Crisis:
Objective definition: (Merriam-Webster, Incorporation)
1 a: the
turning point for better or worse in an acute disease or fever
b: a paroxysmal attack of pain, distress, or
disordered function
c: an emotionally significant event or
radical change of status in a person’s life
2 : the decisive moment
3 a: an
unstable or crucial time or state of affairs in which a decisive change is
impending; especially
: one with the distinct possibility of a
highly undesirable outcome
b: a situation that has reached a critical
phase
Subjective definition:
For me a
crisis is the moment of realization that no matter what you decide, things are
on the verge of changing forever. It is the moment when panic and fear threaten
to overwhelm you at the very thought that you are reaching this unavoidable
moment in your life. Crises are usually situations which are completely out of
your control leaving you only the option of how you will react to the events
unfolding.
Precipitating event:
Objective definition:
A series of
factors or events that (bring on or lead to) trigger the onset of psychological
difficulties. (Carole Wade G-7)
Subjective definition:
From what I
gathered in my psychology course in college, a precipitating event is a series
of real or perceived events that serves as the triggering point for most
crises. We were very careful to make the distinction that sometimes
precipitating events could be unrealistic perceived events that not only
triggered the crisis but were a sign that the person was already in a state of
psychological distress. This type of trigger occurs particularly with those
that suffer from emotional or personality disorders or those with an organic
related mental disease. That is not to say that precipitating events of a
crisis are not real. On the contrary they can very well be real life events but
it is important to determine which has occurred to help further help and
diagnose a person.
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