Managing a Crisis

Managing a Crisis

Every now and then life can throw you a curveball. Crises often come when we least expect them and can greatly affect our ability to function, including our ability to sleep, eat, enjoy entertainment, or study. A crisis might take many forms: moving house in exam week, being robbed, harassed or assaulted, facing illness or death, or losing your job. Sometimes a crisis situation can be triggered by internal stressors such as depression with negative self-talk. In each case, a crisis is an event that demands your attention.
Seeking assistance as soon as possible will help you to address a range of issues that you may not have considered. Early help can also significantly improve your ability to cope with what has happened and the impact it may have on your studies.
How you cope with a crisis decides how a fare through it. The way you respond to a crisis will be unique to you and dependent on the circumstances in your life at the time.
During the early phase of a crisis, you may experience emotional and psychological distress, physical discomfort and possibly behave in unfamiliar ways. You may find it hard to function as you normally would, despite wanting to do so. At different times you may experience a mixture of reactions, which could be disorienting or confusing. For example, you might find yourself experiencing some of the following: being watchful and on guard, unusual tiredness and/or inability to sleep, difficulty in thinking clearly, repetition of thoughts and images related to the experience, irritability and/or anxiety, feelings of being unsafe and/or vulnerable, depression, questions of self-doubt about your worth, change in your life goals or your orientation towards life
Why you may need help in a crisis
It may be hard for you to discern what is best for you during this time, so seeking support can be really helpful. Many of the reactions mentioned above result from increased adrenalin or shock. While these are normal responses, their effects make it difficult to consider long-term strategies, concentrate on studies, or function adequately. These reactions can also make it hard to recognize your need for support from others and that the situation is beyond your ability to deal with alone. If you do not obtain assistance early on after experiencing a crisis, you may prolong your personal distress and reduce your ability to study effectively. In addition, you may need to consider some longer-term consequences. Seeking assistance early enough can be helpful.