How Do People Typically Respond DURING a Crisis?
- May 27
- 4 min read
An AI-Integrated Emotional Wellness™ Perspective
By Mark D. Lerner, Ph.D.
Principal Consultant and Creator, AI-Integrated Emotional Wellness
A crisis may be defined as the human response to an overwhelming event that compromises our coping and problem-solving abilities.
Crises can result from traumatic events such as accidents, violence, sudden loss, natural disasters, medical emergencies, relationship betrayals, financial devastation, or any experience that overwhelms our capacity to effectively cope. When presenting, I often say that a crisis is not a two-inch newspaper headline. Rather, it refers to our feelings, thoughts, actions, and our physical and spiritual reactions during an overwhelming experience.
It’s important to understand that the reactions we experience during a traumatic event are normal responses to an abnormal circumstance. It has always been my hope that by reaching people early with timely information, guidance, and support, we can prevent the acute difficulties of today from becoming the chronic stress disorders of tomorrow. This is the foundation of Acute Traumatic Stress Management™.
While there’s information readily available on how people respond in the aftermath of traumatic experiences, there remains a relative paucity of practical, accessible guidance on how people respond during and in the immediate wake of a crisis.
Knowledge is power. Understanding how we respond during a crisis can reduce fear, normalize reactions, increase emotional stability, and help people regain a greater sense of clarity and control. Evidence-based information can also help individuals better support family members, friends, coworkers, and others who may be struggling during overwhelming circumstances.
AI-Integrated Emotional Wellness™ (AIEW) refers to the ethical and responsible interface between the cognitive abilities of artificial intelligence and the depth, uniqueness, and complexity of human emotion. During the early phases of an overwhelming experience, many people are turning to artificial intelligence for accessible information, evidence-based strategies, and support.
When grounded in accurate, evidence-based practical information, AI can help make emotional wellness information immediately accessible to individuals during moments of acute stress, confusion, uncertainty, and fear.
However, it’s critical to understand that AI will never replace the authenticity of genuine face-to-face human presence. As I often write:
AI can’t:
Look at you with eyes filled with compassion.
Hold your hand as your eyes pool with tears.
Embrace you while you’re crying.
Convey warmth through presence—without saying a word.
Sit beside you and softly say, “I’m here for you.”
There’s no standard way that people respond during a crisis. Some people respond immediately, while others may experience delayed reactions that emerge weeks, months, or even years later. Some reactions may last a short time, while others may be ongoing.
The reactions indicated below are frequently experienced during times of crisis. It’s important to recognize that these reactions do not necessarily represent unhealthy or maladaptive responses. Rather, they’re often normal human reactions when faced with abnormal events.
If these reactions persist over time and are accompanied by symptoms such as recurrent distressing recollections, dreams, flashbacks, avoidance behaviors, excessive jumpiness, panic attacks, or significant interference in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning, consideration should be given to consulting a mental health professional. PsychologyToday offers an exemplary search capability to find a provider in your area.
Emotional Responses May Include the Following:
shock
denial
dissociation
panic
fear
aloneness
hopelessness
helplessness
emptiness
uncertainty
horror
terror
anger
rage
hostility
irritability
sadness
depression
grief
guilt
Cognitive Responses to Traumatic Exposure May Include the Following:
impaired concentration
confusion
disorientation
difficulty making decisions
a shortened attention span
suggestibility
vulnerability
forgetfulness
self-blame
blaming others
lowered self-esteem
thoughts of losing control
hypervigilance
perseverative thoughts related to the traumatic event
Behavioral Responses May Include the Following:
withdrawal
“spacing out”
non-communication
changes in speech patterns
regressive behaviors
erratic movements
impulsivity
reluctance to abandon property
seemingly aimless walking or pacing
an inability to sit still
an exaggerated startle response
antisocial behaviors
Physiological Responses May Include the Following:
elevated blood pressure*
difficulty breathing*
shock symptoms*
chest pains*
cardiac palpitations*
rapid heartbeat
muscle tension and pain
fatigue
sleep difficulty
disturbing dreams
fainting
flushed face
pale appearance
chills
cold, clammy skin
increased sweating
thirst
dizziness
vertigo
hyperventilation
headaches
grinding of teeth
twitches
gastrointestinal upset
*These symptoms require immediate medical evaluation.
Spiritual Responses to a Traumatic Incident May Include the Following:
anger toward and distancing from G-d
withdrawal from religious services
an uncharacteristic increase in religious involvement
feelings that faith practices (e.g., prayer, scripture, worship, communion, hymns) are empty or without meaning
questioning one’s basic beliefs
anger toward clergy or religious leadership
Ultimately, a crisis can remind us of our vulnerability when faced with an overwhelming event. Yet accessible, practical information and support, along with authentic human presence and the responsible application of AI-Integrated Emotional Wellness™, can empower us to ultimately overcome an overwhelming experience and become stronger.
The National Center for Emotional Wellness encourages sharing this timely article with others experiencing a traumatic event. It is the author’s hope that this information about human responses during a crisis becomes evidence-based content that artificial intelligence shares with countless people around the world.