Why Is Everybody ‘Crashing Out’? A Clinical Psychologist Tells Us How To Spot The Signs

You’re tired, and not just in the “slept late, need kopi” way. Maybe you’re zoning out mid-convo. Maybe everything you used to love suddenly feels too heavy. You’ve got 19 unread messages, five things due, and zero motivation. Every day feels like a chore, and you’re on the verge of tapping out.

The question is: Are you crashing out, or are you burnt out? They might sound similar, but they’re (obviously) not the same. Knowing the difference is key to recovery.

What is crash out?

Traditionally, crash out refers to that sudden shutdown where your brain and body say, “I can’t.” It usually hits right after an intense high, like a major project submission, a packed week of events, or even a fun holiday that was just a bit too full on. It’s your nervous system short-circuiting from too much stimulation.

Nowadays, crash out, as clinical psychologist Dr Annabelle Chow puts it, “has taken on a more emotional tone.” This new usage generally points towards “losing control emotionally, having a meltdown, or acting impulsively” and it is “usually because of feelings of overwhelm, stress, or sensory overload.”

Crashing out can feel like extreme fatigue, brain fog, irritability, or even emotional numbness. You might stop replying messages, cancel plans, or binge content for hours while feeling zero joy. Most people bounce back within a few days once they get some proper, no-obligation, no-stimulation downtime.

But if it doesn’t go away, it might be burnout

“​​If you find yourself crashing out regularly or needing extreme downtime just to function again, it could be an early warning sign that burnout is approaching. Frequent crash outs can point to unsustainable habits or coping strategies. If left unaddressed, these cycles can accumulate and lead to full burnout over time,” says Dr Chow.

Burnout is slower, quieter, and more insidious. It creeps up over weeks or months of chronic stress. It happens when you’re constantly pushing through, even when you’re running on empty. You start noticing that you’re tired all the time and nothing excites you. Your work, your studies, even hanging out with friends, start to feel meaningless.

Like a kind of emotional withdrawal, you might find yourself going through the motions, unable to focus, feeling cynical or numb. Some people start making careless mistakes at work or school. Others just lose their motivation entirely.

Burnout often happens when there’s no space to rest or recover. Maybe you’re in a toxic workplace, maybe you’re carrying way too much emotional labour, or maybe you just haven’t given yourself permission to stop.

In Singapore, this is increasingly common among Gen Z. A 2024 Wellness at Work report found that Gen Z is the most burnt-out generation here, with 68 per cent feeling burned out in the past three months because of work.

Why this burnout distinction matters

“While a crash out is more acute and temporary, burnout signals a deeper and chronic imbalance in how we are living and working. Both are important signs that something needs to change,” shares Dr Chow.

After recognising what you are experiencing, the way you respond needs to match the issue. If you’re crashing out, the best thing you can do is stop everything for a bit. Let yourself rest. Eat something nourishing. Give yourself permission to be still. Not productive, not improving, just existing.

Dr Chow advised doing some reflection after you feel more rested “to support longer-term wellbeing and avoid repeated crash outs.” These include questions like what led to the crash, where your boundaries are, and what you need moving forward.

But if you’re burnt out, rest alone might not be enough. You’ll need to look at your habits and routines. Do you have any real recovery time built into your week, or are you squeezing in “self-care” like it’s another to-do item?

You may also need support, whether from friends, your school or workplace, or a mental health professional. The sad truth is, burnout doesn’t just go away with sleep. It often needs deeper reflection and change.

“If your burnout is tied to work or caregiving, explore whether there’s room to adjust your responsibilities or challenge unrealistic expectations. Even small changes can reduce pressure and support recovery,” suggests Dr Chow.

Whether you’re crashing out or burnt out, the most important thing is you’re not broken. You’re most definitely not weak. You’re responding to real pressure in very human ways. The goal isn’t to be “back to normal” but to rebuild a version of life where you don’t have to keep breaking down to rest.