What phrase describes a child's inability to regulate emotions during a crisis?

• A. Engagement
• B. Fight, flight, or freeze
• C. Emotional stability
• D. Heightened cognition

Answer: (B)

The phrase that describes a child's inability to regulate emotions during a crisis is "fight, flight, or freeze." This concept refers to the instinctual response that occurs when an individual perceives a threatening situation. In children, when they encounter a crisis, their ability to manage emotions can become overwhelmed, leading them to exhibit one of these three responses: they might actively fight against the perceived threat, flee from it, or freeze in response to fear.

Understanding this response is critical in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention, as it highlights the importance of recognizing when a child is in crisis and unable to process their emotions effectively. Interventions aimed at assisting the child during such moments often focus on de-escalation techniques and providing a sense of safety and security to help them regain emotional regulation.

The other choices refer to different concepts: engagement pertains to building relationships, emotional stability relates to a child's ongoing ability to manage feelings, and heightened cognition refers to an increase in awareness or thought processes during stressful situations—none of which directly describe the loss of emotional regulation during a crisis.