Which term describes a powerful event that disrupts normal psychological functioning?

A critical incident is defined as a powerful and often unexpected event that disrupts an individual's normal psychological functioning. These events can lead to intense emotional responses and have lasting effects on mental health. Examples include natural disasters, violent incidents, or traumatic experiences. The identification of an incident as "critical" highlights its significant impact on mental well-being, making it crucial to acknowledge and address the psychological aftermath.

In contrast, adverse events generally refer to negative incidents in healthcare that could occur as a result of medical care but do not necessarily imply the psychological disruption that critical incidents do. Medical errors specifically relate to mistakes made in the process of providing care, whilst double jeopardy refers to a legal concept where an individual cannot be tried for the same crime twice, and is irrelevant in this context of psychological impact.