What Does A Nervous Breakdown Feel Like? The Signs And Symptoms Of A Nervous Breakdown
Although the term “nervous breakdown” was once commonly used to describe legitimate mental illness symptoms, it has lost its popularity as a medical term among clinicians. Nevertheless, it is a valuable concept for patients and mental health professionals alike. It provides a bridge to discuss the possible presence of chronic medical illness, severe stress levels, and the need for a mental health practitioner. While “nervous breakdown” is not a clinical diagnosis, it is an illustrative term to have available, as it can describe intense mental breakdown symptoms without clinical jargon.
What does a nervous breakdown feel like? Understanding signs of a nervous breakdown
All about chronic and acute signs and symptoms of a nervous breakdown
Physical signs and symptoms of a nervous breakdown
The most prominent physical indications of an acute breakdown are symptoms like a rise in blood pressure or heart rate and, with that, dizziness or dissociation, increased sweating, shaking, and nausea. These acute symptoms often directly precede an emotional release of some kind, such as shouting, crying, or begging for help or a rescuer. Following the height of a breakdown, an individual might experience disruptions in body function that affect such things as sleep patterns, appetite control, and even immune system responses. In extreme cases, these disruptions can progress into physical health conditions.
Physical symptoms of a chronic or ongoing breakdown are similar but less intense. Someone experiencing a chronic breakdown might have difficulty sleeping, may experience muscle tension or general pain in the body, and might have an increased or decreased appetite. These individuals might see marked fluctuations in weight and may begin to see signs of inflammation, such as increased exhaustion and frequent illness.
Mental and emotional indications: Intense mental distress or nervous breakdown
A nervous breakdown’s acute mental and emotional symptoms are often attributed to mental illness but are not necessarily solid indicators of a disorder. These include feelings of rage, terror, and despair.
An acute nervous breakdown might also elicit the sense of being out of control. If anger is the dominant emotion, it may seem like nothing else exists apart from anger. If terror is the dominant emotion, it may seem as though everything is a threat. Every word spoken can seem like a shaming and cruel remark, and every sound can elicit fear. If sadness is the dominant emotion, despair might reign, and it may seem as though nothing will ever be good or safe again.
Conversely, chronic mental and emotional indications of a breakdown are less severe but may be more pervasive. Anger, for instance, might not be in a constant heightened state, but someone experiencing a long-term breakdown might continuously be irritable, frustrated, and perpetually on the verge of losing their temper.
Those experiencing overwhelming stress or anxiety might have a prolonged fight-or-flight response and frequently be afraid, paranoid, or worried, which could lead to racing thoughts, withdrawal from friends and loved ones, and emotional shutdown. Finally, chronic despair often looks like a decreased interest in things once valued or loved, reduced interest in favorite activities, and a decreased interest in spending time with others. Peer-reviewed studies support the idea that nervous breakdowns can present differently depending on the other types of disorders present.
A loss of perspective often punctuates both long-term and short-term nervous breakdowns. A loss of perspective in a short-term breakdown can result in emotions taking over, as it removes the possibility of consequences. A loss of perspective can worsen long-term breakdowns because it removes the possibility of change and improvement. A nervous breakdown is not a symptom of willful or intentional damage to interest or ability, but instead, it is usually a stress response produced to influence healing.
Treatment for a mental health crisis, such as a mental breakdown and stress
The best step to take after having a nervous breakdown is to find a mental health professional who can help determine what led you to that space and assist you in navigating the healing process. In some cases, this might mean treating mental illness, and in others, it may mean staging some lifestyle interventions, such as cutting back on commitments or simplifying financial expenditures.
Online therapy for your mental health
Takeaway
Although nervous breakdowns have a negative reputation, they can be essential turning points that set you on the path to improving your mental health and stress management skills.
Whether you are experiencing your first nervous breakdown or you have had untreated bouts of intense stress or mental illness followed by a breakdown in the past, you can take the time following a mental breakdown to speak with an online therapist, trusted adviser, or friend, and determine what changes must be enlisted for your life and what treatment may be necessary to create a healthy environment, both internally and externally.
What are the 12 signs of a nervous breakdown?
Nervous breakdowns can occur as a result of a mental health crisis, which may follow a stressful situation or a traumatic event, such as a sudden tragedy. They can also stem from underlying mental health conditions or chronic medical conditions that have gone without proper support. Each individual may experience a nervous breakdown in their own way, as everyone handles stress differently. Twelve of the most common nervous breakdown symptoms include:
- Complete overwhelm
- Nervousness or agitation
- Insomnia or other sleep disturbances
- Physical fatigue
- Neuromusculoskeletal pain
- Low self-esteem
- Withdrawal
- Loss of interest in daily activities
- Volatile emotional outbursts
- Frequent feelings of helplessness
- Nausea or gastrointestinal distress
- Self-harm and suicidal ideation or attempts
If you are experiencing suicidal ideation, are at risk of self-harm, or are a danger to yourself, please connect with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988. Help is available 24 hours a day, 365 days per year.
These are not the only emotional and physical symptoms of a nervous breakdown. Other indicators of a person’s mental state might include heightened emotional distress in daily life, poor hygiene, missing scheduled appointments, financial problems, difficulty concentrating, and many others. Symptoms of a breakdown may overlap with many other mental health conditions. Seek professional help from a healthcare provider for a diagnosis and a proper treatment plan.
How long do nervous breakdowns last?
The duration of a nervous breakdown depends significantly upon the individual's coping mechanisms and underlying factors. Many report mental breakdowns lasting anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. In less common cases or individuals with poor coping skills, they may extend to several months.
Talk therapy, breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation (focusing on relaxing muscle groups), and other supportive strategies can help prevent a mental health crisis after a traumatic event. They can also be helpful if someone is currently experiencing a mental breakdown or heightened anxiety.
How serious is a nervous breakdown or a mental breakdown?
A nervous breakdown is often the result of an intense reaction to extreme stress. It can be serious, especially if the extreme stress is left unaddressed. People can experience anxiety and depression before, during, and after a mental health crisis. Sometimes, a nervous breakdown can lead to disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder.
Online therapy, in-person talk therapy, and other supportive strategies that address symptoms, acute causes, medical conditions, and underlying mental health concerns that can affect one’s mental health are often the first steps in the prevention of a nervous breakdown.
How do you fight a nervous breakdown or intense mental distress?
Experiencing overwhelming stress and chronic stress, if left unaddressed, can lead to a nervous breakdown. While stress is often a result of life's demands, many find that proactively managing life's stresses is the best prevention method.
Supportive measures can include addressing any underlying mental health conditions or medical conditions, seeking a formal mental health diagnosis if symptoms persist, or implementing beneficial lifestyle changes.
Are nervous breakdowns normal, or is it a sign of an underlying mental health condition?
Nervous breakdowns can be a part of life if someone is under an undue amount of stress, whether due to family turmoil, major life events, or underlying mental health conditions that require additional support. Online therapy and attending support groups can be beneficial in preventing or addressing mental health symptoms related to a nervous breakdown or a mental health crisis involving persistent anxiety.
What organs are affected by stress?
Physical symptoms of a nervous breakdown might affect an individual’s organs due to excessive stress and ongoing anxiety. Organs commonly affected include the heart, lungs, stomach (sometimes called appetite stress), nervous system, and circulatory system. If you believe that your organs are being affected by chronic or acute stress, consult your healthcare provider for a physical exam and tailored medical advice.
How do you calm yourself down?
Each individual may have different methods of calming themselves down, but deep-breathing exercises are some of the most commonly used. Finding the method that works for you can be helpful in preventing chronic or acute stress, which can lead to further mental health concerns later on.
What is the first stage of a mental breakdown?
Many believe that the first stage of a mental breakdown is the “honeymoon stage.” People in this stage of a breakdown (or of prebreakdown) may show minimal symptoms; instead, they might experience only mild stress or overwhelm from normal daily functions or increased responsibilities at social events.
What does a nervous breakdown feel like? Do you cry during a nervous breakdown?
Some people may cry or experience uncontrollable crying during a nervous breakdown. Others might withdraw silently or experience physical sensations like trouble breathing. Regardless of the outward reaction, the individual could benefit significantly from seeking supportive care or a healthcare professional to guide their recovery.
What mental health conditions are associated with breakdowns?
Mental breakdowns can be associated with various mental health issues. 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 (which can sometimes include a psychotic break or false beliefs that may be intensified by the use of recreational drugs)
Note that a nervous or mental breakdown can occur in individuals with or without a diagnosed mental health issue, often as a result of too much stress, overwhelming life events, or a combination of factors that may include family history. Seeking professional support from a healthcare provider or contacting the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline may be crucial for assessment, diagnosis, and appropriate treatment.
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