Breakdown is a psychological collapse which is the result of stressors. Meltdown is an explosion of anger that has been building up within the person.
People sometimes use the terms “meltdown” and “nervous breakdown” interchangeably, but there are some subtle differences. Meltdowns are more often short in duration, a response to a stimulus. Emotional in nature, meltdowns happen when people can't cope with their immediate circumstances.
What is a meltdown? A meltdown is an intense response to an overwhelming situation. It happens when someone becomes completely overwhelmed by their current situation and temporarily loses control of their behaviour.
Instead, a mental health crisis or a breakdown of your mental health is a situation that happens when you have intense physical and emotional stress, have difficulty coping and aren't able to function effectively. It's the feeling of being physically, mentally and emotionally overwhelmed by the stress of life.
Symptoms and Diagnosis of a Nervous Breakdown
Feelings of depression or anxiety that are new or more overwhelming than before. Feeling overwhelmed. Shutting down and being unable to participate in normal activities. Missing appointments, work, school, and other responsibilities.
“Emotional breakdown” is a term often used to describe someone suffering from depression, anxiety and acute stress disorder. An emotional breakdown means someone is experiencing: Insomnia. Hallucinations. Emotional outbursts including anger – sometimes with no obvious cause.
The most common signs someone is having a mental breakdown are: Hopelessness. Thoughts of suicide. Sense of worthlessness.
"Where you get into problems is when that stressor is ongoing and persistent, and the person's coping resources are overwhelmed." If you're headed for a nervous breakdown, you might feel weepy, or even experience episodes of uncontrollable crying, Engle said.
rapid and constant speech. disturbed speech – for example, they may switch from one topic to another mid-sentence. a sudden loss in their train of thought, resulting in an abrupt pause in conversation or activity.
The model includes six phases: Calm, Triggers, Agitation, Meltdowns, Re-Grouping, and Starting Over.
There are generally three stages to a meltdown; the build up, the meltdown/shutdown and recovery. This is also known as the anxiety and defensive stage. It usually consists of physical, verbal and behavioural signs.
Meltdowns can look like any of these actions: withdrawal (where the person zones out, stares into space, and/or has body parts do repetitive movements) or outward distress (crying uncontrollably, screaming, stomping, curling up into a ball, growling, etc.).
An emotional meltdown is the result of severe, overwhelming emotional distress. Symptoms can range from uncontrollable crying and weeping, or uncontrollable rage. It can also be more prolonged and lead to depression, severe anxiety, and can cause your moods to swing wildly.
Shutdowns are more subtle—they may go unnoticed. However, they are also a response to reaching a crisis point. Meltdowns can turn into shutdowns. A person at first may be loud and explosive and then withdraw.
A nervous breakdown can last from a few hours to a few weeks. If your breakdown has been going on for a while, and you need some relief, the following ten tips are for you. They will help you not only survive this difficult time, but they might even help you grow from this difficult experience.
Both anxiety and depression are emotional responses to prolonged stress. If you're headed towards a mental breakdown, you may experience episodes of feeling helpless or uncontrollable crying. You may also have emotional outbursts or feelings of uncontrollable anger.
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.
Symptoms of a manic episode
Having an abnormally high level of activity or energy. Feeling extremely happy or excited — even euphoric. Not sleeping or only getting a few hours of sleep but still feeling rested. Having inflated self-esteem, thinking you're invincible.
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.
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.
Roughly half of all lifetime mental disorders in most studies start by the mid-teens and three quarters by the mid-20s. Later onsets are mostly secondary conditions. Severe disorders are typically preceded by less severe disorders that are seldom brought to clinical attention.
Meltdowns can last from minutes to hours. Meltdowns are not your child's way of manipulating you: Meltdowns are emotional explosions.
Try to stay calm and speak in a kind, even tone. Avoid raising your voice or making fast body movements, which could further aggravate the situation.