Everybody experiences stress and anxiety when they feel under pressure, though usually at levels that are manageable. When stress and feelings of worry or anxiety are there all the time and build up to a level that has an impact on a person's daily life, they may be described as having a nervous breakdown.
A nervous breakdown results from a sudden or prolonged period of stress, often rooted in underlying mental health conditions. A panic attack, in essence, is a type of nervous breakdown. Panic attacks are episodes of overwhelming anxiety and fear that often arise out of the blue, sometimes without explanation.
Some event or change in your life is causing you an intense amount of stress, which is causing symptoms such as fear, anxiety, worry, nervousness and depression. You may feel “stuck,” overwhelmed or incapacitated, which makes you unable to cope and function with life.
Symptoms of a nervous breakdown may include emotional distress as well as physical effects, like chest pains and difficulty breathing. This kind of breakdown typically comes after experiencing a great deal of stress that you find you can't cope with in healthy ways.
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.
Common symptoms of a mental breakdown include: Feeling anxious, depressed, sad, or irritable. Feeling emotionally and physically tired. Sleeping too much or too little.
When experiencing mental health problems, you should visit an ER if you worry about your safety. For instance, if you share thoughts of hurting yourself or suicide, you should immediately go to an ER.
People once used the term “nervous breakdown” to describe a wide range of mental illnesses. The medical community no longer uses the term, but a so-called nervous breakdown remains a sign of an underlying mental health condition, such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The term mental breakdown is often used when a person has a mental health crisis that overcomes their emotions. It can stem from other conditions like depression and anxiety but tends to be a severe case.
There may be any number of different factors that trigger a nervous breakdown in an individual, but generally what leads to a breakdown is a buildup of stress, pressure, and anxiety.
Any sudden change in a person's mental or emotional well-being is cause for concern. When you notice unusual signs or symptoms in a loved one, take them seriously and seek help. A sudden crisis can be confusing and scary, but it's important to know that treatment and recovery are possible.
It's important to remember that even if you or a loved one is having or has had a mental breakdown, it is a temporary condition. With the right treatment, you, or your loved one, can recover and begin to heal.
Drugs such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam), Valium (diazepam), and Ativan (lorazepam) work quickly, typically bringing relief within 30 minutes to an hour. That makes them very effective when taken during a panic attack or another overwhelming anxiety episode.
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.
How long a nervous breakdown will last depends on many factors. Some people may have a minor crisis that lasts for an afternoon, while someone else may experience a more severe breakdown that leaves them dysfunctional for weeks.
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.
If the spouse with the mental illness refuses to seek treatment despite understanding the toll the illness has taken on them and their family, recognizing that help is available, and having access to a licensed treatment center, then the individual may need to leave to protect their own mental health.
However, there are some commonalities. When mental illness is left untreated, it can lead to long-term issues with emotional stability, behavior regulation, relationship difficulties, substance abuse, and even physical illness.