This can include a recent death, breakup, or divorce. Trauma can include living through a natural disaster, being a victim of theft, violence, or domestic abuse.
You may want to be happy and feel normal, but you can no longer enjoy your favorite activities.
Irritability Anger combined with guilt and remorse Excessive crying spells Phases of extreme quietness Depressive phases
Pay attention if you’ve let your work slide. Even if you come into work, observe your productivity and if it differs drastically from last month.
Lack of energy Fatigue Lack of ability to concentrate Decreased attention Isolation
Interpreting meanings in a negative way Having a negative filter in your mind, which only allows negative things to pass through. Thoughts that say the situation and nervous breakdown will never go away and that you will feel like this forever.
Sometimes it is difficult to get back to sleep due to racing thoughts and excessive thinking. Though you may feel a need for sleep and feel constantly tired, getting a good night’s rest becomes more and more difficult with each passing day.
Tense, clenched muscles Clammy hands Dizziness Panic attacks
Even basic daily activities such as showering, eating, or even getting out of bed may feel like too much energy to complete.
Trembling and shaking may be physical manifestations of all the stress your body and mind are experiencing.
Isolation can lead to and exacerbate stress, so make continual efforts to spend time with friends regularly. Talk to a trusted friend or family member. Sharing your problems and worries with someone else will ease the burden slightly and help you to feel less alone.
If you need help finding a therapist, check out How to Choose a Therapist
It’s important to force yourself to eat regular, healthy meals, even if you don’t feel like it. Try to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. Consider cutting caffeine from your diet. Caffeine can agitate symptoms of anxiety and disrupt sleep.
Start by taking a short walk everyday, even if it’s just around the block. Over time, you can build up the intensity and frequency of your exercise. Once you feel ready, you can sign up for a class or join a sports team so you can be sociable while you exercise. Think about classes like dancing, swimming, spinning or kickboxing.
Take some time off work, if necessary, and go on a vacation or just spend time with friends and loved ones. Find activities that help to relax you - whether it’s going for a long run, meditating, or taking a long bubble bath.
Learn how to set boundaries so you don’t wind up in the same situation again. Identify where your limits are and make a conscious effort not to cross them again. For more information, check out How to Prevent a Mental Breakdown
Learn how to set boundaries so you don’t wind up in the same situation again. Identify where your limits are and make a conscious effort not to cross them again. For more information, check out How to Prevent a Mental Breakdown
Stay positive about your recovery and know that having a nervous breakdown doesn’t define you as a person. Remember that you have a happy, bright future ahead of you.
