Crisis is defined by two parts: which are?

• A. The actual event, and the response to the event
• B. The duration of distress
• C. The location of the incident
• D. The number of people involved

Answer: (A)

A crisis occurs when a triggering event and the person’s response to it together overwhelm their usual coping abilities. The stressor is the actual event, but the defining part is how the individual perceives it and how they cope. If the event disrupts thinking, emotions, and behavior to the point where the person can’t regain equilibrium with their normal supports, a crisis results. It’s not about how long it lasts, where it happens, or how many people are involved—those factors may affect how severe it feels, but they don’t define a crisis itself. For example, two students may experience the same sudden event, but one may navigate with existing supports while the other experiences a crisis because their coping resources are insufficient.