Psychiatric Medications Q 68
Nurse John is aware that most crisis situations should resolve in about:
A. 1 to 2 weeks
B. 4 to 6 weeks
C. 4 to 6 months
D. 6 to 12 months
Correct Answer: B. 4 to 6 weeks
Crisis is self-limiting and lasts from 4 to 6 weeks. In mental health terms, a crisis refers not necessarily to a traumatic situation or event, but to a person’s reaction to an event. One person might be deeply affected by an event while another individual suffers little or no ill effects. The Chinese word for crisis presents an excellent depiction of the components of a crisis. The word “crisis” in Chinese is formed with the characters for danger and opportunity.
Option A: “People are in a state of crisis when they face an obstacle to important life goals—and obstacle that is, for a time, insurmountable by the use of customary methods of problem-solving.” (Caplan, 1961). A crisis can sometimes be quite obvious, such as a person losing his or her job, getting divorced, or being involved in some type of accident. In other cases, a personal crisis might be less apparent but can still lead to dramatic changes in behavior and mood.
Option C: “Crisis is a perception or experience of an event or situation as an intolerable difficulty that exceeds the person’s current resources and coping mechanisms.” (James and Gilliland, 2001). It’s important to lean on friends, family, and loved ones during a crisis, but you should also seek professional help if you need it. Consider talking to your doctor about what you are dealing with.
Option D: If you are coping with a crisis, whether it’s emotional or situational, there are things that you can do to help ensure your psychological and physical well-being during this difficult time of your life. Focus on what’s important at the moment. This can mean getting yourself out of an unsafe situation or it can mean just focusing on the basics so that you can get through each day. Avoid taking on too much and conserve your energy so you can deal with the problem you are facing.