Level 3
Stages of a Crisis
1. Impact
2. Recoil
3. Adjustment
This is where the initial shock of the event significantly disrupts the balance of a person’s life which can last from a few minutes to a few weeks. The person is unable to respond immediately as they have been overcome by the situation.
In this phase people pull back or withdraw to take time to think about the situation. Reactions to a crisis during this period might be feelings of victimisation, crying, anxiety, anger, depression, disbelief, guilt, feeling unwell, tension, restlessness, fatigue, insomnia, poor appetite, and possible mental instability.
This is where people start to adjust to the new situation and begin the struggle to cope with the crisis as they look at what can be done.