Discovering Life
Outside Emotional Crisis

Who would want a flat, dull life? The ups and downs in your life can indeed pose adversities, but these are also what can add colors in varying intensities to your life, contributing to it being more exciting and inspiring. In moderation this is fine. When too many things are going on, however, watch out because you can be at risk of an emotional crisis. When intense emotions are swamping your nerves, you could be overwhelmed in the process.

Conflicts at home and/or at work, breaking up with your spouse or partner, death or a serious ailment in the family, a huge financial disaster – these are just some of the things that can throw you “off course.” Blend in the birth of a baby, a job promotion that entails bigger and additional responsibilities, or moving to a new home or location, and you could be “scaling the walls,” feeling confused, overwhelmed, even helpless, stuck and frustrated.

There is no exact formula to what may trigger an emotional crisis, but a combination of several significant circumstances can be potent. There is also no reason for you to “sweat it out” or lie in wait for emotional crisis to take over your life. You have options. You can stay on top of the emotional crisis and gain a better understanding of your emotions with counseling.

The Truths You Must Face

There are many factors that can take you over the edge and that can contribute and combine to precipitate an emotional crisis. Which of these can impact you more seriously isn’t easy to tell because people have different thresholds and reactions to life events. The fact that there are so many potential events that can impact your life puts an emotional crisis as something that is not easy to determine or resolve.

The events, however, can only contribute and precipitate a crisis. What directly triggers an emotional crisis are your interpretations and reactions to these events. Since people have varying perceptions, experiences and personalities, what can inundate one’s emotions are different from one individual to another. For instance, a family member may have an easier time accepting the demise of your parent, but not you. Maybe you have other circumstances that are complicating your feelings, such as a demanding family life or career.

According to Perception Trainers, there are three basic reasons why emotional crisis can set-in in your life. One, you embrace something that isn’t you or your kind of truth. Engaging or taking on something you are not comfortable with can wreak havoc on your emotions. Two, you have received counseling and is confused with the results. The healing process may not come as easily as you wish as old feelings resurface. Three, “old tricks die hard,” so that shifting your ways could be too difficult for you to do.

Are You in Crisis?

Recognizing that you are struggling with an emotional crisis isn’t an easy thing to do or accept. For one, if you are in a crisis, your innate functioning to adjust could be repressed or overwhelmed. In addition, the symptoms are generally nonspecific and, therefore, will not point to emotional crisis right away.

Be vigilant about the basic ways the emotional crisis will manifest or present itself. One of the cues you must watch out for is the abrupt onset of an event or change, which could be something you do not want or aren’t prepared to accept at the moment. These are those events that may awaken intense feelings or leave you extremely unhappy, afraid, fidgety, angry, or anxious. Pay attention to the resurfacing of old habits or risky behaviors. These could be reactions to a worrisome stimulus or your way of diverting your attention from a negative or unwanted change. If your life feels like it is falling apart, waste no time – seek help from a counselor ASAP.

There are some signs to spot. The American Psychological Association suggests these common signs of emotional crisis to spot:

  • Neglect of personal hygiene.
  • Dramatic change in sleep habits, such a sleeping more often or not sleeping well.
  • Weight gain or loss.
  • Decline in performance at work or school.
  • Pronounced changes in mood, such as irritability, anger, anxiety or sadness.
  • Withdrawal from routine activities and relationships.

The responses to a noteworthy trigger may not always come readily, noticeably or promptly. For some people, the change in behaviors can happen gradually. If your reactions seem to be off kilter or unusual, or it is impacting your life in unhealthy or unproductive ways, seek professional help without delay.

The Risks It Carries

Emotional crisis can bring about a lot of adversities and it can be extremely difficult to resolve, especially without professional help. Unresolved, it runs the risk of worsening, activating a host of wide-ranging and undesirable symptoms and consequences. It can result in emotional overload, says the PsychGuides, contributing to “depression, anxiety, scattered or unfocused thinking, self-doubt, loss of motivation, lack of patience or irritability, and paranoia.”

The condition can potentially incapacitate your ability to adjust well to change, putting off your day-to-day functioning. This means that you may not be able to fulfill your tasks and obligations. Depression can result in your avoiding people. Anxiety can lead to loss of opportunities. At worse, you can engage in unhealthy behaviors. It will be catastrophic to think that the impact will always be rectifiable. Some can have deep or long-term effects brought about by poor life decisions, broken relationships, sleeplessness and eating issues, poor self-esteem, etc.

Ignored, the symptoms may also create serious repercussions, which you could have otherwise avoided had you sought professional intervention earlier. Trying to “fix your life” is part of human nature, so you may try and work through the complicating events or their consequences own your own. Unfortunately, without calmness and confidence, it is extremely challenging to extricate yourself from the deep, dark pit that your mistakes have created. Without a counselor to assist you, you may panic and sink deeper in your emotional crisis.

Going for the Best Option

In your eagerness to “fix” your life, you may explore several options. There is nothing wrong with self-help or seeking the help and support of your family and close friends. Do not, however, leave out the best option – seeking the assistance of a proficient counselor/therapist independently contracted with Carolina Counseling Services – Fuquay-Varina, NC.

Professional therapists are specially trained to understand your complex emotional and behavioral issues, assess your symptoms and risks, diagnose your condition, and design an intervention or treatment program that can meet your unique needs. Seeing a behavioral health professional achieves a critical importance, especially when the state of your emotional health has reached the crisis level. In North Carolina, emotional and behavioral health resources are available and accessible through a licensed counselor independently contracted with Carolina Counseling Services – Fuquay-Varina, NC.

If you (or a family member/friend) are currently struggling with an emotional crisis, pick up that phone or send CCS– Fuquay-Varina, NC an email to request an appointment. Seeking therapy is the best decision to best improve your behaviors and responses and to usher hope in the midst of emotional crisis. There is more to life than feeling excessively sad, hopeless, scared, worthless, etc. Call CCS now, so a right-fit independently contracted counselor can assist you in discovering the beautiful life outside emotional crisis.

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