Emotional Breakdown and How To Help

 

All people feel some degree of stress in their life, yet an emotional breakdown is different than this. 

When pressure begins to overwhelm an individual to the point where their professional or personal wellbeing is compromised. Symptoms of a nervous breakdown are then apparent. 

So, if you are experiencing the signs of a breakdown, you may be afraid to discuss what is happening. 

Similarly, you may find yourself hesitant to reach out to a close friend or family member who is struggling with such an issue.

What is an Emotional Breakdown? 

An emotional breakdown can be described as an anxiety or panic attack, a trauma disorder, or stress that can lead to serious consequences if left untreated. 

In many cases, a major psychological disorder is not diagnosed until a nervous breakdown occurs, as it is the event that finally brings someone into inpatient mental health treatment. 

Secondly, the term emotional breakdown can be used to describe a personal meltdown of an individual who just does not know how to cope with a current situation. 

This can include episodes of uncontrollable weeping, withdrawal from loved ones and an inability to connect with everyday life. 

While still quite devastating, this latter description is much more easy to resolve and usually does not seriously endanger a person.

What Are The Symptoms of an Emotional Breakdown? 

These breakdown symptoms vary greatly from person to person, yet usually involve some combination of physical and emotional characteristics. 

A disinterest in life whether it be it professional or family related is usually the most common. In some cases, there is a significant event that causes a breakdown to spiral out of control. An example might be a sudden loss of a child, or divorce. 

Those on the brink of such a breakdown may also experience changes in their sleep patterns, either sleeping extraordinarily little or not being able to rouse themselves out of bed. 

Changes in appetite can occur, with binge eating or a complete lack of desire for food being the most common manifestations.

Whatever the cause or reason, signs of a nervous breakdown should not be ignored. Rarely is there a circumstance where an individual experiencing such symptoms just needs to “take it easy.” 

Tips To Help Others in their Emotional Breakdown

It is usually a serious predicament, not often something an individual is able to pull herself out of with her own strength or willpower. 

If you know someone having an emotional breakdown, the first thing you can do is be a good listener. Sometimes people need others to share with; this can help them overcome what they are feeling. 

This means that as the listener, you do not have to give advice or your opinion on the situation.

You can cause more damage if you encourage an individual to just “snap out of it”. Or tell them “other people have it worse.” 

This can invalidate emotions and compel them to feel ashamed or guilty about their current situation.

Confidentiality is key when helping someone who is having a breakdown. 

Remember the struggle is not your news to share, and it is important you remain non-judgmental and practice self-restraint. 

If you cannot do this, find someone who can, and do not leave a person unattended at the height of crisis.

Fortunately, many people are able to bounce back from an emotional breakdown after the root issue is resolved, yet not all! 

Advocate for Mental Health Services

Sometimes this involves a change of circumstance, and often it means counseling and / or psychotropic medication or supplements. There are so many options and resources for those who are hurting spiritually and emotionally. They just need to find them.

Never be afraid to express your concern for a friend or family member. As your commitment and self-sacrifice may even save a life.

It is natural to experience anger, jealousy, and hurt yet it is all about how you handle those emotions. Have you ever felt so overwhelmed by these emotions, or that you spend too much energy getting over them? Everyone could use some healthy options for dealing with difficult emotions. Some healthy options include going for a walk, or even calling a friend to talk.

Lifestyle modifications can help you prevent a nervous breakdown. They can also help lessen the severity and frequency of them. These include:

• getting regular exercise at least 3 times a week, which can be as simple as walking around your neighborhood for 30 minutes.
• going to a therapist or attending counseling sessions to manage stress
• avoiding drugs, alcohol, caffeine, and other substances that create stress on the body
• getting regular sleep and sleeping for at least six hours a night
• incorporating relaxation techniques like deep breathing into your daily routine.
• reducing your stress level by pacing yourself and taking mini-breaks. Better organizing your environment and daily activities, and keeping a daily to-do list

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Learn more about how LCAT can help improve your life at What We Do.