crises

noun

1. 1.A crucial or decisive point or situation; a turning point.
2. 2.An unstable situation, in political, social, economic or military affairs, especially one involving an impending abrupt change.
3. 3.A sudden change in the course of a disease, usually at which point the patient is expected to either recover or die.
4. 4.A traumatic or stressful change in a person's life.
5. 5.A point in a drama at which a conflict reaches a peak before being resolved.