A nervous or mental breakdown can be used to describe a period in which a person experiences severe mental stress which he/she might be unable to handle at that moment. This term was formerly used to describe depression, acute stress disorder, and anxiety. The term is now no longer used in medical language, but can still be used in normal conversation by a person to express an extremely stressful patch in their lives, leading to an inability to cope with the situation. It is not a psychological or mental health disorder but can severely affect your day-to-day functions and it can be very draining emotionally.

The causes of a nervous breakdown can stem from several reasons like:

• Constant work stress and deadline pressures building up

• A recent loss of a loved one

• Financial trouble

• Personal issues like divorce, miscarriages, relocation

• lack of sleep

• chronic medical conditions

You could also be at risk of developing a mental breakdown if:

• There is a familial history of anxiety disorders

• There is a personal history of anxiety disorders

• An ongoing issue that is causing a stressful situation, that cannot be resolved immediately

So what are the signs to look out for indicating that you might be heading towards a mental breakdown?

1. Extreme exhaustion- This type of exhaustion will not go away no matter how many hours you rest. There is a sense of sluggishness and lethargy in performing even the simplest of tasks and affects your mood.

2. Hallucinations- You might find yourself seeing or hearing things that do not exist. Hallucinations could be a sign of underlying real health disorders like schizophrenia, epilepsy, and even Parkinson’s disease. If you find yourself experiencing this, you must seek medical care immediately.

3. Panic attacks- This is characterized by shallow breathing and a sense of tightness in the chest. It is a condition of sudden onset, caused by intense fear, and triggers severe physical reactions even in the event of no real threat. It subsides once you distance yourself from the threat, but when it hits you can be very difficult to cope with at that moment. It feels almost as if the world is closing in on you.

4. Symptoms of anxiety- A common underlying cause of a nervous breakdown is anxiety. Anxiety may be rooted in a person’s low self-esteem or feelings of helplessness, which might cause them to withdraw from their friends and family. These coping mechanisms further increase your stress levels and result in a mental breakdown.

5. Severe Mood Swings- Rapid and regular mood swings could be a sign of an impending nervous breakdown or a more severe mental illness.

Our busy and stressful lifestyle does put us at an increased risk of a mental breakdown every day. It is very important that you take a break once in a while and relax. Exercise, a good diet and relaxation techniques like meditation help reduce stress levels significantly. If you feel that you are still unable to cope with the stress and it is having a serious impact on your life it is necessary that you seek professional help immediately.

References:

https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/nervous-breakdown#selfcare-tips