Guide from erstmalreden.de

What is a crisis?

A crisis does not automatically mean a diagnosis. Often it means: something is so stressful, uncertain, or dangerous right now that you should not stay alone with it.

A crisis can look different

Some people cry a lot, others keep functioning on the outside. Some hardly sleep, panic, feel empty, withdraw, or feel cut off inside. What matters is not how bad it looks from outside, but whether you feel safe and able to act.

Common features

A crisis is often unexpected, uncertain, threatening, or demands change. It can feel as if your usual ways no longer work. Then it helps to make the situation smaller: What is dangerous now? What can wait until tomorrow? Who can be involved today?

Many warning signs are played down

Thoughts like "I am overreacting", "others have it worse", or "I have to prove it is bad enough" are common. Still, you may seek help if sleep, daily life, work, school, eating, relationships, or safety are affected.

When urgent help matters

If you are in immediate danger, might harm yourself, someone else is at risk, or you cannot safely stay alone, this is not the moment for long searching. Real help matters: 112 in Germany for immediate danger, TelefonSeelsorge 116 123, or a nearby person who stays with you now.

What you can do now

  1. Check: am I or is someone else safe right now?
  2. Involve a real person.
  3. Use 112 in immediate danger in Germany.

erstmalreden.de offers orientation and wording support. It does not replace counseling, therapy, diagnosis, or emergency help.