A breakdown pushes you to take action. When you feel that bad, you're pretty motivated to get relief. This is a great time to start problem-solving.
In some instances, a mental breakdown may lead an individual into other types of mental health conditions such as self-harm or suicidal ideation. Also commonly known as a nervous breakdown, mental breakdowns are not generally considered to have a medical diagnosis.
Long-term stress can lead to structural changes in the brain, which can affect your memory and lead to difficulty concentrating. In extreme cases, too much cortisol can even lead to memory loss. For some people, excessive stress may cause insomnia, making it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep.
A nervous breakdown is ultimately caused by an inability to cope with large amounts of stress, but how that manifests exactly varies by individual. Work stress, mental illness, family responsibilities, and poor coping strategies are all things that can lead to a nervous breakdown and the inability to function normally.
Will I recover? It is possible to recover from mental health problems, and many people do – especially after accessing support. Your symptoms may return from time to time, but when you've discovered which self-care techniques and treatments work best for you, you're more likely to feel confident in managing them.
If you are concerned that you or a loved one is experiencing a nervous breakdown, it is important to seek help and to see a doctor or counsellor. Untreated mental illness can lead to longer lasting mental health problems, as well as social and physical problems.
According to Helpline, the most common symptoms of such a breakdown are depressive symptoms, such as loss of hope and thoughts of suicide or self-harm, anxiety with high blood pressure, tense muscles, clammy hands, dizziness, upset stomach, trembling, insomnia, hallucinations, extreme mood swings or unexplained ...
A nervous breakdown (also called a mental breakdown) isn't a mental health diagnosis, but it does cause sufferers to feel overwhelming stress, as if they're losing control. Stress life events and/or underlying mental health conditions, like depression, anxiety or PTSD, can precipitate a nervous breakdown.
An extreme sense of doom. Low energy and fatigue. Feelings of intense sadness, worry, anxiety, fear, or nervousness. Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, powerlessness, or shame.
Once you have been evaluated you can work with a psychiatrist or therapist to develop a treatment plan that will help you better cope with stress and avoid future crises. Depending on the severity of the crisis, you may want to consider a short stay in a residential treatment facility.
A nervous breakdown, which is a loss of the ability to function in everyday life, may last for a few hours or a few weeks.
Make sure both physically and emotionally the individual is in a safe place. Take away distractions and unnecessary things or people. Listen without judgment. A person enduring a nervous breakdown will be much more likely to listen to you if you approach them with a calm, non-judgemental attitude.
Some of these include sadness, worry, intense stress, changes in eating and sleeping habits, wanting to withdraw from friends and family, and feeling overwhelmed. It is crucial to identify and seek professional help to gain an understanding of what is causing or contributing to these feelings of mental distress.
Having a high-functioning mental health disorder means that despite experiencing persistent psychological distress, an individual is able to maintain their daily routines and meet societal expectations. They often excel in their careers, academics, or personal endeavors, which can mask their internal struggles.
A psychotic breakdown is any nervous breakdown that triggers symptoms of psychosis, which refers to losing touch with reality. Psychosis is more often associated with very serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia, but anyone can experience these symptoms if stress becomes overwhelming, triggering a breakdown.
You also connect deeply if you share your struggle with someone who has been there, or who is there right now (hello, support groups). A mental breakdown also builds relationships if you ask for help. Whether it's helping with emotional support or something tangible, that builds a bond with the helper.
Depression Increases Your Risk of Physical Illness
Depression increases your risk of a number of diseases and other conditions by, for example, increasing levels of stress hormones such as cortisol or adrenaline. Depression can affect the immune system, making it harder for your body to fight infection.
"When the body cannot handle emotional overload, it simply begins to shut down. And that is often manifested by a sense of extreme tiredness and fatigue," says Kalayjian.
Nervous breakdown isn't a medical term. What some people call a nervous breakdown may indicate a mental health problem that's causing a mental health crisis and needs attention. Two examples are depression and anxiety, which can be treated by medicines, talk therapy, also called psychotherapy, or both.
Treatment for a nervous breakdown may involve therapy, medication, and self-care or lifestyle changes. Working with a therapist can help someone manage negative emotions, explore the causes of those feelings, and change thoughts and behaviors to minimize stress and better cope with it.