Nervous breakdowns often occur when someone is suffering from extreme stress and does not have access to the support they need. This is different from a common panic or anxiety attack and can have serious consequences without intervention.
If you believe you are experiencing a mental breakdown, it is important to know how to deal with this and where to find help. Spokane Heights Detox offers mental health support and resources to help you recover from a nervous breakdown and get your life back on track.
What Is a Nervous Breakdown?
A nervous breakdown, also referred to as a mental breakdown, is a term used to describe a period of extreme mental or emotional stress. This stress is so overwhelming that the person is unable to cope with their daily activities and responsibilities.
It is important to note that “nervous breakdown” is not a clinical term and is not used by mental health professionals. However, it can be a sign of an underlying mental health condition, such as anxiety or depression.
What Causes Nervous Breakdowns?
There is no single cause of a nervous breakdown. Rather, these episodes are often caused by a combination of factors that lead to overwhelming stress. Some of the most common contributors to a mental breakdown include:
- Stressful life events: These can be sudden, traumatic events like the death of a loved one or a serious accident. They can also be long-term stressors, such as chronic work pressure, relationship problems, or financial difficulties.
- Unmanaged mental health conditions: Underlying conditions like anxiety, depression, or PTSD can make people more susceptible to breakdowns when faced with additional stress.
- Lack of coping skills: People who lack healthy ways to manage stress are more likely to experience a breakdown. This could include difficulty expressing emotions, bottling things up, or resorting to unhealthy habits.
- Lack of social support: Strong social connections are important for emotional well-being. People who feel isolated or alone may have a harder time coping with stress.
- Poor self-care: Not getting enough sleep, eating unhealthy foods, and neglecting physical activity can all contribute to stress and make it harder to cope.
If you are feeling overwhelmed or on the verge of a breakdown, it is important to reach out for help. A mental health professional can help you understand your symptoms and find healthy ways to cope with them.
How Many People Experience Nervous Breakdowns?
Studies show that an estimated 26% of Americans ages 18 and older suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder. These range anywhere from anxiety to depression, schizophrenia, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Nervous breakdowns are not a clinical term, which means there is no specific research available on how common these are. That said, mental health conditions that are left untreated are more likely to worsen and lead to severe symptoms.
Over time, these can contribute to a person’s likelihood of experiencing a drastic mental health episode. This, of course, includes nervous breakdowns. These can have serious consequences for the individual, which is why it is so important to seek help as soon as possible.
How Long Do Nervous Breakdowns Last?
The term “nervous breakdown” itself is not a clinical diagnosis, so there is no set timeframe for how long it lasts. It can vary greatly depending on the individual and the circumstances. With that said, there are a few things you can keep in mind when it comes to the duration of a mental breakdown:
- It can range from hours to weeks: The duration depends on the severity of the stress and the person’s ability to cope.
- Individual factors play a big role: Factors like underlying mental health conditions, coping skills, and social support can significantly impact recovery time.
- Early intervention is key: Seeking professional help can shorten the duration and severity of a breakdown. With treatment, symptoms typically improve within six months.
Overall, there is no definitive answer to the question, “How long does a nervous breakdown last.” However, it can be assumed that this will generally last longer than an anxiety or panic attack and will involve more serious symptoms.
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What Are the Signs and Symptoms of a Nervous Breakdown?
A nervous breakdown can manifest through a combination of emotional, mental, and physical signs. Knowing how to recognize the signs of a nervous breakdown can help you take preventative measures and seek help in a timely manner.
Physical Signs
There are several physical signs and symptoms associated with a nervous breakdown, including:
- Fatigue and Exhaustion: Feeling constantly drained and lacking energy.
- Headaches and Body Aches: Unexplained physical pain or discomfort.
- Stomach Issues: Digestive problems like constipation, diarrhea, or nausea.
- Panic Attacks or Anxiety Symptoms: Experiencing physical symptoms of anxiety like a racing heart, shortness of breath, or dizziness.
Behavioral Signs
There are several behavioral signs associated with a mental breakdown. Some of the most common include:
- Withdrawal from Social Activities: Isolating yourself from friends, family, and social events.
- Changes in Sleep Patterns: Insomnia, excessive sleepiness, or disrupted sleep cycles.
- Changes in Appetite: Significant loss of appetite or overeating.
- Negative Self-Talk: A constant stream of critical or belittling thoughts about yourself.
- Thoughts of Self-harm or Suicide: In severe cases, experiencing thoughts of harming yourself or ending your life.
Emotional Signs
There are several emotional signs and symptoms that can occur with a nervous breakdown, including:
- Overwhelm and Inability to Cope: Feeling constantly overloaded and unable to manage daily tasks or responsibilities.
- Hopelessness and Helplessness: A pervasive sense of despair and lacking control over your situation.
- Irritability and Anger: Increased frustration, short temper, and difficulty managing emotions.
- Emotional Numbness: Feeling emotionally disconnected or unable to experience joy or sadness.
- Difficulty Concentrating: Finding it hard to focus on tasks or complete work.
Is a Nervous Breakdown the Same Thing as a Psychotic Break?
While the two may seem similar, a nervous breakdown and a psychotic break are not the same thing. That said, they can be related. As discussed, a nervous breakdown is not a clinical diagnosis. Rather, it is a general term used to refer to a period of extreme mental or emotional stress.
This, unlike a psychotic break, does not involve losing touch with reality (hallucinations, delusions). Furthermore, recovery times for a mental breakdown can vary but generally improve within weeks to months with help.
A psychotic break, on the other hand, refers to a sudden episode where someone loses touch with reality. Symptoms typically include hallucinations (seeing/hearing things that aren’t there), delusions (fixed false beliefs), disorganized speech, and bizarre behavior.
A key feature of these episodes is a break from reality. This kind of episode requires immediate professional help to ensure safety and manage symptoms. While these two breakdowns are different, there are connections between them.
For starters, one can be triggered by overwhelming stress. A nervous breakdown may be a sign of an underlying condition that could lead to psychosis (like schizophrenia). This is why it is so important to seek professional help as soon as possible if you are experiencing a nervous breakdown.
Getting Help For a Nervous Breakdown
If you or someone you know is experiencing a nervous breakdown, it is crucial to seek help. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger of harming themselves or others, it is important to call 911 or your local emergency services.
For less serious situations, there are several resources available. Seeking professional help at a treatment center can be a good idea. Treatment centers like Spokane Heights can provide the safety and structure you need to recover from your breakdown.
Professional Help at a Treatment Center
At Spokane Heights, we offer a diverse staff of mental health and medical professionals. They can assess your situation, provide a diagnosis, and recommend an appropriate treatment plan. This may include therapy, medication, or a combination of both.
Our facility offers a variety of therapies on both an inpatient and outpatient basis to help you combat your symptoms, including (but not limited to):
- Individual Therapy
- Group Therapy
- Family Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Holistic Therapies
Taking time to recover at our treatment facility can give you the peace of mind and support you need to focus solely on your recovery. This can be crucial to achieving the skills and tools you need to maintain lasting well-being.
Support Groups for Stress and Anxiety
The most important thing to remember if you are going through a nervous breakdown is that you are not alone. Many people experience mental health challenges, and there are several support groups for stress and anxiety available to you.
If you are looking for support in your recovery journey, Spokane Heights is here to help. We are available 24/7 to help you understand your treatment options and get started on the path to a happier, healthier life as soon as possible.
