3 Phases Of An Emotional Crisis
Quick action can be decisive in preventing the emotional crisis from taking a toll on the mental health of the affected person.
An emotional crisis can be a turning point. It is triggered by a situation that has disrupted our lives and it may take a while before we can overcome it.
Emotional crises can be very distressing, but unlike anxiety and chronic stress, they usually occur at specific times.
This type of crisis puts us before the dilemma of moving forward or backward to overcome the situation that caused it. But what are the phases of an emotional crisis? And, what are we going to find in each of them? These are some of the phases in which an emotional crisis can consist.
1. Paralysis in the face of emotional crisis
Paralysis could be one of the first reactions to an emotional crisis. When an unexpected situation affects us so much that it causes us an emotional crisis, we may barely react, and we go into shock .
Every perfectly organized world falls apart and we are paralyzed. There are so many emotions and confusion that we feel that we remain quiet, unconsciously, unable to find a solution.
The inability to react when something overwhelms us could actually be a self-defense mechanism. By paralyzing, we try to regain order within the sudden chaos.
Thus, all energy is now focused on ourselves, in an attempt to understand what has happened and make a decision.
2. Mental chaos
When the shock phase comes to an end, the phase of mental chaos or uncertainty may appear. This uncertainty arises as a result of the decisions we must make after an emotional crisis. It’s time to get going, but doubts overwhelm us.
What has happened? Where I am? These are some questions that a person with an emotional crisis can begin to ask themselves when trying to bring order out of chaos.
Some professionals call this feeling “confusional anxiety”. Thus, the person suffers momentary stress or anxiety that causes him to have a general feeling of confusion.
3. Fear of an unreal threat
In the third and final phase of an emotional crisis, the person may believe that an external threat is lurking. As a result of the emotional imbalance he suffers, he distrusts the outside world and the people who are by his side.
When a person reaches this stage, they may become aggressive, defensive or want to escape from the situation they are in, and they may use aggression if they hold back or feel very threatened.
The threat is not real. However, the emotional chaos of shock can lead to irrational panic.
When a person experiences an emotional crisis, even if they don’t put it into words, they may need help. In fact, during the crisis the person can be very receptive, so a quick intervention can restore some calm.
Is it necessary to seek help?
In short, these are the phases in which an emotional crisis could consist. However, each crisis, with its own trigger and in each person in particular, can consist of one or other phases.
The most important thing in these cases is knowing how to seek help when necessary. Psychotherapy can help a lot in these cases. If you act quickly, the person can regain stability in a short time.
It is essential to transmit calm, serenity as well as try to help the person to find order within the chaos. Have you ever been through an emotional crisis? Remember that, if these are recurrent, it is best to consult a psychologist.
