crisis sequence

A series of five predictable changes experienced by the person in crisis: (1) hazardous event (a stressor that may be a single catastrophic event or a series of mishaps that have a cumulative effect), (2) vulnerable state (heightened tension and anxiety caused by the hazardous event, intensified as the individual uses the entire repertoire of coping techniques before seeing that they do not work in this new situation), (3) precipitating factor (the “last straw,” often seen as the presenting problem or event that brings tension to a peak), (4) active crisis state (disequilibrium has set in and is manifested by psychological and physical turmoil, aimless activity, disturbances in mood and intellectual functioning, and painful preoccupation with events leading to the crisis event), and (5) reintegration (the individual adjusts or accepts and learns new and effective coping techniques, a phase that may be adaptive or maladaptive). See also coping index.