nervous/mental break down

[AO111]

Has anyone experienced one? Or even an emotional break down

[whitecat78]

hi,
i have experienced breakdowns, panic attacks are usually a sign for me when its going to happen.  i am now on a lexapro and i am practicing cognitive therapy on myself, changing my behavior, reading lots of self help and my mood has changed drastically.  i use to be against anti-depressants but i am glad i tried them.

[Julie359]

Yes i had a severe breakdown when i was 19, admitted myself to a mental hospital twice in the space of a year am now 36.  Have never been the same since i was 19, have always suffered greatly from panic disorder, GAD, agoraphobia and social anxiety, was on Paxil for 14years which controlled most of it to a great degree, until last year March when i came off of them and suffered another breakdown in June and have been struggling since.  Have got alot better due to going on Propranalol 80mg a day, my GAD is minimal but my phobic anxiety is still bad, which means my social and agraophobia is bad.  Am currently having CBT to overcome the phobias, which is helping somewhat.  Although my deep fear is that i'm going to have this illness for the rest of my life, i'm not sure i can live like this for another possible 35/40 years.

[alipeno]

I experienced an emotional breakdown a few months ago. It was a humiliating experience i hope doesnt happen again. I think it occured because of lack of sleep, lack of energy and fuel and general exhaustion. I was running with my mum and suddenly collapsed on the ground crying. Then a went so hysterical i started laughing then i started glibbering nonsense and had to be carried home. I hope this doesnt sound as if emotionalk breakdowns hit people randomly- ive been experiencing some... mental problems over the past few years.

From my knowledge of nervous breakdowns, they also often occur because of a number of different things like exhaustion, dehydration, stress, anxiety etc etc. It can lead to a person completely shutting down within themselves, however this would be quite a severe case. If you kno someone who has experienced one, I would recommend being there to support them with whatever they need, and encourage them to see somebody about it. You could even suggest going with them, but sometimes all a person needs 2 be able to combat emtotional issues is to have somebody they can rely upon.

[AO111]

oh i was just wondering with this severe anxiety, panic attacks and crying spells if i'm headed for or having a break down. i've had similar things happen in the past that i have bounced back from on my own.

[29sillygirl]

Hi, those terms haven't been used for eons. Having said that, I can assure you that I and many others here have been so overwhelmed by depression/anxiety/life's events that we checked into a psychiatric ward for help. These places offer a safe environment.

It is generally not necessary now, with medications and early diagnosis by a psychiatrist, you can carry on without taking a time out.  Not saying a short stay isn't still an option for anyone who can't cope, or is in danger of hurting themselves or others.

Why are you asking about nervous breakdowns?  It might help us to know what you are experiencing, before we give you a short answer to your question.