What is an emotional breakdown?

An emotional breakdown, also known as a nervous breakdown, mental breakdown, or mental health crisis, is a period of severe emotional distress, where a person may feel paralyzed and entirely incapable of coping with life's challenges, says Sabrina Romanoff, PsyD, a clinical psychologist and professor at Yeshiva ...


What triggers an emotional breakdown?

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. The good news is that nervous breakdowns are treatable and manageable.

What are the signs of a breakdown?

feel overwhelmed — unable to concentrate or make decisions. be moody — feeling low or depression; feeling burnt out; emotional outbursts of uncontrollable anger, fear, helplessness or crying. feel depersonalised — not feeling like themselves or feeling detached from situations.


How long does an emotional breakdown last?

A nervous breakdown can last from a few hours to a few weeks. If your breakdown has been going on for a while, and you need some relief, the following ten tips are for you. They will help you not only survive this difficult time, but they might even help you grow from this difficult experience.

What do emotional breakdowns feel like?

Feeling very sad, hopeless, helpless or worried. Being irritated, frustrated or having outbursts. Having trouble concentrating. Having thoughts of self-harm or suicide.


7 Signs of A Mental Breakdown



What are the 5 signs of emotional suffering?

Common warning signs of emotional distress include:
  • Eating or sleeping too much or too little.
  • Pulling away from people and things.
  • Having low or no energy.
  • Having unexplained aches and pains, such as constant stomachaches or headaches.
  • Feeling helpless or hopeless.


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

Emotional outbursts including anger – sometimes with no obvious cause. Panic attacks. Depression, such as feeling a loss of hope, a sense of failure, suicidal thoughts and/or self-harm.

What is the difference between a 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.


How does a mental breakdown last?

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 is an example of a mental breakdown?

Loss of interest in activities and other things. Mood swings and outbursts. Emotional numbness. Significant changes in daily patterns, such as sleep, appetite and eating, or self-care.

What happens if I have a mental breakdown?

If you suffer a nervous breakdown you may feel extreme anxiety or fear, intense stress, and as if you simply can't cope with any of the emotional demands you feel. This crisis will leave you unable to function normally, to go to work or school, to take care of children, or to do any of your usual activities.


Should I go to the hospital for a mental breakdown?

If you're having a mental health emergency, it's important to get help right away. Though the thought of going to the emergency room (ER) might be daunting, it's often the best way to keep you safe during the crisis. Visiting the ER can connect you with resources that will help you manage and overcome these issues.

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.

What happens if you go to the hospital for a mental breakdown?

Your team of mental health professionals will determine a working diagnosis and plan of action for treatment. Depending on your evaluation, you may be given medication, provided crisis counseling, or receive a referral for treatment after leaving the hospital.


What losing your mind feels like?

Losing your mind may be experienced as extreme confusion, distress and/or dissociation from oneself. It may be so overwhelming that it leads to anxiety and panic attacks. You are not alone in feeling this way, and to answer the question again; it is highly unlikely that you're losing your mind.

What are the symptoms of a severe 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.

How can you tell if someone is emotionally damaged?

Some signs of being emotionally broken include low self-esteem, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and in some cases, suicidal tendencies.


How can you tell if someone is emotionally unstable?

Signs and symptoms of EUPD
  1. Impulsivity.
  2. Mood swings.
  3. An overwhelming fear of abandonment.
  4. Extreme anxiety and irritability.
  5. Anger.
  6. Paranoia and being suspicious of other people.
  7. Feeling empty, hopeless and worthless.
  8. Suicidal thoughts.


Can your body shut down from stress?

"When the body cannot handle emotional overload, it simply begins to shut down. And that is often manifested by a sense of extreme tiredness and fatigue," says Kalayjian.

How do I fix myself after a mental breakdown?

Meditation can be really useful when coming back from a nervous breakdown. Just five minutes of tuning into your breath can ground you in the moment, in your body, and help to bring you back from your mind and into your next physical steps. Get care. Friends and family are super important.


How do you calm yourself after a breakdown?

But here are 9 calming techniques that do work – and they work quickly at that.
  1. Just breathe. ...
  2. Close your eyes and count to 10 slowly. ...
  3. Chew a piece of gum. ...
  4. Phone a friend – preferably a funny one. ...
  5. Smell lavender. ...
  6. Curl up with your cat or dog. ...
  7. Listen to calming music. ...
  8. Exercise your body.


Where do you take someone who is having a mental breakdown?

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org . Text MHA to 741741 to connect with a trained Crisis Counselor from Crisis Text Line. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

What mental illness causes mental breakdowns?

Depression/Anxiety: Major depression or anxiety that isn't treated may eventually result in a mental breakdown. Stress at work or home: Also known as “burnout”, a person may get overwhelmed by the circumstances of their home or professional life.


Is a mental breakdown a mental illness?

Nervous breakdown isn't a medical term, nor does it indicate a specific mental illness. But that doesn't mean it's a normal or a healthy response to stress. What some people call a nervous breakdown may indicate an underlying mental health problem that needs attention, such as depression or anxiety.

What are 3 signs of a mental disorder?

Significant tiredness, low energy or problems sleeping. Detachment from reality (delusions), paranoia or hallucinations. Inability to cope with daily problems or stress. Trouble understanding and relating to situations and to people.