What is the primary aim of crisis intervention?

• A. To help the patient reestablish psychological equilibrium.
• B. To provide long-term personality restructuring.
• C. To diagnose underlying mental illness.
• D. To eliminate all distress immediately.

Answer: (A)

The aim of crisis intervention is to restore balance quickly after an acute disruption. In practice, that means helping the person reestablish psychological equilibrium so they can resume functioning and feel safer and more in control. This involves immediate safety assessment, supportive listening, and practical help to reduce intense distress, plus mobilizing coping strategies and social supports for short-term stabilization. The emphasis is on rapid stabilization and returning to baseline functioning, not on long-term personality change or deep diagnostic work.

Long-term personality restructuring isn’t the objective here; that requires ongoing therapy beyond the immediate crisis. Diagnosing an underlying mental illness may be part of ongoing care, but it isn’t the primary aim of crisis intervention. And while reducing distress is important, eliminating all distress immediately isn’t realistic or necessary—crisis intervention aims to bring distress to manageable levels and set up follow-up care.