What Is Teen Crashing Out? Signs, Causes, & Treatment for Emotional Overload
If you’ve spent any time on social media recently, you’ve most likely seen the “Public Crash Out” compilations. These are clips of people acting out in public, usually through anger or some kind of highly charged emotion, which usually spread quickly.
Taken out of context, some of these explosive reactions can come across as amusing, but we’re rarely given the chance to look below the surface. In other words, there’s rarely any follow-up to explain why the person acted this way or what was happening emotionally.
Yet, crashing out may be a symptom of a cause for concern.
If you or someone you care about is dealing with uncontrollable emotional outbursts, professional support can help you better understand and cope with underlying causes. This guide can also help you grasp the concept of crashing out by exploring:
- What crashing out is
- What crashing out looks like
- What causes Crash Outs in teens
- If Crash Outs are linked to a mental health crisis
- What you should do if a Crash Out leads to a crisis
- What you should do if your teen is experiencing a crisis
- Where to find the right treatment for uncontrollable emotions
What Is Teen Crashing Out and What Does It Look Like?
Crashing out is a way of describing what happens when emotions spill over and feel impossible to contain. It’s the moment when stress, anger, or anxiety builds so high that it bursts out in ways you might not have expected. Everyone has limits, and crashing out is what it looks like when those limits are pushed too far.
Sometimes, these crashes come out loud and obvious, but other times they’re quiet – yet still heavy. To get a clearer picture, here are a few ways crashing out might show up:
- “Blowing up” at a friend over something small, only to realize later it wasn’t really about them
- Breaking objects or shouting at people in frustration because you don’t know what else to do with your anger
- Breaking down in tears in a place where you didn’t plan to (such as at school or in public) because stress finally became too much
- Shutting down completely and disappearing into your room or the online world, rather than facing what feels overwhelming
Crashing out doesn’t look the same for everyone, but the common thread is that emotions control you instead of the other way round.
What Causes a Crash Out in Teens?
A Crash Out usually means a person has reached the point where their emotions are too heavy to carry, and something inside finally gives way. There are so many variables to this kind of behavior, and when you add being a teen into the mix, it only makes things more complicated.
The following are some of the variables that should be considered when attempting to understand why Crash Outs are more than just temper tantrums:
Autonomy Frustration
Autonomy frustration is the experience of being forced into someone else’s way of doing things, leaving little room for personal choice. Research shows that when this happens, motivation and focus bear the brunt, and this effect can bleed into everyday life.1 Over time, this constant drag can become heavy to carry, and when the pressure finally tips over, it may show itself as crash-out-like behavior. Basically, there’s no energy left to keep the emotional outbursts contained.
As a teen, you may feel as though you’re faced with a lot of autonomy frustration. This might look like parents setting limits you don’t agree with, or even the changes in your own body making emotions harder to manage. All of this can leave you feeling restricted, which is why Crash Outs may be more common within your age group.
Anger management issues
Sometimes the cause of Crash Outs can be simple: Anger can come fast and strong, and once it’s there, it’s tough to rein it back in. This doesn’t mean a teen is “angry by nature.” It means their emotions can rush to the surface and, without the right skills, overflow in a way that feels impossible to stop. It might be a slammed door or even silence that freezes everyone out; anger can show up in ways that quickly spiral into a crash.
Mental health conditions
When looking at Crash Outs through a wider lens, mental health conditions can’t be ignored. In fact, many mental health issues may cause a person to show Crash Out type behaviors, including:
Depression: Depression can flatten energy until irritability bursts through like the only outlet left.2- Anxiety: This condition can wind thoughts so tightly that one more worry could tip everything over.3
- Bipolar disorder: This can bring surges of mood and energy that feel like emotional whiplash.4
- Borderline Personality Disorder: BPD can make even small triggers feel like explosions.5
Unresolved trauma
Other times, the roots of Crash Outs may lie in the past. Trauma that left you feeling unsafe doesn’t always stay buried. A harsh word or a sudden rejection can pull difficult memories straight back to the surface, and the emotions tied to them may arrive like a flood.6 To anyone watching, a Crash Out may look like “overreacting.” But for the teen experiencing it, the reaction is about far more than the present moment.
Can Crash Outs Be Viewed as a Mental Health Crisis?
A mental health crisis isn’t defined by one exact behavior; in fact, it centers around whether someone’s emotions and actions put them at risk or leave them unable to function safely.7 In this light, repeated Crash Outs could signal that someone is overwhelmed in ways that can’t be ignored. For instance, they may cause harm to others through aggression, or direct it inwards through self-destructive behavior. Sometimes a Crash Out in this context is subtler, like withdrawing from school, avoiding friends, or shutting down completely, but the impact is still severe.
Adolescence is already a time when emotions run high and the brain is still learning how to regulate them. Therefore, Crash Outs that happen again and again shouldn’t just be dismissed as “teen drama.” Instead, they should be viewed as the first visible sign of deeper struggles with issues like depression, anxiety, or trauma. When the ability to cope is repeatedly lost, it can tip into crisis because the teen no longer feels they have control over themselves.8
Instead of brushing Crash Outs off as something to laugh about, we can view them as warning signals. These signals are chances to step in, offer support, and prevent things from escalating further. Therefore, what starts as a Crash Out could become the moment that sparks real help.
What Should I Do if I Feel Like I’m Experiencing a Mental Health Crisis?
When a Crash Out turns into a mental health crisis, it can feel like everything is happening at once, and you don’t know what to do next. Having a few simple steps in mind can make it easier to get through those moments safely.9 The following steps might help:
1. Tell Someone You Trust Right Away
Reach out to a parent, carer, teacher, coach, or another adult you feel safe with. Let them know you’re struggling and need support. You don’t have to explain everything perfectly; even just saying “I’m not okay right now” is enough to start.
2. Make Sure You’re Safe
If you feel like you might hurt yourself or others, call emergency services or find an urgent care center immediately. Staying safe comes before anything else.
3. Remove Yourself From the Trigger if Possible
If the situation allows, step away from what’s overwhelming you. That might mean leaving a room, putting your phone down, or taking a short walk to give yourself space to breathe.
4. Focus on Calming Your Body
Try grounding techniques like slow breathing, counting objects around you, or holding something solid in your hands. These won’t solve the crisis, but they can lower the intensity enough to reach out for further help.
5. Call Emergency Services if You’re in Danger
We already refer to this in step 2, but if you ever feel like you’re about to harm yourself, or the situation feels unsafe and out of control, call emergency services straight away. It might feel daunting, but it’s the quickest way to get immediate help and keep yourself safe.
Remember: a mental health crisis isn’t something you have to go through alone. The most important step is always reaching out to someone older and trusted who can support you through it.
What Should I Do if My Teen Is Experiencing a Mental Health Crisis?
1. Stay Calm and Listen
Your teen may already feel out of control, so meeting their intensity with your own can make things worse. Aim to keep your voice steady, avoid judgment, and let them know you hear them.
2. Ensure Immediate Safety
If your teen is at risk of harming themselves or others, call emergency services straight away. Safety takes priority over everything else.
3. Reduce the Immediate Pressure
Help them step away from the situation that’s triggering the crash. That might mean leaving a crowded space, turning off their phone, or finding a quieter environment where they can breathe.
4. Encourage Grounding Techniques
Guide them toward something that calms the body, like initiating deep breaths together or counting slowly. Again, these techniques won’t solve the crisis, but can lower the intensity enough for the next step.
5. Arrange Follow-up Support
Once the crisis has passed, make sure there’s a plan in place for ongoing help. This may mean booking an appointment with a therapist, connecting with school counseling, or exploring outpatient programs that teach coping skills and emotional regulation.
Most importantly, remind your teen that needing help isn’t a weakness. Crashing out can be a sign that their system is overloaded, and with the right support, they can learn healthier ways to manage their intense emotions.
How Mission Prep Can Help With Emotional Overload
A Crash Out in the moment can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to define your future. At Mission Prep, we help teens look beneath the behavior to understand what’s really driving these types of reactions.
Our programs are designed to give young people the tools they need to manage their emotions in healthier ways. For instance, CBT can help identify and challenge the thought patterns that feed into Crash Outs, while DBT builds the emotional regulation skills to stop reactions from spiraling.
Family therapy is another therapeutic tool used that brings parents into the process, so support doesn’t end when a session does. This form of therapy can help parents understand the problems happening under the surface, as well as how to practice techniques to deal with any potential future issues.
For some, stepping away from their usual environment is the reset they need. Our inpatient locations provide the space to focus fully on recovery, supported by therapists who work to build coping skills and strengthen confidence in handling tough emotions.
Crashing out doesn’t have to be a cycle that repeats itself. With the right support, balance can be restored and healthier ways of coping can be put in place. If you or your teen is ready to take the next step, contact our team to make sure it happens.
Frequently Asked Questions About Teen Crashing Out
While this article aimed to give you a thorough overview about what teen crashing out is and how it can impact them emotionally, you may still have some burning questions. For this reason, we’ve provided some responses to FAQs on teen Crash Outs.
How Can I Stop Crashing Out Emotionally?
Stopping Crash Outs means recognizing when stress is building before it tips over. Step back, use calming strategies, and talk with someone you trust. Over time, therapy can help uncover triggers and teach healthier ways to release emotions.
What Does It Mean to Crash Out Mentally?
Crashing out mentally means your system has hit overload. Stress, anxiety, or emotions pile up until you can’t cope, leading to shutdowns or outbursts. It’s less about weakness and more about reaching the limit of what you can handle.
What Does Crashing Out Mean in Gen Z?
For Gen Z, crashing out often describes emotional overload made public. This might look like posting an online rant, disappearing from social spaces, or blowing up in real life. It reflects a generation under pressure, struggling with heavy expectations.
References
- Fang, H., Wan, X., Zheng, S., & Meng, L. (2020). The Spillover Effect of Autonomy Frustration on Human Motivation and Its Electrophysiological Representation. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2020.00134
- Sahu, A., Gupta, P., & Chatterjee, B. (2014). Depression is more than just sadness: A case of excessive anger and its management in depression. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 36(1), 77. https://doi.org/10.4103/0253-7176.127259
- Keyes, K. M., McLaughlin, K. A., Vo, T., Galbraith, T., & Heimberg, R. G. (2015). Anxious and aggressive: The co-occurrence of IED with anxiety disorders. Depression and Anxiety, 33(2), 101–111. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.22428
- Mesbah, R., Bles, N., Rius‐Ottenheim, N., Does, A. J. W., Penninx, B. W. J. H., Hemert, A. M., Leeuw, M., Giltay, E. J., & Koenders, M. (2021). Anger and cluster B personality traits and the conversion from unipolar depression to bipolar disorder. Depression and Anxiety, 38(6), 671–681. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.23137
- Scott, L. N., Wright, A. G. C., Beeney, J. E., Lazarus, S. A., Pilkonis, P. A., & Stepp, S. D. (2017). Borderline personality disorder symptoms and aggression: A within-person process model. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 126(4), 429–440. https://doi.org/10.1037/abn0000272
- Scott, L. N., Wright, A. G. C., Beeney, J. E., Lazarus, S. A., Pilkonis, P. A., & Stepp, S. D. (2017). Borderline personality disorder symptoms and aggression: A within-person process model. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 126(4), 429–440. https://doi.org/10.1037/abn0000272
- Mind. (2020). Crisis services | Mind, the mental health charity – help for mental health problems. Mind.org.uk. https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/crisis-services/
- American Academy of Pediatrics. (2020). Helping adolescents feel in control during stressful times: Pediatric mental health minute series. AAP. https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/mental-health-minute/helping-adolescents-feel-in-control-during-stressful-times/
- Hart, L. M., Morgan, A. J., Rossetto, A., Kelly, C. M., Mackinnon, A., & Jorm, A. F. (2018). Helping adolescents to better support their peers with a mental health problem: A cluster-randomised crossover trial of teen Mental Health First Aid. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 52(7), 638–651. https://doi.org/10.1177/0004867417753552
- National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2025, July 29). What to do if your child is in crisis. NAMI. https://www.nami.org/kids-teens-and-young-adults/kids-and-parents/what-to-do-if-your-child-is-in-crisis/
