Daily life is jampacked with persistent stimulation and enormous stress. It can feel as if life’s demands are coming at us constantly while providing little to no relief. These stressors can deliver immense feelings of worry, hopelessness, panic, and paranoia. When these emotions compound on one another and stay pent-up inside, it can seem as if they fully take over and send the body into a heightened state of emotional crisis. It may be a nervous breakdown if this happens to you or someone you love.
While you may have heard the term “nervous breakdown” used as a flippant, blanket statement for various emotional experiences, it is a genuine mental health crisis. It is crucial to seek nervous breakdown treatment as soon as possible. Everyone should take nervous breakdowns seriously.
What Is A Nervous Breakdown?
A nervous breakdown is a sudden emotional reaction typically brought on by disruptive changes or events in one’s life that consumes an individual’s ability to mentally and physically function. It is a sign of severe internal suffering when a person experiences a mental health crisis. Previously used as a term to describe a wide range of mental health disorders, nervous breakdowns are not in and of themselves a diagnosis but typically a result of an underlying problem [1]. Mental health conditions strongly associated with nervous breakdowns are depression, anxiety, PTSD, schizophrenia, and acute stress disorder.
Emotional crises can arise due to an infinite list of reasons. A few common examples are:
- Relationship changes
- Legal or financial struggles
- Job loss, heightened responsibility, or burnout
- Assault, abuse, or other traumatic events
- Serious injuries
- Chronic stress
- Inadequate sleep
- Underlying mental health conditions
Sometimes, the cause behind a nervous breakdown is not 100% clear. What is clear is that the experience is 100% real. The emotional experience is valid and cause for immediate attention. It can be unbearably overwhelming to feel you are losing control, but help is available.
The good news? The prognosis for nervous breakdowns is favorable, and recovery is possible. With multiple locations and a wide array of programs, New Dimensions can offer the support and guidance needed to emotionally mend and recover from a nervous breakdown.
Signs & Symptoms
If you believe you or someone you love is at risk of having a nervous breakdown, keeping a close eye on the signs and symptoms is essential. These symptoms typically fit into several categories relating to depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sleep troubles, and more.
Depressive Symptoms
- Hopelessness
- Guilt or worthlessness
- Fatigue
- Loss of interest in pleasurable activities
- Self-harm
- Suicidal ideation
Anxiety Symptoms
- Muscle tension
- Restlessness
- Irritability
- Dizziness
- Stomach pain or nausea
PTSD Symptoms
- Intrusive thoughts
- Flashbacks
- Nightmares
- Avoidance of potential triggers
- Guilt and shame
- Reckless behavior
Panic Attack Symptoms
- Sense of doom
- Difficulty breathing
- Trembling
- Heart palpitations
- Increased heart rate
- Sweating
Social Symptoms
If someone is experiencing or about to experience a nervous breakdown, they may socially withdraw. A few social signs and symptoms of nervous breakdowns are:
- Avoiding social functions
- Poor hygiene
- Missing work
- Isolating
- Poor eating habits
- Insomnia or trouble sleeping
Additional Nervous Breakdown Symptoms
- Mood swings
- Emotional outbursts
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
Periods of severe mental distress cause a person to lose their ability to function in everyday life successfully. At New Dimensions, we are to help you or your loved one. If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, please reach out today to discuss options regarding nervous breakdown treatment.
Nervous Breakdown in Teens
Adults are not the only ones who can experience a nervous breakdown, teenagers can too. The phases of adolescence put teenagers into daily situations filled with immense change. The world also changes constantly, making the weight of these persistent shifts overwhelming and challenging to bear. It is especially difficult for teens because they have not yet developed functional coping skills to manage life demands. The combination of diminished coping mechanisms and heightened stress is a potential recipe for an adolescent nervous breakdown.
The signs and symptoms are similarly grouped among teens and adults.
Nervous Breakdown Treatment
If you or someone in your life displays any symptoms of a nervous breakdown, seek treatment right away. Early intervention is always vital in treating any mental health condition.
Healing and learning to manage the overwhelming indications leading to a nervous breakdown is a reality that can soon be yours. You deserve to walk through life free from the enormous toll an emotionally distraught, stress-riddled life can have on your daily functioning.
Seeking treatment will help zero in on what caused a nervous breakdown. After identifying the root cause, you can develop strategies in partnership with your clinician to better manage and cope with moments of extreme distress.
When to Seek Professional Help
Seeking professional help may feel troubling and frightening. Mental health professionals can offer nonjudgmental care and guidance when you need it most. If the stress of daily life begins to feel devastatingly challenging to bear or if you experience nervous breakdowns, treatment is critical.
Reaching out to a loved one or someone you trust can be a significant first step to seeking help if you feel hesitant. Talk about what you are feeling inside and ask a loved one for encouragement and support as you navigate the process of healing.
Emergency treatment is critical if there is a risk of self-harm or harm to others.
The Bottom Line
Feelings of stress, worry, and worthlessness occur in every person throughout their lifetimes. However, when these feelings become all-consuming causing the inability to perform standard daily tasks or creating a desire to withdraw socially, seeking help is paramount.
Despite the experience of a nervous breakdown often feeling impossible to overcome, there is a solution. Whether behavioral therapy, counseling, or medication, a healthcare professional can guide you to recovery. The possibility of replacing feelings of hopelessness with hope is closer than you think. You do not have to weather the storm alone.
New Dimensions Can Help!
If you or someone you know is experiencing any of the above symptoms or problems, New Dimensions can help. Our team of experienced therapists and psychiatrists can help you overcome these challenges and help you develop the skills you need to thrive. To schedule a complementary assessment or to find out more about our programs, contact us at 1-800-685-9796.
Our affiliate, MHThrive, provides Individual Therapy, Couples and Marriage Counseling, and Family Therapy at our locations in Katy, The Woodlands, and the Clear Lake area of Houston, Texas. We also provide telehealth therapy for anyone who resides within the State of Texas. To schedule an appointment with one of the MHThrive therapists, contact us at 713-477-0333 or visit www.mhthrive.com to learn more.
Sources:
- Brennan, D. (2020). Signs of a Nervous Breakdown. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/signs-nervous-breakdown
- Scaccia, A. (2021). How to recognize and treat the symptoms of a nervous breakdown. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/nervous-breakdown
- Chirico F. (2015). Adjustment Disorders in DSM-5: Implications for Occupational Health Surveillance. Acta Psychopathol., 1 :1. https://psychopathology.imedpub.com/adjustment-disorders-in-dsm5-implications-for-occupationalhealth-surveillance.pdf
- Huizen, J. (2020). What are the signs of a nervous breakdown? Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321018