The article describes the results of theoretical analysis of crisis through the acmeological approach. The integration of different views on a crisis by philosophers, historians, sociologists and psychologists allowed us to define the features of crisis in individual life and social development. There were shown: 1) the difference between crisis, acme, katabole and catharsis; 2) the foundation of ideal as central concept of this problem; 3) the classification of crisis overcoming stages. On the first stage (entering crisis), person doubts and criti­cizes his/her previous ideal. On the second stage (stabilization and refund), person tries to find the reasons of his/her fails. On the third stage (reevaluation and catharsis), person creates the new ideal im­age of his/her future.