Inside TikTok’s Trend of ‘Crashing Out’
by Riona McGrath
The TikTok trend “crashing out” has been going viral for the past year, but what does it really mean? Well, “Crashing Out” refers to sudden emotional breakdowns or outbursts triggered by stress, frustration, or emotional overload. It’s gained popularity, especially among Gen Z, who use the term to describe moments of intense emotional release, such as crying, venting, withdrawing, or shutting down, often shared openly online.
This trend reflects a larger shift in how young people express mental health struggles. On the positive side, “crashing out” helps normalize vulnerability, offering validation and catharsis. It gives language to feeling overwhelmed, connection through shared experiences, and promotes openness around mental health.
However, there are serious concerns. Experts warn that normalizing frequent emotional breakdowns without offering healthy coping tools may lead to emotional dysregulation. The trend also risks becoming performative and driven by social media engagement rather than genuine healing. Sharing breakdowns for attention or validation may undermine recovery, and repeated crash-outs could indicate deeper issues like anxiety or depression.
The trend of “crashing out” is also deeply intertwined with the culture of overachievement that defines our daily lives, especially among students. In a world that glorifies hustle culture, constant productivity, and relentless self-improvement, overachievement has become the norm rather than the exception. Many people feel pressured to excel in every area of their lives, including academics, career, fitness, and social presence, leaving little room for genuine rest or imperfection. This constant striving often leads to chronic stress and emotional exhaustion, creating a cycle where individuals push themselves beyond their limits until they inevitably “crash out.” Rather than pacing their efforts or setting sustainable boundaries, overachievers tend to ignore early signs of burnout, viewing rest as weakness or laziness.
This is where our team at Real Life Counselling can help. Although sharing your emotions openly online can temporarily release anxiety and pressure, you are opening yourself to a large online platform can allow you to face backlash or even be given bad mental health advice. These issues are why therapy is so important. Our therapists at Real Life Counselling allow you to “Crash Out” in a safe environment where we are trained to help you and work through sensitive topics with registered counsellors and psychotherapists.
If you feel that you are too busy or are not ready to talk to someone, there are some tips that Real Life Counselling recommends for stress management or “Crashing Out”. Understanding your causes of stress and what often causes it.
- Understanding how it emerges in your life
- Learning new approaches and establishing more effective stress reduction tactics that work for you personally
- Identifying and applying your particular skills to effectively cope
- Accessing and changing how you think about difficult circumstances
Although life can be incredibly busy and overwhelming, it is so important that you never forget to reflect and be proud of yourself. Remember how far you have come and that you have gotten through every hardship in your life so far, so don’t let anything else stop you. You are what is most important, not your accomplishments, so if you are feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or feel like “Crashing Out”, visit Real Life Counselling to learn more and book a consultation today. Your mental health matters, Canada!