TABLE 1.

Coping Styles

Maladaptive coping styles

Use of alcohol or drugs

Feeling overwhelmed, developing panic, anxiety, or depression

Deceptive, antisocial: use of dishonesty, lying, cheating, or stealing to resolve a crisis

Suicidal: using threats of suicide or suicide attempts to cause someone to solve a problem

Violence: using threats or actual violence to establish control and solve a problem

Avoidance or denial: failure to confront or acknowledge a problem

Somatization; displaying physical symptoms as a method of expressing emotions

Impulsive: unpredictable or impulsive responses, without anticipation of possible consequences or outcomes

Random, chaotic: nonproductive and an extreme form of trial and error with an impulsive style; often seen in prolonged traumatic or psychotic states

Adaptive coping styles

Intuitive: using imagination, feelings, and perceptions to solve a problem

Logical, rational: carefully reasoned in a logical and deductive style

Trial and error: exploring solutions (eg, if one fails, modifying and engaging in another)

Help-seeking: gathering information and then proceeding

Self-care: pursuing wellness through nutrition, exercise, stress management, or sleep hygiene

Wait and see: allowing time or circumstance to determine the outcome

Action-oriented: taking action to immediately rectify the problem

Contemplation: quietly thinking over the problem before acting

Spiritual: prayer or asking for direction

Emotional: using emotions, such as sadness or anger, to direct problem-solving

Directing, controlling oneself, or directing others to solve a problem

Manipulative: using various manipulative styles to resolve the crisis