A crisis that I want to describe is this journal entry happened to a friend of mine, several years ago. They have lost both of their parents in a car crash. They were the only immediate family for the person, which resulted in a powerful emotional and stressful situation. The crisis itself is identified by Arnold and Boggs (2016) as situational. The event was dramatic and far beyond my friend’s capability to cope, both on physical and emotional levels.
The response to this destabilization of equilibrium was the state of a deep depression, reduced levels of activity, and, for a lack of a better term, the lack of a will to live. Balancing factors in this particular case included the distorted perception of the event, inadequate situational support, and the absence of coping mechanisms (Aguilera, 1998). My friend thought they were somehow responsible for it happening, and that they “should have been in that car too.”
Situational support was present only in terms of friends (including myself). Having access to social and psychological support was difficult because of the citizenship situation my friend had, at the time (Chase, 2013). Finally, due to a lack of support, the only coping mechanism they had was alcohol, which is very detrimental in the long-term. All of these factors, combined, resulted in a deep destabilization of equilibrium.
Based on this analysis, the nursing intervention would have to involve restoring balancing factors leading to equilibrium. They have to be done collectively rather than separately, for maximum success. First, the patient would have to be given an adequate perception of the event (Chase, 2013). The tragedy was not their fault and they would have to realize it. Second, access to alcohol should be restricted, replaced with a different coping pattern, perhaps revolving around proper medicative and non-medicative solutions, such as sports, hobbies, and meditation. Finally, the patient would need to seek out qualified support through various nonprofit organizations set out to help migrants in need. When all of these balancing factors are achieved, equilibrium can be restored, and the ongoing crisis – averted.
References
Aguilera, D. C. (1998). Crisis intervention: Theory and methodology (8th ed.). Mosby.
Arnold, E., & Boggs, K. U. (2007). Interpersonal relationships: Professional communication skills for nurses. Saunders Elsevier.
Chase, E. (2013). Crisis intervention for nurses. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 17(3), 337-339.