The term “nervous breakdown” is sometimes used to describe a stressful situation, in which someone becomes temporarily dysfunctional in day-to-day life.
It’s commonly understood to occur when life’s demands become physically and emotionally overwhelming.
Nervous Breakdown is not a clinical term. There is no psychiatric definition of a nervous breakdown and it has nothing to do with nerves. But that does not mean it is a normal or a healthy response to stress.
It may indicate an underlying mental health problem that needs attention, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, post traumatic stress disorder or something else.
Most of us take these symptoms lightly or we are quick to judge the person, saying he or she is going mad. It is painful to see the any person or the loved one with it.
But the reference to a nervous breakdown usually refers to the fact that the person has basically stopped his/her daily routine- going to work, interacting with loved ones or friends, even just getting out of bed to eat or shower.
It can be seen as a sign that one’s ability to cope with life or a mental illness has been overwhelmed by stress, life events, work or relationship issues.
Symptoms of nervous breakdown include negative feelings, such as feelings of nervousness and stress.
A nervous breakdown usually corresponds to the period of high stress in one’s life, or a time when one feels that they just cannot take it anymore.
Common symptoms of nervous breakdown-
Symptoms that might indicate a serious condition
It may be a result from a variety of other situations including:
A single incidence of nervous breakdown may not have any complications. One may be able to treat it with lifestyle modification and counseling.
However, in serious cases can lead to a more severe disorder.
If you are concerned that you are experiencing a nervous breakdown, get help.
If you have a primary care doctor, talk to him or her about your signs and symptoms or seek help from a mental health provider.
A nervous breakdown is not a condition to be afraid of, as it is simply an indication of overwhelming stress and mental illness in a person’s life.
Loved ones and friends of someone who is suffering from a nervous breakdown should be supportive of the individual’s efforts in seeking help for it.
contributed by Ms Jyoti Bernard Clinical Psycholgist at Tulasi Health Care. For queries email on [email protected]
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