What Does A Nervous Breakdown Feel Like?

So, what are the signs of a nervous breakdown? What are the causes, and what can you do if it happens to you?

What causes a nervous breakdown?

Traumatic event

Prolonged stress

What does a nervous breakdown feel like?

Trouble sleeping

Trouble sleeping can take a number of different forms. This might mean poor sleep quality, trouble falling asleep, sleeping too little, or sleeping too much. On its own, this is not necessarily indicative of a nervous breakdown. Trouble sleeping is a possible symptom of a number of different mental and physical problems. However, if it’s paired with other symptoms, this could be the case, and regardless, it is likely time to seek professional help, especially if the problem is ongoing.

Irritability

Excessive worry

Physical symptoms

The extreme stress or shock to the mind affiliated with a nervous breakdown can come with not only intense mental distress and anxiety symptoms but also several physical symptoms. These may include but are not limited to body aches, physical fatigue, gastrointestinal distress, high blood pressure, tense muscles, headaches, sweats (hot and cold flushes), and other issues that can affect body function. In addition to affecting appetite, stress can also impact metabolism, leading to weight fluctuations.

Difficulty with self-care

Becoming socially distant

Comorbid mental health conditions

Psychiatric symptoms of a mental breakdown may be associated with an underlying mental health condition. Some of these conditions include:

• Major depressive disorder (MDD).
• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
• Panic disorder.
• Acute stress disorder (ASD).
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Bipolar disorder.
• Borderline personality disorder (BPD).
• Schizophrenia.

Note that a nervous or mental breakdown can occur in individuals with or without a mental health diagnosis, often as a result of too much stress, overwhelming life events, or a combination of factors that may include poor coping skills and family history. Seeking professional help from a mental health provider may be crucial for assessment, diagnosis, and appropriate treatment.

What if you’re the one who’s experiencing a mental health crisis?

If you’re the one who is worried about potentially having a nervous breakdown, recognizing the symptoms is a useful thing. Recognizing the common signs that something might be off can be the first step toward getting the help you need. Whether the concern is a mental health condition like anxiety and depression, excessive stress in everyday life, or something else, you must get the help you need and take steps toward self-care — even if this just means meditating or conducting a deep-breathing exercise for five minutes. You can also try the progressive muscle relaxation technique, in which you start systematically tensing and then relaxing muscle groups in your body, promoting relaxation and reducing physical tension, aiding in chronic stress relief and overall well-being.

It’s also vital to note that you do not have to reach the point of a mental health crisis to ask for help. A nervous breakdown can be a sign of a serious mental illness or medical condition, and it can lead to serious mental and physical distress or even self-harm.** When it comes to preventing a nervous breakdown, try some of the following steps:

• Slow down. Allow yourself to take a break. Lighten your load in any way that you can.
• Practice self-care. Taking care of yourself when you’re experiencing intense stress can be crucial. Lifestyle modifications can include avoiding alcohol and recreational drugs, improving sleep habits, and practicing progressive muscle relaxation or breathing exercises.
• Reach out. Tell someone what you’re going through, whether that’s a loved one, a mental healthcare provider, or a support group. If you are at immediate risk of self-harm, contact a crisis hotline.

If you’re experiencing a mental breakdown or think that you might be, reach out to a mental healthcare provider, your primary care physician, or someone else in the medical community. Wellness professionals can give you a physical exam and rule out certain underlying conditions. They may be able to refer you to a mental healthcare professional, write a note for your workplace, or provide information about other treatment options if applicable. In some cases, a healthcare provider may be able to prescribe medication for your symptoms. Make sure that you consult with your doctor or another healthcare professional before considering any medication options.

Seeking therapy

Seeking talk therapy can help you address emotional stress or a nervous breakdown, recover from a mental health crisis, or prevent future occurrences of emotional distress. In therapy, you can discover coping skills and ways to care for your mental health as a unique individual. Your provider should take your unique circumstances into mind.

If there is an underlying cause, such as trauma-related stress or other mental health conditions, a mental health professional can help you address these concerns. If you’re seeking care, you can look for a therapist who practices near you or sign up for a reputable online talk therapy platform like BetterHelp. Peer-reviewed studies have shown that for managing the symptoms of a variety of mental health concerns, including those typically associated with nervous breakdowns.

The BetterHelp platform makes it fast and easy to start working with a counselor or therapist. To get started, all you have to do is take a quick questionnaire, and you’ll get paired with a licensed provider. If the first therapist or counselor you see isn’t a good match, BetterHelp makes switching seamless. BetterHelp makes it easy for you to manage settings and customize your experience when it comes to the way you participate in therapy.