Recognizing the Signs of a Nervous Breakdown: Symptoms, Causes, and Coping Strategies

A nervous breakdown is a term often used to describe a state of being overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, and emotional strain. While it is not classified as a formal medical diagnosis, it undeniably represents a significant mental health crisis that disrupts daily life and seriously affects physical, emotional, and psychological well-being.

Understanding the symptoms, causes, and potential treatment options for a nervous breakdown is crucial. (n.d.). Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome – Urgent Care Center of Arlington, VA. Urgent Care Center of Arlington, VA. This knowledge empowers you to recognize the signs in yourself or others and take proactive steps toward recovery. This article will guide you through an understanding of a nervous breakdown, the factors that contribute to it, and the ways to navigate toward healing and support.

What Does a Nervous Breakdown Feel Like?

A nervous breakdown can be described as a stressful time in a person’s life when it becomes too physically and emotionally overwhelming to cope and deal with (healthdirect, n.d.).

When feelings of stress and anxiety are constant in one’s life, and they start to build up to a level that negatively impacts a person’s daily life and routines, healthcare providers may describe it as a nervous breakdown (Health Direct, n.d.).

If you’re going through a nervous breakdown, you may feel (Health Direct, n.d.):

  • Unmanageable anxiety or depression
  • Withdrawal from daily habits, activities, and appointments
  • Feelings of hopelessness or helplessness
  • The feeling of neglecting your hygiene
  • Constantly angry and/or irritable
  • Like having hallucinations
  • Paranoid, nervous and scared

Physical symptoms of a nervous breakdown can include:

  • Sleep problems like insomnia
  • Digestive issues like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
  • Chest pains and heart pains
  • Sweating
  • Changes in one’s sexual interest or desire
What is a nervous breakdown?

What Causes a Nervous Breakdown?

A nervous breakdown can be caused by one singular event that causes an individual to have extreme stress (healthdirect, n.d.). It can also be caused by unmanaged health conditions such as depression or PTSD (n.d. Mindfull X Shield – Nervous Breakdown & How You Can Treat It. Mindfull.)

A nervous breakdown can be the result of a person’s inability to cope with their constant stress, anxiety, and fear (Health Direct, n.d.).

Other factors that may affect your mental health and cause you to go through a nervous breakdown include (n.d. How might Parkinson’s affect your mental health?)

  • Barely any social support
  • A slow, constant build-up of stress, anxiety, and fear
  • Being unemployed and homeless
  • Financial, work-related, and interrelationship problems
  • Lacking coping skills and the resilience needed to deal with stress, anxiety, and fear

What Should I Do if I Think I’m Having a Nervous Breakdown?

If you’re feeling like you’re having a nervous breakdown or on the verge of a breakdown, the best thing you can do is step away from the stressful situation. Think of this as your “time out”; give yourself a moment to calm your body and mind. Deep breathing exercises can also help you through a nervous breakdown (Cleveland Clinic, 2022). 

If your nervous breakdown has reached a point where you feel it is out of control, please contact your healthcare provider. 

How Long Does a Nervous Breakdown Last?

For most people, a nervous breakdown can last anywhere from a couple of days to a few weeks. Factors such as underlying stress and mental health issues can lead to prolonged symptoms born from a nervous breakdown.

What Causes a Nervous Breakdown?

Causes of stress that can become too overwhelming to handle, thus causing a nervous breakdown, include (Cleveland Clinic, 2022):

  • A recent severe personal tragedy like the loss of a loved one, divorce, or becoming homeless
  • Trouble in family or love relationships
  • Ongoing stress, such as work stress, school-related issues, etc.
  • A chronic medical condition or an existing health condition getting worse
  • Being too stressed out to sleep (e.g. insomnia)

Treatment Options for a Nervous Breakdown

If your nervous breakdown is severe enough that it requires attention from a healthcare provider, understand that there are multiple treatment plans to deal with such high amounts of stress, anxiety, and fear. Treatment can significantly reduce its length and impact (Charlie Health, n.d.). Here are a few common forms of treatment for a nervous breakdown:

Therapy

A variety of therapeutic approaches, including psychodynamic treatment and psychotherapy (talk therapy), can considerably decrease the symptoms and duration of mental breakdown. You can look into the root causes of worry and pain by participating in treatment. Therapy can also help equip a person with coping strategies to manage stress, relaxation techniques, and anxiety while promoting emotional regulation (Charlie Health, n.d.).

Medication

Prescribed medicines like antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications can help support individuals as they go through a breakdown. 

Lifestyle changes and self-care

Making lifestyle adjustments such as prioritizing your sleep schedule, working out at least thrice a week, eating a balanced diet, and using stress-reduction techniques might aid on the path to recovery from a nervous breakdown (n.d.). YouthAOD Toolbox. Worker Self-Care | YouthAOD Toolbox.) 

Alternative treatments

Yoga, meditation, mindfulness practices, and other comprehensive treatments can also help you recover from a nervous breakdown. These applications can help reduce stress, improve emotional dysregulation, and support a faster recovery from a nervous breakdown (Charlie Health, n.d.).

References


Charlie Health. (n.d.). How Long Does a Nervous Breakdown Last? 

Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome – Urgent Care Center of Arlington, VA. 

Cleveland Clinic. (2022, April 19th). Nervous Breakdown (Mental Health Crisis)

Healthdirect. (n.d.). Nervous breakdown – symptoms, treatments and causes

How might Parkinson’s affect your mental health? (n.d.)