crisis that prompted individual to seek professional help. It includes assessment of physical and mental status, coping methods, support systems, individual’s personal strengths and limitations.

Phase 2: Planning: In these phase, goals are established and appropriate activities are planned to meet the goals based on the individual’s needs and strengths.

Phase 3: Intervention: This is the actual phase of implementation in which the person suffering from crisis is helped to overcome/ manage the crisis. It includes guidance services and utilizing the support systems in favour of the individual.

Phase 4: Evaluation of crisis resolution: It includes reassessment to determine if the stated objective was achieved. It includes reassessment for positive behavioural changes, adaptive coping strategies, growth and learning from the crisis and plan of action for dealing with stressors similar to the one that precipitated the crisis. At the end of this phase, decision is made regarding follow up therapy; if needed, the nurse provides referral information.