Get to Know More About a Mental Breakdown
Experiencing some distress is a normal part of life. Whether it is from family life at home, school, or work. But when the feelings become too overwhelming, they can contribute to a mental breakdown. It’s commonly understood to occur when life’s demands become physically and emotionally overwhelming.
The term “mental breakdown” was frequently used to cover a variety of mental disorders, but mental health professionals no longer use it today. Instead, it is a dated term that just refers to stress temporarily preventing a person from feeling that they can function daily.
The mental breakdown isn’t even a medical term, and it doesn’t indicate a specific mental illness. But that doesn’t mean it’s a normal or a healthy stress response. Some people call a mental breakdown may indicate an underlying mental health problem that needs attention, such as depression or anxiety.
The Many Signs Of A Mental Breakdown
Signs of a so-called mental breakdown differ from person to person and depend on what is causing it. Generally, it’s understood to mean that a person is no longer able to function normally. For example, he or she may:
- Have Low self-esteem
- Be paranoid and fearful.
- Have Irritability
- Worry A lot
- Feel helpless
- Get angry easily
- Withdraw from family and friends
- Lose interest in your favorite activities
- Have difficulty breathing
- Spells of uncontrollable crying
- May have thoughts of self-harm or suicide
Several other unusual or dysfunctional behaviors may be considered signs and symptoms of a nervous breakdown.
How Can You Treat A Mental Breakdown?
The right treatment for a nervous breakdown depends mainly upon what caused it and the person. Some common treatments include:
- Lifestyle Changes
- Medication
- Psychotherapy
Mental fatigue is a common feature of a mental breakdown. For some, getting rest and de-stressing can be an effective home remedy. Changes might include such things as:
- Reducing your number of daily tasks
- Adding some form of exercise to your routine
- Eating a healthy diet
- Taking a break when you need it
- Practicing meditation
- Getting outside and spending time in nature
Your doctor may prescribe antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication to help with the symptoms of a mental breakdown. If your stress is also causing sleeplessness, you may be prescribed a sleep aid. Sleep disruptions can worsen stress and anxiety, which only worsen your insomnia. Sleep aids can help to break the sleeplessness cycle and reduce your stress.
Also known as “talk therapy,” psychotherapy helps you work through your mental breakdown and helps you by keeping you from having another one. Speaking with a professional therapist can help you process your thoughts and create solutions that will ease your stress and anxiety.
Start Healing Today at Agape Treatment Center
If you feel that you’re experiencing a mental breakdown, get help today. At the Agape Behavioral Healthcare Network, we take mental health issues of all varieties very seriously and provide a safe, nurturing environment where one can learn about the disorders plaguing them from an emotionally unstable life.
Our licensed mental health clinicians will fully assess an individual that seems, feels, or has been previously diagnosed with a mental health disorder, and meet them exactly where they are in life.
Stephanie Catalano is an accomplished Clinical Director at Agape Behavioral Healthcare. With a Master of Social Work degree, LCSW license, and extensive training in Rapid Resolution Therapy under her belt, she brings a wealth of expertise to her role. Her unique combination of education and experience allows her to provide exceptional care to clients and lead her team with confidence. Stephanie’s joy comes from witnessing the moments when her patients creatively connect the dots and bravely move toward reclaiming their power. Her purpose is to help individuals understand their past so they can create a future full of hope, growth, and success. Stephanie attributes a large portion of her success to the supportive culture and strong sense of community fostered by the Agape team.
