Mental Breakdown is a form of distress that occurs in response to stress and anxiety triggers and makes a person not only unable to enjoy work, recreation, and daily life but also unable to handle the simplest daily activities such as brushing teeth or taking a shower. Do you know the root of this crisis and which people are most exposed to it? Join us to discuss it in detail and look at its treatment methods.
What is a mental breakdown?
Nervous Breakdown is a term used to describe a type of mental health crisis. Sometimes, as a result of fundamental changes, financial problems, or sudden grief, a person experiences a lot of stress, anxiety, and worry so that he stops doing the most minor activities of daily life. For example, he cannot cope with the small and large challenges of life and is always under physical, mental, and emotional pressure. This condition is called a nervous, psychological, or mental breakdown and describes the disintegration of the person’s mind. People with a family history of anxiety disorders are more prone to this collapse.
Symptoms of a nervous breakdown
These symptoms are sometimes physical, sometimes psychological, and occasionally behavioral.
Some of the psychological and behavioral symptoms of nervous Breakdown are:
- They have anxiety that they cannot control. This anxiety is accompanied by hopelessness, helplessness, worry, difficulty concentrating, and occasional thoughts of self-harm.
- They sink into isolation and become disinterested in being with family and friends or doing daily activities.
- They cannot concentrate and make decisions appropriately.
- They always feel weak and cannot be cheerful.
- They suffer from illusions and are unable to distinguish reality from their mental images, or they constantly feel that someone is watching and chasing them.
The physical symptoms of this condition include:
- They are always tired and have low energy because they don’t sleep well at night.
- Due to constant fatigue and reluctance to observe personal hygiene, they become weak against various diseases.
- They feel tension and muscle pain in the jaw, neck, or back area.
- They struggle with stomach cramps and irregular bowel movements.
- They always have heart palpitations and are breathing hard due to annoying panic attacks.
- Their hands are always cold or flushed and hot.
What are the causes of mental Breakdown?
Events that cause a lot of stress can be considered the most critical factors of mental collapse. Let’s see the most important causes of mental Breakdown and what triggers happen in response.
- Great sadness in personal life, such as mourning the death of loved ones or divorce;
- financial pressure;
- family turmoil and marital problems;
- continuous work stress ( burnout ) and issues related to the work environment or school;
- chronic physical and mental injuries;
- insomnia and other sleep disorders ;
- Violence.
Don’t forget that people have different “breaking points.” An event that can lead to a complete psychological collapse for one person may be a transient and controllable event for another person.
Diagnosis of mental Breakdown
During the diagnosis session, the doctor will ask you about your health history and that of your family members and check the herbal and chemical medicines you are taking. Be honest with your doctor about your drug and alcohol use, and be honest about your bothersome symptoms. The doctor may perform a physical examination and prescribe some tests to ensure that physical diseases do not cause the person’s condition. Finally, after making sure that this problem is rooted in the psyche, he will refer you to mental health professionals to start treatment.
Methods of inhibition and treatment of nervous collapse
1. Psychotherapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most effective form of psychotherapy to curb mental Breakdown. The goal of the therapist in these sessions is to treat anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems by changing the person’s way of thinking, feeling, and behavior. The therapist identifies problematic thought patterns and teaches the individual coping skills to better respond to challenging situations to achieve this goal.
During CBT sessions, while discussing your symptoms and describing your moods and feelings, you explore your thoughts and behaviors more deeply than ever to find the best answer. You will also learn to deal with life’s delicate and significant issues by using problem-solving skills and keeping your body and soul calm.
2. drug therapy
No doctor prescribes pills and drugs to treat a mental breakdown. Still, if the leading cause of the mental Breakdown is anxiety, depression, insomnia, or other serious mental health problems, he will prescribe drugs to treat them.
3. changing lifestyle
The most advanced state of nervous Breakdown can be curbed and treated with minor lifestyle changes. Of course, provided that the changes are continuous.
- Eat a healthy and balanced diet containing a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, protein, nuts, seeds, and legumes. Good nutrition increases body energy and sleep quality so the body feels less weak and tired.
- Eliminate stimulants such as caffeine, alcohol, and drugs from your daily diet.
- Use relaxation techniques such as meditation, breathing exercises, acupuncture, and massage therapy to deal with stress.
- Have a regular sleep routine. For example, take a hot bath one hour before bed, turn off all electronic devices, and read a book.
- Exercising is a pain reliever for many chronic and transitory mental illnesses, especially if it encourages a person to be in a group in the form of a group activity.
- Include short breaks between daily tasks and organize your mind. At the end of each day, review the achievements and studies done, and if you didn’t manage to complete some tasks, include them suppressing and bragging instead of stopping and bragging.
- Don’t stop the counseling sessions until the complete recovery of stress, anxiety, depression, and mental health.
How long does it take to treat a mental breakdown?
Getting out of the trap of mental crises does not have a specific time. Everyone struggles with the symptoms of a nervous breakdown for a different amount of time, depending on the severity of their stress and the individual’s ability to deal with it. If the doctor diagnoses the root causes correctly and the treatment period is started, we can hope that the symptoms of the crisis will disappear within six months.
How to help these people?
- Listen to what they have to say. The need to be heard during a nervous breakdown is stronger than ever.
- Be empathetic and acknowledge their suffering. Never trivialize the reason for their bad mood.
- Do not open your mouth to advice. Just ask how you can help.
- Please encourage them to go to a counselor without sarcasm.
- If you see signs of self-harm or suicidal thoughts in the person’s speech or behavior, be sure to inform the family and the specialist doctor.
last word
Nervous or psychological collapse is a strong reaction of our mind to stress, anxiety, and other traumatic factors. Controlling and treating this distress requires severe effort and dogmatic determination of the individual to gradually overcome its physical, mental, and behavioral symptoms and regain mental health. In this way, the therapist’s guidance accelerates the recovery of the patient’s disorganized mind.
How much do you know about mental Breakdown? If you have experience in this field, we are eager to hear your opinions and valuable knowledge.
Warning! This article is only for educational purposes; to use it, it is necessary to consult a doctor or specialist.
