A breakdown can refer to a mental health crisis, a failure of a system, or a physical breakdown of an object. If you are referring to a mental health breakdown, it can feel like a range of emotions, physical sensations, and behaviors that can be overwhelming and interfere with daily life. People who feel they are having a nervous breakdown can:
- have anxiety that they can’t manage
- feel isolated — disinterested in the company of family and friends, or withdrawing from usual daily activities
- feel overwhelmed — unable to concentrate or make decisions
- have crying spells: frequent crying or feeling tearful for no apparent reason
- be moody — feeling low or depression; feeling burnt out; emotional outbursts of uncontrollable anger, fear, helplessness or crying
- feel depersonalised — not feeling like themselves or feeling detached from situations
- be delusional – not be able to distinguish what’s real from what’s imagined
- have hallucinations — vivid flashbacks of a stressful or traumatic event can be associated with post-traumatic stress disorder — you should discuss any hallucinations or flashbacks with a doctor or counsellor
- feel paranoid — believing someone is watching or stalking you
- have thoughts of self-harm — if you have thoughts of self-harm, get professional help immediately
Physical symptoms can include:
- insomnia — when you have a lot on your mind it can be difficult to sleep, or sleep can be disrupted
- exhaustion — difficulty sleeping or anxiety can make you feel exhausted and lacking the energy to face routine tasks
- frequent illnesses — exhaustion can leave you susceptible to infections
- muscle pain — sore and stiff muscles, particularly in the jaw, neck or back from muscle tension
- bowel problems— stomach cramps and irregular bowel movements
- racing heart— feeling like your heart is racing, tightness across the chest or a lump in your throat, which can make it seem difficult to breathe (a panic attack)
- sweats — hot or cold flushes and clammy hands
The underlying mental health conditions may be depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Life stressors, such as divorce or trauma, may add to the situation and be the trigger for the breakdown. If a person has poor coping skills to start with or a lack of social support, their resilience (the ability to cope during periods of adversity) will be lower.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a breakdown, it is important to seek professional help from a mental health professional. With the right treatment and support, it is possible to recover from a mental health crisis and regain a sense of stability and well-being.