Work stress is getting worse. Family problems won’t go away. Money is a constant worry and you can’t sleep.
Small things that usually wouldn’t bother you now set you off.
You might be wondering what’s happening. What you’re experiencing might be called a nervous breakdown.
Anyone can hit this point when too much builds up.
You can get through this, and Ewing Mental Health LLC can help.
What Is a Nervous Breakdown?
Nervous breakdown is not a medical term, but a term describing a time when one is experiencing extreme mental or emotional distress.
It’s also called as a mental health crisis.
A nervous breakdown occurs when a stressful period or untreated psychological issues culminate to a point that a person cannot live a normal life.
For many, it can feel like hitting a breaking point.
This happens to all kinds of people. Successful workers, good parents, students, people who look like they have everything figured out. Anyone can go through this.
The Signs to Watch For
A breakdown doesn’t happen all at once. Your mind and body give you warnings first. Here’s what to look for:
How you feel:
- Everything feels too hard, even simple things
- Feeling very anxious, worried or having panic attacks
- Feeling really sad or feeling nothing at all
- Getting angry easily
- Feeling like you’re losing control
What happens to your body:
- Can’t sleep or sleeping too much
- Headaches or tight muscles
- Stomach problems or not wanting to eat
- Feeling tired all the time
- Getting sick more often
Changes in what you do:
- Not wanting to see friends or family
- Can’t focus or make decisions
- Not taking care of yourself
- Having trouble at work or school
- Using more alcohol or drugs
Everyone is different. Some people feel very anxious. Others feel completely shut down.
What Causes a Nervous Breakdown?
Different things can push people to their breaking point:
Big life changes:
- Losing a job or work stress
- Relationship problems or divorce
- Someone you love dies
- Money problems
- Big changes like moving or having a baby
Mental health issues:
- Anxiety or depression that hasn’t been treated
- Too much stress with no way to handle it
- Bad things that happened in the past
- Being too hard on yourself
Physical problems:
- Being sick all the time or in pain
- Changes in your hormones
- Not sleeping enough or eating poorly
- Using drugs or alcohol
Sometimes it’s not one big thing. It’s lots of small stresses that build up over time.
Getting Better: You Can Feel Okay Again
In case of emergency: If you’re having thoughts of harming yourself or hurting others, it is an emergency.
Dial 988 immediately or visit the hospital closest to you. Do not wait.
You can get better.
Immediate steps for crisis moments:
- Talk to someone you trust – a friend, family member, or counselor
- Take care of basics: eat, sleep, drink water
- Step away from stress when you can
- Try deep breathing
- This feeling won’t last forever
Treatments That Help
Getting professional help makes a huge difference. There are lots of ways to feel better:
Talking to someone:
- Therapy – helps you change negative thoughts and learn better ways to handle stress
- Counseling – gives you a safe place to talk about what’s happening
- Group therapy – lets you meet others going through the same thing
Medical help:
- Psychiatric evaluation – to see if you need medication for anxiety or depression
- Medication management – medication that can help balance your brain chemistry
- Routine psychiatric check-ups – to know how you’re doing and adjust treatment
Other helpful things:
- Psychoeducation – knowledge of what is happening to you
- Mindfulness – learning how to be calm and concentrated
- Better habits – getting plenty of sleep, eating a good diet, and being active
Being There for Someone Struggling
Your encouragement can really go a long way when someone you care about is dealing with their struggles.
- Hear them out. Let them share how they feel without judgment.
- Holding back on advice. Let their decisions be. Give them the support they need to get help if they need it.
- Learn. Understanding a few things about mental health can really go a long way.
Creating Sustainable Mental Wellness
Becoming better does not mean returning to the past. It is a matter of growing stronger in the future.
This implies acquiring new techniques of managing stress, being aware of your warning signals, in addition to understanding who to depend on.
Ewing Mental Health LLC
Our caring team will assist people with anxiety, depression, mood difficulties and more at Ewing Mental Health LLC.
You can share your feelings with us without feeling that you are going to be judged.
We can help if you are in crisis or need to form healthier mental health habits.
We provide evaluations, medication help when needed, education, and ongoing psychiatric support.
You can get better. Reach out to our team at Ewing Mental Health LLC today.
Call us at (609) 439-4351 or book online. Both telehealth and in-person appointments are available.
FAQs
What are the signs of a nervous breakdown?
- Can’t handle daily tasks
- Feel constantly overwhelmed
- Trouble sleeping or eating
- Withdraw from people
- Can’t concentrate
- Feel emotionally numb or out of control
How to handle a nervous breakdown?
- Reach out for help immediately
- Talk to someone you trust
- Contact a mental health professional
- Focus on basic needs like eating and sleeping
- Remove yourself from stressful situations when possible
How long does a breakdown last?
- Varies by person
- Acute symptoms often improve within days to weeks with treatment
- Full recovery can take months
- Depends on underlying causes and treatment approach
How do I know if I’m breaking down?
- Normal activities feel impossible
- Intense emotional reactions to small things
- Can’t function at work or home
- Feel like you’re losing control of thoughts and emotions
