It affects most of us at different stages of life. Sometimes it is the result of natural developmental changes. It can be caused by environmental factors or traumatic situations, and sometimes it is simply the result of self-development and questioning the purpose of one's own actions. This is a mental crisis.
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Mental crisis – what is it?
A mental crisis, also known as an emotional crisis, is a strong reaction of the body to difficult, often sudden and destabilizing events. It requires us to adapt to this new reality, quickly re-evaluate our beliefs or change our lifestyle. Most often, we deal with it ourselves. Good examples here are identity crises that we all (or almost all) go through, such as teenage rebellion or a mid-life crisis.
However, an accumulation of sources of mental crisis can lead to overload, and consequently, among other things, to depression or post-traumatic stress disorder. It is worth knowing how to recognize it in order to take control at the right moment.
In short: we all go through crises and mostly deal with them ourselves. However, too much on our minds can turn into a disorder – then help will be needed. To reach for it at the right moment, we must be able to define crises for ourselves.
A mental crisis is not a disorder
A mental crisis is not a disorder, and a disorder is not a crisis. Crises are more common – they happen to practically everyone.
And while crises are natural, the reaction to them can either lead to emotional development or to a deepening of a poor state.
A mental crisis is not an illness, but a turning point. A point at which we face a choice: whether and how we will change our lives. Erich Lindemann and Gerard Caplan – specialists who were among the first to study crises – argued that they are a natural part of life. They arise when we do not have sufficient resources (knowledge, experience, coping mechanisms) to deal with a new situation.
Mental crisis – what can cause it?
According to specialists, a serious mental crisis can be caused by:
- environmental factors (cataclysm, war, economic collapse),
- situational factors (relationship breakdown, loss of a loved one, job change),
- existential factors (development of self-awareness, which leads to questioning one's current lifestyle or chosen path).
What are the symptoms? Both headaches or breathing difficulties, as well as emotional swings or concentration problems. The crisis itself is divided into several stages.
These are shock, increased emotional tension, mobilization, and new orientation.
Each of us can react differently. And not every turning point can be resolved independently.
In the third phase, when negative emotions reach a critical point, external support may become necessary. Remember: such intervention is not psychotherapy, but help in solving a specific problem – even a few conversations with a psychologist may suffice here.
Because when a crisis turns into a long-lasting poor mental state, it can lead to the development of disorders such as:
- depression,
- post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),
- addictions,
- eating disorders,
- self-harm.
So, react quickly. And either seek help yourself, or ask a loved one to do so.
This article was created in cooperation with the Nie Widać Po Mnie Foundation, which is a Mobile Vikings Partner in the 12th edition of Lifeboats. Why a mobile operator decided to fight depression, you can find out on the page SzalupyRatunkowe.pl/Drop-the-burden.
Also check out:
- How does psychoeducation work?
- Stereotypical thinking about depression – fight it
- Masks of depression – how to recognize them
- Where to seek help?
Article fact-checked by experts from the Nie Widać Po Mnie Foundation.
Sources:
- Erich Lindemann. Symptomatology and managment of acute grief. „The American Journal of Psychiatry”. 101, p. 141–148, 1944.
- Gerald Caplan: Principles of Preventive Psychiatry. New York: Basic Books, 1964. ISBN 978-0422982702.
- Helena Sęk: Social Clinical Psychology. Warsaw: PWN, 2000, p. 486–490. ISBN 83-01-10241-1.
- Dictionary of Foreign Words. Warsaw 1980, p. 404
- https://sjp.pwn.pl/slowniki/kryzys.html
- Wiesław Otwinowski, Crisis and Crisis Situation, Scientific-Methodical Review. Education for Security no. 2 2010, p. 83-89
