Phase 3 of Crisis is best described by which patient response?

• A. Anxiety can overwhelm the person and lead to serious illness.
• B. Prevention.
• C. Patient may withdraw or try to leave the situation.
• D. Provides support for recovery.

Answer: (C)

Phase 3 centers on safety-seeking behavior when the crisis becomes overwhelming. At this stage, the person often withdraws emotionally or physically or tries to leave the dangerous situation as a way to protect themselves. This withdrawal reflects a natural move from reacting to danger to taking protective action when coping resources feel stretched beyond their limit. It signals a shift toward safety planning and connecting with support services. The other options describe responses that fit earlier stress reactions, prevention concepts, or recovery steps, not the acute safety-focused withdrawal characteristic of this phase.