A distinction is made between life crises which are considered more common upheavals in one's life that can cause adaptation difficulties, and traumatic crises where, for example, sudden death occurs in the closest people, or one experiences accidents/catastrophes of some kind. Traumatic crises can be particularly difficult to move on from, and can in some cases develop into a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Load reaction is a psychological response to crisis. You can have a stress reaction in response to a traumatic crisis where someone you love dies and you are in mourning. You can also develop a stress reaction as a result of being involved in a dramatic accident or being hit by a natural disaster. But stress reactions can also occur due to more common circumstances such as a breakup in a relationship, moving to a new place, or being laid off from your job.
A critical event can be soul-shaking and is often associated with a significant change in one's life. Often, life crises and stress reactions represent a transition to a different kind of life, sometimes with an adjustment in one's identity and status.
Major changes in one's lifestyle will cause discomfort for most people, especially if the change is involuntary. However, it is possible, among other things, through therapy to find ways to deal with the changes where one creates mental and emotional space for the new circumstances. Gradually, one can create a meaningful everyday life where the changes are part of the new everyday life.
If this is a problem you are struggling with and would like help moving forward, we would like to hear from you. Send us an email or call us and we will find out how we can best help you.