When a Personal Crisis Overwhelms

Effects of a Crisis

Unfortunately, no-one is immune to the possibility of a severe accident, a major illness, potential collapse of a business enterprise, a family crisis or other fateful misadventure.

In these situations, the degree of socio-economic stress(CL7B) is such that it is simply not sensible or even possible to actively contribute to the community (CL4B).

In terms of this analysis, that means, the L4B Centre must be by-passed to access and influence Centres that allow a specific focus on your financial position.

These Channels, to be clarified below, are the 6 remaining channels of influence on the periphery of the Tree as shown in the diagram, at right.

6 Periphery Channels

L7 ↔ L6

A socio-economic crisis (L7B) implies that your current methods for managing your life are overwhelmed and that you need force yourself to look at matters from new and alien perspectives (L6S). Conversely, when you adopt a different perspective, it can open your eyes to a potential disruption that will have to be faced.

L7B↔ L6S is provisionally labeled Exposure

Once you become aware of the crisis (L7B), you may feel compelled to direct yourself to learn more about it and analyse implications (L6P). Conversely, while engaged in learning about new developments or methods, this may lead, even force, you to become aware of an impending crisis for your modus vivendi.

L7B↔ L6P is provisionally labeled Direction

L6 ↔ L5

There are potentially 4 channels, but 2 are not requisite.
ClosedDetails

Your engagement in analyses and learning (L6P) is a private matter that should have no direct effect on group solidarity (L5S), nor should there be any direct reverse influence. However, there may be indirect influences.

Your attention to alternative perspectives (L6S)  should have no direct effect on developing trusting relationships (L5P), nor should there be any direct reverse influence. However, there may be indirect influences.

Attention to alternative perspectives (L6S) will raise questions about the quality of the core group's solidarity (L5S) because members become emotionally attached to viewpoints. Conversely, solidarity develops naturally around currently shared perspectives, so the value of alternatives will be questioned.

L6S↔ L5S is provisionally labeled Questioning

Analyses and learning (L6P)are best pursued in the company of others and sharing these experiences can lead to trusting relationships (L5P) or can assess the quality of existing relationships. Conversely, trusting relationships can be used to oversee learning and to check and criticize or confirm analyses.

L6P↔ L5P is provisionally labeled Oversight

L5 ↔ L3

Again, there are potentially 4 channels, but 2 are not requisite.

ClosedDetails

Core group solidarity (L5s) is directly linked to the expertise (L3P) that you can deliver as part of the group, but adherence to codes and standards(L3S) is not directly relevant for solidarity.

Development of trusted relationships (L5P)  is directly linked to adherence to codes and standards (L3S), but there is no direct link to the delivery of expertise and excellence (L3P).

Core group solidarity (L5S) is possible because of an expectation that each member is willing and able bring an agreed expertise (L3P). Conversely, when you deliver expertise, you expect that your core group will give you backing and show solidarity when it counts.

L5S↔ L3P is provisionally labeled Expectation

 

Trusting relationships (L5P) selects for adherence to codes of conduct and minimal standards (L3S) to minimize discomfort. Conversely, adherence to codes and standards will be a factor that selects amongst potential relationships.

L6S↔ L5S is provisionally labeled Selection

The lowest two peripheral channels are always operative in ensuring financial security, and not especially relevant to the crisis.

The Tree structure has been developed from first principles on many occasions and its form is well understood. However, it remains methodologically advisable in each new case to check that other possible channels of influence are not appropriate or are impossible in practice.

This discipline is applied here as follows:

From L7:

L7 connects downward to L6 and L4.

It does not directly influence L5 because the attention and energy is being focused inwards and not out to the community or to relationships.

It does not directly influence Centres at L3 and below because facing a crisis ....

From L6:

L6 connects downward to L5 and L4.

It does not connect directly to L2 and L1 because

From L5:

L5 connects downward to L4 and L3.

It does not connect directly to L2 and L1 because

From L4:

L4 connects downward to L3 and L2.

It does not connect directly to L1 because

There are no more possibilities.

Originally posted: 1-July-2025