What happens physically when you have a nervous breakdown?

Symptoms of a nervous breakdown may include emotional distress as well as physical effects, like chest pains and difficulty breathing. This kind of breakdown typically comes after experiencing a great deal of stress that you find you can't cope with in healthy ways.

Can a nervous breakdown affect you physically?

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 ...

What are the physical symptoms of a nervous breakdown?

feeling anxious, depressed, tearful, or irritable. feeling emotionally and physically exhausted. experiencing agitation and muscle tension. sleeping too much or too little.

How long does it take body to recover from nervous breakdown?

The Duration of a Nervous Breakdown Varies by Individual

These mental health crises are highly variable, lasting a few hours for one person or weeks for another. There are many risk factors for having a nervous breakdown, and the more an individual has, the greater the chance is that a breakdown will last longer.

What happens if a nervous breakdown is left untreated?

Untreated mental health conditions can result in unnecessary disability, unemployment, substance abuse, homelessness, inappropriate incarceration, and suicide, and poor quality of life. The economic cost of untreated mental illness is more than 100 billion dollars each year in the United States.

Defining a Nervous Breakdown

What triggers a nervous breakdown?

A nervous breakdown is ultimately caused by an inability to cope with large amounts of stress, but how that manifests exactly varies by individual. Work stress, mental illness, family responsibilities, and poor coping strategies are all things that can lead to a nervous breakdown and the inability to function normally.

Should I go to the hospital for a nervous breakdown?

Since a mental breakdown lasts several hours to a few weeks, you should seek immediate mental health care as soon as you realize the first symptoms. Getting help is normal and will help you return to your normal state more shortly.

What is the difference between a nervous breakdown and a mental breakdown?

A nervous breakdown is also known as a mental breakdown. The term is not an official diagnosis and is not used by the medical community. However, it is sometimes used to describe when mental distress suddenly becomes so overwhelming that a person can't function in their day-to-day life.

Can you recover from a nervous breakdown?

It's important to remember that even if you or a loved one is having or has had a mental breakdown, it is a temporary condition. With the right treatment, you, or your loved one, can recover and begin to heal.

What is worse than a nervous breakdown?

A psychotic breakdown is any nervous breakdown that triggers symptoms of psychosis, which refers to losing touch with reality. Psychosis is more often associated with very serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia, but anyone can experience these symptoms if stress becomes overwhelming, triggering a breakdown.

How do you survive a nervous breakdown?

Treatment for a nervous breakdown may involve therapy, medication, and self-care or lifestyle changes. Working with a therapist can help someone manage negative emotions, explore the causes of those feelings, and change thoughts and behaviors to minimize stress and better cope with it.

How do you know if your having a breakdown?

Can nervous breakdown lead to death?

For instance, a 2017 study suggests that severe mental stress could lead to sudden death from heart disease or cardiovascular issues. In addition, a 2021 study shows that physical and psychological stressors can lead to sudden cardiac death (SCD).

Can a nervous breakdown be treated at home?

“Rest is perhaps the most curative 'home remedy' for a nervous breakdown.” Hamlett recommends limiting daily obligations and engaging in stress-reducing activities such as watching pleasant television shows, spending time with pets, exercising, spending time in nature, meditating or doing deep-breathing techniques.

Is a nervous breakdown a psychotic break?

A mental breakdown does not exclude the possibility of psychosis, but a psychotic break refers specifically to an episode of psychosis. Typically, a psychotic break indicates the first onset of psychotic symptoms for a person or the sudden onset of psychotic symptoms after a period of remission.

What does extreme stress do to the body?

Stress that's left unchecked can contribute to many health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and diabetes.

What does it feel like before you have a mental breakdown?

Anxiety or depression

"Where you get into problems is when that stressor is ongoing and persistent, and the person's coping resources are overwhelmed." If you're headed for a nervous breakdown, you might feel weepy, or even experience episodes of uncontrollable crying, Engle said.

What medication is prescribed for a nervous breakdown?

Some of the most commonly used include: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram oxalate (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine HCI (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft).

How does a person act when they have a mental breakdown?

Feelings of intense sadness, worry, anxiety, fear, or nervousness. Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, powerlessness, or shame. Anger, irritability, mood swings, or emotional outbursts. Loss of interest in activities.

What organs are affected by stress?

What happens when your body is in constant fight or flight mode?

The body turns on the "fight or flight" response, but is prevented from turning it off again. This produces constant anxiety and overreaction to stimulation, followed by the paradoxical response called "learned helplessness," in which victims apparently lose all motivation.

When should you walk away from someone with mental illness?

When Is It Time to Walk Away? In some cases, the decision to leave is obvious. If physical abuse is present to any degree, and especially if the individual fears for their own life or well-being or that of their children, it's important to leave as soon as possible. Safety is the number one priority.

Can you go back to normal after a nervous breakdown?

It's important to remember that even if you or a loved one is having or has had a mental breakdown, it is a temporary condition. With the right treatment, you, or your loved one, can recover and begin to heal.

Can a nervous breakdown last for months?

A breakdown can last anything from a few hours to months and even years. It is also known as a mental or nervous breakdown or reaching rock bottom.

Do you ever recover from a breakdown?

It is possible to recover from mental health problems, and many people do – especially after accessing support. Your symptoms may return from time to time, but when you've discovered which self-care techniques and treatments work best for you, you're more likely to feel confident in managing them.