What are the symptoms and causes of mental breakdown?
Answers
mental breakdown is a term used to describe a period of intense mental distress. During this period, you’re unable to function in your everyday life.
This term was once used to refer to a wide variety of mental illnesses, including depression, anxiety, and acute stress disorder.
Although “nervous breakdown” is no longer considered a medical term, it’s still used by many to describe intense symptoms of stress and an inability to cope with life’s challenges. What others see as a mental breakdown may actually be an undiagnosed mental illness.
There isn’t one agreed upon definition for what constitutes a nervous breakdown. It’s generally viewed as a period when physical and emotional stress become intolerable and impair one’s ability to function effectively.
What are the symptoms of a nervous breakdown?
You may experience physical, psychological, and behavioral symptoms when going through a breakdown. The signs of a nervous breakdown vary from person to person. The underlying cause can also affect what symptoms you experience.
The most common signs of a nervous 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, and trembling or shaking
insomnia
hallucinations
extreme mood swings or unexplained outbursts
panic attacks, which include chest pain, detachment from reality and self, extreme fear, and difficulty breathing
paranoia, such as believing someone is watching you or stalking you
flashbacks of a traumatic event, which can suggest undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
People experiencing a nervous breakdown may also withdraw from family, friends, and coworkers. Signs of such withdrawal include:
avoiding social functions and engagements
eating and sleeping poorly
maintaining poor hygiene
calling in sick to work for days or not showing up to work at all
isolating yourself in your home
Risk factors that can lead to a nervous breakdown
A person may report having a nervous breakdown when stress is too much for them to bear. That stress can be caused by external influences. Some of those risk factors include:
persistent work stress
recent traumatic event, such as a death in the family
serious financial issues, such as going into foreclosure
a major life change, such as a divorce
poor sleep and relaxation
personal history of anxiety disorders
family history of anxiety disorders
recent injury or illness that makes daily life difficult to manage
How to manage your symptoms
You can break out of the cycle of psychological or behavioral distress by:
using either talk therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy
taking prescription medications, such as antidepressants or antianxiety medication, to treat chemical imbalances
practicing alternative treatments, such as acupuncture, massage therapy, or yoga
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and on the verge of a breakdown, consider these strategies for managing your symptoms:
Breathe deeply and count backward from 10 when you’re feeling anxious or stressed.
Cut caffeine and alcohol from your diet.
Develop a sleep schedule and routine that will help you sleep well. This could mean taking a warm bath, switching off electronic devices, or reading a book before bed.
When to see a doctor
It’s not uncommon for someone to feel, at one time or another, unable to cope with life’s stresses. You’re not dealing with stress in a healthy way if you’re having difficulty doing your daily tasks.
A nervous breakdown could be a sign of a mental health disorder. It’s important for you to go to the doctor as soon as you notice signs of a breakdown.
Your doctor can help you treat the physical symptoms. They can also refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist. These mental health professionals can treat your emotional, mental, and behavioral symptoms.
Caregivers should also contact a doctor as soon as possible if they’re worried about a loved one’s behavior or mental state.
Tips for self-care
Lifestyle modifications can help you prevent a nervous breakdown. They can also help lessen the severity and frequency of them. These include:
getting regular exercise at least 3 times a week, which can be as simple as walking around your neighborhood for 30 minutes
going to a therapist or counseling sessions to manage stress
avoiding drugs, alcohol, caffeine, and other substances that create stress on the body
getting regular sleep and sleeping for at least six hours a night
incorporating relaxation techniques like deep breathing into your daily routine
reducing your stress level by pacing yourself, taking mini-breaks, better organizing your environment and daily activities, and keeping a daily to-do list
You can make these changes on your own, but it may be more helpful to come up with a treatment plan with you