Even though mental health crises are frequently misdiagnosed or disregarded, they can be just as stressful and potentially fatal as physical health emergencies. When someone hits their breaking point, the consequences can be severe, regardless of the cause—a build-up of ongoing stress, unexpectedly catastrophic events, or underlying mental health issues. Supporting those impacted by mental health crises and promoting a culture that values mental health on par with physical health require an understanding of what defines a crisis and how to handle it.
A Mental Health Crisis: What Is It?
When someone’s emotional or psychological state deteriorates to the point where they are unable to function in daily life, that person is said to be experiencing a mental health crisis. Extreme emotional discomfort, panic, worry, or hopelessness are some of its manifestations, and they might result in aggressive, withdrawing, or self-harming behaviors. A mental health crisis can be caused by a variety of circumstances, some of which are as common as extended stress, trauma, significant life changes, or the worsening of pre-existing mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety disorders, or bipolar disorder.
Because mental health crises don’t usually have obvious symptoms, things tend to get worse before getting help. While some endure in silence and hide their suffering beneath an air of normalcy, others may behave erratically and suddenly. Early symptom recognition is essential to averting a complete collapse. These signs could consist of:
severe anxiety or panic episodes
extreme fluctuations in mood
Uncontrollably furious or angry
Suicidal or self-harming thoughts
Absence from close relationships or pursuits
Feeling lost or perplexed
A Mental Health Crisis’s Effects
A person’s entire life may be impacted when their mental health deteriorates to the point of no return. Untreated mental health crises can have disastrous effects, including the loss of a career, unstable finances, strained relationships, and, in certain situations, an increased chance of suicide.
Individuals going through a crisis could resist getting help because they feel alone and ashamed. The stigma associated with mental health problems frequently makes prompt intervention impossible. However, mental health crises are indications of severe pressure or a failing mental state, similar to how a heart attack indicates a serious medical illness. They are not signs of weakness or personal failure.
The path to this breaking point is typically a long one for many, comprising years of unresolved trauma, untreated mental illness, or years of emotional pressure. In other cases, a crisis may appear out of nowhere and be brought on by a single occurrence, such as the death of a loved one, a serious accident, or losing one’s job. Either way, there is an increased danger of injury to oneself or others when the mind reaches a breaking point, necessitating prompt medical attention and care.
Reasons and Danger Elements
There are a number of things that can make someone more likely to go through a mental health crisis. Frequently, a culmination of these components leads to a breaking point. Typical causes include some of the following:
Chronic Stress Extended periods of stress, whether brought on by job demands, money problems, or caregiving obligations, can gradually weaken a person’s capacity for emotional resilience. Stress can cause an individual to feel more and more overwhelmed, which might result in burnout or a crisis.
Trauma Whether they occur in childhood or adulthood, traumatic experiences can have a lasting impact on a person’s mental health. These may consist of aggression, abuse, neglect, mishaps, or the death of a loved one. Untreated trauma has the potential to return under stressful situations and cause a breakdown.
Mental Illness Individuals who suffer from underlying mental health issues such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety, or depression are more likely to go through crises. External demands, medication imbalances, and environmental factors can all cause fluctuations in their mental health.
Unexpected Life Shifts A number of life events, such as divorce, the death of a family member, job loss, or simply relocating to a new place, might set off a crisis. These adjustments have the potential to upend a person’s feeling of security and stability and push them beyond their emotional threshold.
Substance Abuse Abuse of drugs or alcohol has the potential to both cause and worsen mental health issues. Although drugs and alcohol might provide a momentary reprieve from emotional suffering, they eventually deteriorate mental health, increasing the risk of addiction and other problems.
How to Handle a Crisis in Mental Health
To protect someone who has reached a breaking point in their mental health, quick intervention is required. Although every crisis is different, there are a few actions that can be taken to provide support and defuse the situation:
1. Acknowledge the Emergency
Identifying the symptoms of a mental health crisis is the first step in managing it. It’s critical to remain aware of any changes in behavior, emotional state, or physical state. Family members, acquaintances, or coworkers must be alert to the warning signs because the individual going through a crisis frequently cannot express their distress verbally. It’s critical to treat someone seriously who appears to be experiencing a crisis rather than writing it off as a “bad day.”
2. Establish a Secure Environment
When there is a crisis, safety should come first. Take away anything that could be used to hurt them, including sharp items, drugs, or guns, if they are exhibiting signs of suicidal thoughts or self-harm. It’s crucial to maintain your composure and refrain from criticizing or starting disputes that could worsen the issue. Instead, be patient and empathetic when you approach the person.
3. Get Expert Assistance
Professional help is necessary in many circumstances. This can entail getting in touch with a therapist, a mental health crisis hotline, or, in extreme circumstances, emergency services. Mental health practitioners are qualified to handle emergencies and deliver prompt, efficient care. If the person is unwilling to ask for assistance, it’s crucial to gently urge them and reassure them that they are not alone instead of exerting too much pressure.
4. Promote stability and self-care
After the acute crisis has passed, it’s critical that the person starts to rehabilitate their emotional strength. Therapy, pharmaceutical administration, and the development of constructive coping strategies like exercise, mindfulness, or creative outlets may all be part of this. Stabilizing the person can also be facilitated by a strong support system, which can include friends, family, and support groups.
5. Create a Plan for Emergencies
Creating a crisis plan can be a very helpful tool for people who have already gone through a mental health crisis or who are at risk of experiencing one in the future. A crisis plan specifies what to do, who to call, what to do, and useful coping mechanisms in the event that indications of a breakdown manifest. This preventive measure can lessen the impact of upcoming emergencies and offer a clear path through trying times.
Diminishing the Myth
The stigma associated with mental health crises is one of the biggest obstacles to their management. Many people with mental health problems are reluctant to ask for the help they require because they are humiliated or fear judgment from others. Society needs to learn more about mental health and develop greater empathy for individuals who are struggling in order to lessen the stigma associated with it.
Breaking down the barriers to mental health care can be greatly aided by having open discussions about mental illness in both public and personal settings. In order to avoid mental health crises, it is crucial to promote early help-seeking behavior, make affordable mental health services accessible, and build supportive communities.
In summary
Although going through a mental health crisis might be extremely stressful, it is not impossible to get through. People can heal and develop resilience, averting more crises, with early detection, intervention, and a solid support system. In order to guarantee that individuals who are on the verge of breaking obtain the support they require and deserve, it is imperative to comprehend the underlying causes, identify the warning indications, and offer compassionate treatment. By doing this, we can promote mental wellbeing and lessen the effects of mental health crises on society.
