A crisis is defined as a sudden unexpected situation with a severity that overwhelms a person’s coping mechanisms. What determines a ‘crisis’ can differ from person to person.
For example, a child whose pet dies may face a crisis, as may a person who faces the loss of a spouse or friend. When undergoing crisis, a person may show the following responses:
- Emotional: Feelings of denial, helplessness, shock or anger
- Physical: Hyperventilation, lethargy, gastric pain, insomnia, weight loss
In cases of major crisis, a person may experience hallucinations, have suicidal thoughts, pose a danger to self or others, or display symptoms severe enough to affect functioning. In these cases, professional help is recommended and there are many resources in the community. General Practitioners (GPs), Family Service Centres (FSCs), school or company counsellors, and emergency helplines like the Samaritans of Singapore (SOS: 1800-221-4444) or the IMH Helpline: 6389 2222, can serve as a first-stop for help.
While it is a fact that crisis can happen to anyone, some important things to note are:
- Everyone can be affected by a crisis, but may react differently in their own ways
- Everyone can recover from a crisis, but at their own pace
- Everyone is capable of attending to and helping another person in distress
- Caregivers need to take care of themselves as well, while caring for the person in distress
Source:
IMH