How likely is a nervous breakdown from anxiety?

[Xiat]

Hey all, I hope you are doing well
I really really need some reassurance, as I am scared to death of a nervous breakdown. I have had severe anxiety for 2 months now, feelings of unreality, foggy head, weakness, fatigue etc I also get really depressed about it, feeling really hopeless and having crying spells.


My biggest fear is having a nervous breakdown.. I read a blog where people said that they could literally not move, speak or just exist and that they were psychotic and wanted to kill themselves. I am under severe stress daily because of anxiety and depression and I feel like it is bound to happen. I can't stop thinking about all the horrible things the people experienced, I have never been so scared in my life, I was less scared of having a stroke when I was in that phase haha.

I guess I need to know how common it is and if it possible to have it from experiencing anxiety. Please someone help :,((

[Paxiled]

You don't mention your history with this, but assuming this is new, you must get your doctor to first eliminate all the physiological things that can mimic anxiety attacks -- blood sugar imbalances, food intolerance, thyroid and other hormonal problems.  You should also focus on whether something happened near the time this started that might be unresolved and resulted in this reaction.  Know that there is no such thing as a nervous breakdown -- it's a Hollywood term, not a medical one.  And if it's new the most important thing is to get into therapy with a psychologist who specializes in anxiety treatment -- catching it early will prevent it from becoming chronic.  If it doesn't respond to that, you can consider medication, but remember, your doctor isn't an expert in mental illness -- he or she knows the basics, but it's not an area of expertise.  Good luck.

[specialmom]

Hi.  Sorry you are feeling this way.  Anxiety about your anxiety.  While this is hard when you feel overwhelmed, TREATING the anxiety is the answer to this.  Many people suffer anxiety and few become so debilitated that they completely shut down as you describe by your definition of a 'nervous break down'.  Try not to think worst case scenario and realize that one out of four adults suffer anxiety and/or depression.  Most live functional lives with the same ups and downs that everyone else has.  The key is, seeing your doctor and treating the anxiety.  Talk therapy with a psychologist or therapist is really helpful.  Often medication is helpful.  Exercise, sleep and eating right also contribute to positive mental health.  Doing nothing and ruminating over it just makes it worse.   So force yourself to take action and call your doctor as the first step. Get seen, diagnosed properly and then start treatment.  This is the path to recovery from what you are feeling.  good luck