Yes, a mental breakdown (often a severe reaction to stress or trauma) can significantly alter your personality, leading to shifts in worldview, priorities, interests, and behavior, making you feel like a different person, but these changes can often be managed and an authentic self rebuilt through therapy and self-awareness. These aren't usually permanent personality disorders but rather intense emotional symptoms from conditions like PTSD or adjustment disorders, which can be treated with therapy (CBT, EMDR), medication, and coping strategies.
It's not always clear how long it may take to recover. Everyone has different stressors and coping ability. If the cause of your nervous breakdown has been diagnosed and you receive treatment, your symptoms should improve within 6 months. It is important to maintain good mental health and seek help when you need it.
The first stage of a mental breakdown, often starting subtly, involves feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and increasingly anxious or irritable, coupled with difficulty concentrating, changes in sleep/appetite, and withdrawing from activities or people that once brought joy, all stemming from intense stress that becomes too much to handle.
A mental breakdown interferes with daily life in a way that affects normal functioning. For instance, those affected can withdraw socially and become depressed, affecting their relationships, career, and more. They can also shake your sense of self and make you question who you are.
According to Curtis, emotional and mental breakdowns are functionally the same, but the other potentially involves more anxiety. Both can limit your ability to do anything. An emotional or nervous breakdown means a breaking point when we feel too overwhelmed to go about our day-to-day activities.
Call in sick to work for days or longer. Avoid social events and miss appointments. Have trouble eating, sleeping or staying clean. Talk about feeling completely hopeless or helpless.
A meltdown is typically a short-term reaction to immediate stressors, while a nervous breakdown is often the result of prolonged psychological stress, leading to severe emotional and physical symptoms that can last for days, weeks, or longer.
Emotional Breakdown Symptoms
Crippling anxiety is one of the hallmark signs of a nervous breakdown. It goes beyond everyday stress and can include persistent worry, panic attacks or an overwhelming sense of dread. This level of anxiety can interfere with daily activities and decision-making.
Hitting rock bottom is an overwhelming experience characterized by deep despair and hopelessness. Individuals often feel trapped in a dark pit, unable to escape despite their efforts. This state is common among those with substance use disorders, long-term psychological stress, or untreated mental health conditions.
According to recent studies, Emotional Trauma and PTSD do cause both brain and physical damage. Neuropathologists have seen overlapping effects of physical and emotional trauma upon the brain.
You can only be given medication after an initial 3-month period in either of the following situations: You consent to taking the medication. A SOAD confirms that you lack capacity. You haven't given consent, but a SOAD confirms that this treatment is appropriate to be given.
Five key warning signs of mental illness include significant mood changes (extreme highs/lows, persistent sadness), withdrawal from friends/activities, major changes in sleep or eating habits, difficulty coping with daily problems or stress, and thoughts of self-harm or suicide, alongside other indicators like substance abuse, confusion, or changes in hygiene. These signs often represent a noticeable shift in behavior, functioning, and emotional state that impacts daily life.
Yes, crying can be a common symptom of a mental breakdown, with excessive crying being a sign of intense and unprocessed stress, anxiety, depression, and more.
The symptoms of depression can be complex and vary widely between people. If you're depressed, you may feel sad, hopeless and lose interest in things you used to enjoy. The symptoms persist for weeks or months and are bad enough to interfere with your work, social life and family life.
The Importance of Social Support after a Nervous Breakdown
Getting back to normal, or to a healthier lifestyle, after having a breakdown should involve increasing your social support and time spent with others. Socializing is a natural way to combat stress.
The five stages of a mental breakdown include: The honeymoon phase – The first stage of a nervous breakdown is referred to as the “honeymoon” stage and is particularly noticeable when undertaking new work responsibilities or initiatives. There are no warning signs of a nervous breakdown at this time.
Five common signs of poor mental health include persistent sadness or extreme mood swings, withdrawing from friends and activities, significant changes in sleep or appetite, difficulty concentrating or coping with daily life, and neglecting personal hygiene or having unusual thoughts like paranoia or hallucinations. Recognizing these changes in yourself or others, especially when they're prolonged or interfere with daily functioning, signals a need for support.
Each person experiences this type of mental health crisis in their own way. However, for many, a nervous breakdown causes some or all of the following mental and emotional symptoms: Withdrawing, including skipping work, missing appointments, avoiding favorite activities and not wanting to leave home.
Mood changes — Rapid or dramatic shifts in emotions or depressed feelings, greater irritability. Withdrawal — Recent social withdrawal and loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed.
Don't: Pressure Them to “Snap Out of It”
Mental illness isn't something someone can just will away. Telling someone to “cheer up,” “be more positive,” or “push through it” can do more harm than good. Healing takes time, professional support, and often treatment. Your role isn't to fix them – it's to walk beside them.
An underactive, dysregulated nervous system can present different symptoms, such as low energy levels, sluggishness and reduced motivation. This can also lead to struggles with focus and attention, feeling lethargic, or being disconnected from surroundings.
Call your healthcare provider. If you feel you're in a crisis, call your healthcare provider right away. If you have thoughts of harming yourself, call 911 or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1.800. 273.
Signs You May Be Experiencing a Breakdown
Emotional changes: Sudden mood swings, irritability, panic attacks, or feeling emotionally detached. Cognitive issues: Trouble focusing or making decisions. Physical symptoms: Severe fatigue, sleep problems, headaches, stomach pain, or racing heart.
A nervous breakdown, in some cases, may require a hospital stay to stabilize and treat you. The reason for your hospitalization may include talking about suicides or death, violence toward others, self-harm, psychosis symptoms like hallucinations and delusions, and complete functioning instability.