Crises can take many forms. A situational crisis tends to be one that was unpredicted, sudden and largely caused by external circumstances. Some crises are due to significant changes (e.g., divorce, job change, or changes due to world events, such as war or pandemic); to significant losses (e.g., death of a loved one, loss of health with grave illness or loss of property or work); or to life-changing choices (i.e., decision-making at life’s crossroads). 

Transitional crises are more predictable in nature and can be a necessary part of one’s personal development and maturation. They come part and parcel with events relating to biological development (e.g., puberty, menopause, andropause, “mid-life crisis” and old age) or social development (first domestic partner, new career or employment, marriage, descendants, retirement).  

An existential crisis can be distinguished from the above-mentioned crises, although it may accompany or follow another crisis.  The existential crisis concerns, say, philosophical or deeper themes and values of human existence, such as human mortality, loneliness and loss of the meaning of life.