The dynamics of the high-spin-->low-spin intersystem crossing process in iron(II) spin-crossover compounds are strongly influenced by cooperative effects of elastic origin which are due to the large difference in volume between high-spin and low-spin complexes. The deviation from first order kinetics is attributed to a build-up of an internal pressure as the relaxation proceeds, leading to a characteristic self-acceleration. The elastic interactions may lead to a light-induced bistability for systems which otherwise remain in the high-spin state down to cryogenic temperatures.