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“I’m having a nervous breakdown!” – we say or think when we are overwhelmed and, it seems, can not stand it any more. But what is it? And what if there is no power at all? Psychotherapist Erin Engle explains.
There is no such diagnosis in modern medicine. A nervous breakdown is not considered a mental disorder. But this does not mean that it should not be taken seriously, because we are talking about a situation in which a person is not able to function normally due to prohibitively high levels of stress.
Sources of stress can be different: the breakup of a relationship with a partner, financial problems, personal grief, mental exhaustion. Everyone’s body and mind react to stress differently. Several main symptoms can be listed.
1. Anxiety and depression
Anxiety and depressive symptoms are common reactions to stressors. Problems begin with prolonged continuous exposure to stress, when a person ceases to have enough resources to cope with it. This can manifest itself, for example, in bouts of uncontrollable crying. Being on the verge of a breakdown, many lose confidence and faith in themselves, suffer from feelings of guilt.
2. Too much or too little sleep
Another cause for concern is the change in the usual sleep pattern. For some, sleep becomes an escape from stress, they sleep longer than usual. For others, insomnia begins due to the constant intense work of the brain.
3. Fatigue
A feeling of weakness in the body is another sign that the body is no longer able to cope with stress. What used to be easy, now requires a lot of effort. What used to be fun is no longer fun. This also applies to sex – stress often negatively affects libido.
4. Violation or increased appetite
In stressful situations, some lose their appetite, while others, on the contrary, begin to “eat” stress. The stress hormone cortisol can cause an increased craving for fatty and sugary foods.
Try to consciously breathe more slowly for a few minutes, this should bring relief.
In addition, in a state of nervous breakdown, it is difficult to force ourselves to think about diet and healthy eating, it is more difficult for us than usual to take care of ourselves and our health.
5. Physical pain
Most often it is a headache or abdominal pain. In particular, stress often leads to indigestion.
6. “Fog in the head”
Problems with thinking manifest themselves in different ways: we cope worse with life and work tasks, become indecisive, confused, forgetful.
7. Difficulty breathing
Pay particular attention to the classic symptoms of anxiety: chest tightness and rapid breathing. Frequent shallow breathing only exacerbates the stress response of the body. Try to consciously breathe slowly (about five breaths per minute) for a few minutes – this should bring relief. If breathing problems continue for a long time, it is important to deal with the source of the problem causing stress.
You’ve had a nervous breakdown. What to do?
Taking care of yourself should be a priority. Find healthy ways to deal with stress that are right for you. It can be sports, a favorite hobby. Discuss the situation with friends or relatives whom you fully trust. In more severe cases, without delay, seek help from a psychologist or psychotherapist.
About the author: Erin Angle is a psychologist and psychotherapist at Columbia University Medical Center.