The term ‘crashing out’ has been making the rounds on social media platforms like TikTok, but it is more than just internet slang. It describes a disturbing emotional response, typically a sudden outburst or meltdown, that reflects deep-rooted stress, mental exhaustion, and emotional dysregulation. According to mental health experts, this trend is becoming increasingly common among Gen-Z, those born between 1997 and 2012.
In essence, ‘crashing out’ is when someone hits their emotional breaking point. It could be a result of intense stress, emotional overwhelm, or even a complete shutdown of motivation. The behaviour may seem irrational or overblown from the outside but for the person experiencing it, it is an expression of pent-up emotional distress.
According to a 2024 Harmony Healthcare IT study, nearly half of Gen-Z reports experiencing mental health struggles, and one in three are on prescription medication for related issues. The generation is more open about mental health than any previous one, but that transparency also reveals a sobering reality, emotional burnout is widespread. Licensed clinical social worker Niro Feliciano explained to Today.com that crash outs often stem from a mix of high stress and low dopamine levels. “You’re feeling so stressed and overwhelmed that you either are reactive or unproductive and unmotivated,” she said. This reaction, whether through anger, crying, or complete withdrawal acts as a pressure release valve, but often comes at a cost.
While expressing emotions can be healthy, experts caution that “crashing out” should not be seen as a coping mechanism. “You get maybe a moment of feeling self-righteous. Or just venting, letting it all out and, in the moment that you do that, you do actually feel better. The problem is it typically has a cost,” said Feliciano. That cost can include damaged relationships, burnout, social isolation, or a worsening of mental health symptoms. Rebecca Hug, a clinical counselor and faculty member in clinical mental health counseling at the University of Phoenix, warns against normalising crash outs. “This mindset discourages the development of essential skills like self-regulation, resilience, and perspective-taking,” she told Vox.
How to recognize if you are about to crash out
Not sure if you’re nearing a crash out moment? Mental health professionals suggest watching for these early warning signs:
- Becoming short or irritable with others
- Feeling unusually reactive to minor issues
- Losing motivation or productivity
- Withdrawing or isolating yourself from people
What you can do instead
If these signs resonate with you, experts say the first step is surprisingly simple: take a deep breath. “I know this sounds incredibly simple, but there is so much power to taking one deliberate breath,” said psychologist Dr. Jill Stoddard. “Because in that space where you take a breath, a deliberate breath, you have a place to make a choice.” Beyond breathwork, speaking with a licensed therapist can help you build healthy emotional regulation tools and long-term coping strategies to manage stress without “crashing out.” While it’s easy to scroll past yet another emotional outburst on social media, the growing frequency of crash outs among Gen-Z points to a deeper mental health crisis, one that demands empathy, awareness, and actionable support.