If I am feeling extremely stressed and overwhelmed, my "crutch" (or rather a maladaptive coping strategy that while harmful in the long run at least helps me remain conscious instead of lapsing into a half-aware state of unresponsive pseudo-catatonia) is "lawful stupid." I lash out at the world by spitefully following the letter of rules and law in malicious defiance of their intent and to the danger of myself and everyone around me. Remember that one car on the freeway going 50 in a 60 zone where everyone else is at 70? The one being passed by a long string of over-burdened flatbed trucks carrying heavy rolls of steal? That was me, because I was having a gosh darned miserable day, and I'm sorry you had to see that.