Crisis

Crisis

What is a Crisis?

Define:experiences or events causing people to make major changes.

Examples:

divorce,death,homeless etc.

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Stressors

Life events that cause people to make major changes in their lives.

Usually happens when a family experiences so much stress that members are unable to carry out regular functions

Stress is caused by life events that change or have the potential to produce change in the family.

Whether Stressors lead to a Crisis depends on….

The event itself

Number of stress events going on at the same time

How the family identifies and interprets the event

Resources available to manage the event

Characteristics of Crises-Producing Events

1. Devastating events that cause a great loss. Ex. Tornado, death

2. Very stressful events that widely impact members. Events that affect several or all family members is more likely to cause a crisis. EX. Moving

3. Sudden, important events-no time to prepare, unexpected, often feel out of control. EX. Car accident

4. 4. Events requiring major adjustments. EX. Divorce

What is the Pile-UP effect???

Crises can occur when several changes occur at the same time, or after each other. Each event separately might be too small to cause a crisis alone.

Pile-Up Activity

How Does Crises Affect the Family?

A. Balanced (functional) v.s. Unbalanced (dysfunctional)Individuals are unable to carry out their rolesEvery member of the family affects the other membersSuddenly the family is not functioning smoothly as a unit.

FAMILY NEEDS

1. TIME

2. RESOURCES

3. SUPPORT AS IT WORKS TO ADJUSTTO THE CHANGES AND

RESTORES BALANCE

GRIEVING PROCESS

1. DENIAL

2. ANGER

3. GUILT

4. BLAME

5. DEPRESSION

6. ACCEPTANCE

When Families Don’t Adjust

Behavior patterns may develop. guilt, anger, blame continues,May stop eating, withdraw from others, act out, drugsWork may be affected, parents may neglect children, abuse, malnourishedMay hinder growth and development of members-- possible long term results

How Can We Prevent a Crisis?

1. Identify Sources of Stress in the family!

2. Use outside resources to help handle the stress and effects.

3. Foster good interaction skills with family so they will cooperate in times of stress.

Positive Attitudes-family deals with stress.

Sources of Stress

Internal--

External--

Do you have any control over the stress?

How Can We Manage Stress?

1. Reduce the amount of stress- change schedules etc. small changes can reduce stress

2. Remove Sources of stress- move, leave the source

3. Remove family member from source-

4. Break stressors into smaller parts.

Reduce Effects of Stress

Change responses to stressful events. Ex. Humor, good nutritionSet aside time to communicate. Ex. Find quiet place to talk, dinner out or phone off at home for a time period.Take part in a family activity. Recreation together can reduce stress--open communication.

Developing Family Resources

1. Financial Resources

2. Flexibility

3. Commitment

4. Good Communication Skills

5. Joint Decision-Making Skills

6. Negotiation Skills

7. Family Support

8. Community Support Groups

Coping with Crisis

Understand the Situation

Ask what changes have taken place

Identify how the family is affected.

Use Good communication skills

Seek professionals who can provide information

Seek solutions to the Problem

Ask what can be done to handle the changesKeep a tolerant attitudeDon’t blame others for the problemAvoid using drugs/alcohol for copingBe open and flexibleSeek solutions that benefit all involvedIdentify available resources in the family and community

Strengthen the Family Unit

Set aside quiet uninterrupted times to talk.

Share thoughts and feelings openly.

Accept each other’s thoughts and feelings

Encourage each other.

Take time for family leisure activities.

Emphasize Personal Growth for Individual Family Members

Encourage pursuing individual interests.

Keep involved with friends and community.

Set goals for the future.

Make plans to reach personal and family goals.

Community Resources

Where Can You Find Community Resources?

1. Phone Book

2. Internet

3. Churches

4. Library

5. School-(counselors

6. Government