In the eye of the storm
Life is unpredictable. Things can happen that change the conditions of life to such an extent that we can speak of a state of crisis. Some events have such force that we are caught off guard and thrown into the middle of the crisis. Deaths, divorces, illnesses and disasters can change life's circumstances from one day to the next. It can be these kinds of sudden powerful events that create the crisis, but also seemingly minor experiences that become the straw that breaks our back. It may have to do with our underlying experiences or another combination of factors that lead us into a crisis. In other cases, it is not possible to see what the origin is, suddenly the life crisis is just a fact. Perhaps we suddenly find ourselves in a new relationship with time. Our ageing creates a new framing of life and our decisions. Something catches up with us and shows us that what worked before no longer does. Or that it never worked and now needs to change. And once we are there, there is no avoiding it - the crisis demands our attention.
Getting through a crisis - and out of it
An existential crisis means that our life circumstances change in a drastic way. It may be that life 'catches up'. Avoidance, defenses and life lies that have worked for a long time now suddenly collapse. Perhaps we start questioning decisions that previously seemed obvious. It may be an existential guilt - that we are not living in line with our inherent ideals. It can also be rooted in grief, either over direct losses or over the fact that things didn't turn out the way we wanted in life. Or it may be about having to adapt to new conditions we did not ask for or expect. Dreams and plans for the future are no longer possible and life has to change direction. This can be exhausting, but it is not always a bad thing. The world we live in is constantly changing and this brings with it an inherent uncertainty. Crises come and go, sometimes we can resolve them on our own or with the help of a supportive environment. But there are also crises from which we are unable to emerge, and we may need help to look at them in new ways.
Psychotherapy in Gothenburg for crisis reactions
A perceived crisis can be an appropriate point to seek professional help from a psychologist. The crisis tells us that something in the current circumstances requires us to think about our situation. It is often an opportune moment to take time for real reflection on life and the decisions that lie ahead. Life changes tend to be easier to follow and adapt to when we can hear ourselves talk about what we are going through. Psychotherapy can create opportunities for just such reflection and re-evaluation. Feel free to contact us to book a conversation at the reception in Gothenburg.
