identity crisis

crisis /cri·sis/ (kri´sis) pl. cri´ses   [L.]

1. the turning point of a disease for better or worse; especially a sudden change, usually for the better, in the course of an acute disease.

2. a sudden paroxysmal intensification of symptoms in the course of a disease.

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addisonian crisis , adrenal crisis fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss accompanying an acute attack of Addison's disease.

blast crisis  a sudden, severe change in the course of chronic granulocytic leukemia with an increase in the proportion of myeloblasts.

genital crisis of newborn  estrinization of the vaginal mucosa and hyperplasia of the breast, influenced by transplacentally acquired estrogens.

hemolytic crisis  acute red cell destruction leading to jaundice, occasionally seen with sickle cell disease.

identity crisis  a period in the psychosocial development of an individual, usually occurring during adolescence, manifested by confusion over one's self, values, or perceived role expected by society.

sickle cell crisis  a broad term for several acute conditions occurring with sickle cell disease, including hemolytic crisis and vaso-occlusive crisis.

thyroid crisis , thyrotoxic crisis thyroid storm; a sudden and dangerous increase of symptoms of thyrotoxicosis.

vasoocclusive crisis  severe pain due to infarctions in the bones, joints, lungs, liver, kidney, spleen, eye, or central nervous system, an acute condition seen with sickle cell anemia.

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identity crisis

n.

A psychosocial state or condition of disorientation and role confusion occurring especially in adolescents as a result of conflicting pressures and expectations and often producing acute anxiety.

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identity crisis

Etymology: L, idem, the same; Gk, krisis, turning point

a period of confusion concerning an individual's sense of self and role in society, which occurs most frequently in the transition from one stage of life to the next. It is often expressed by isolation, negativism, extremism, and rebelliousness.

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crisis [kri´sis] (pl. cri´ses) (L.)

1. the turning point of a disease for better or worse; especially a sudden change, usually for the better, in the course of an acute disease.

2. a sudden paroxysmal intensification of symptoms in the course of a disease.

3. life crisis.

addisonian crisis (adrenal crisis) the symptoms accompanying an acute onset or worsening of addison's disease: anorexia, vomiting, abdominal pain, apathy, confusion, extreme weakness, and hypotension; if untreated these progress to shock and then death.

aplastic crisis a sickle cell crisis in which there is temporary bone marrow aplasia.

blast crisis a sudden, severe change in the course of chronic granulocytic leukemia, characterized by an increased number of blasts, i.e., myeloblasts or lymphoblasts.

catathymic crisis an isolated, nonrepetitive act of violence that develops as a result of intolerable tension.

celiac crisis an attack of severe watery diarrhea and vomiting producing dehydration and acidosis, sometimes occurring in infants with celiac disease.

developmental crisis maturational crisis.

hemolytic crisis an uncommon sickle cell crisis in which there is acute red blood cell destruction with jaundice.

hypertensive crisis dangerously high blood pressure of acute onset.

identity crisis a period in the psychosocial development of an individual, usually occurring during adolescence, manifested by a loss of the sense of the sameness and historical continuity of one's self, confusion over values, or an inability to accept the role the individual perceives as being expected by society.

life crisis a period of disorganization that occurs when a person meets an obstacle to an important life goal, such as the sudden death of a family member, a difficult family conflict, an incident of domestic violence (spouse or child abuse), a serious accident, loss of a limb, loss of a job, or rape or attempted rape.

maturational crisis a life crisis in which usual coping mechanisms are inadequate in dealing with a stress common to a particular stage in the life cycle or with stress caused by a transition from one stage to another. Called also developmental crisis.

myasthenic crisis the sudden development of dyspnea requiring respiratory support in myasthenia gravis; the crisis is usually transient, lasting several days, and accompanied by fever.

oculogyric crisis a symptom of an acute dystonic reaction in which the person demonstrates a fixed gaze, usually upward; also, the uncontrollable rolling upwards of the eye. It can be a result of encephalitis or a reaction to antipsychotic medications.

salt-losing crisis see salt-losing crisis.

sickle cell crisis see sickle cell crisis.

tabetic crisis a painful paroxysm occurring in tabes dorsalis.

thyroid crisis (thyrotoxic crisis) see thyroid crisis.

vaso-occlusive crisis a sickle cell crisis in which there is severe pain due to infarctions in the bones, joints, lungs, liver, spleen, kidney, eye, or central nervous system.

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identity crisis

Psychology A conflict in a person's perceived role in society, which may be accompanied by a loss of the sense of self and historical continuity. See Crisis, Psychosocial development.