In our fast-paced and relentlessly demanding modern world, it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance, keep up with personal and professional commitments, and find time for self-care. The growing pressure to succeed—as well as the lack of proper coping mechanisms to deal with stress—may lead to an emotional breakdown.
An emotional breakdown is an incredibly unpleasant experience that can affect both your mental and physical well-being. Our comprehensive guide will help you understand the causes and symptoms of an emotional breakdown, offer you actionable tips to manage this condition, and explain when it is necessary to reach out to a mental health professional for additional support.
Table of Contents
- What is an Emotional Breakdown?
- Common Causes of Emotional Breakdown
- Symptoms of Emotional Breakdown
- Effective Strategies to Manage an Emotional Breakdown
- When to Seek Help for an Emotional Breakdown?
What is an Emotional Breakdown?
An emotional breakdown (sometimes referred to as a nervous breakdown) is a period of intense mental distress. This condition is typically characterized by overwhelming emotions and an inability to continue normal daily activities—a person who suffers from an emotional breakdown feels like they have lost control over their life.
It should be noted that an emotional breakdown is not considered to be a mental illness—rather, it is a symptom or a consequence of poor mental health. Nonetheless, if you or someone you know is struggling with this issue, it is important to analyze the reasons behind the breakdown and take steps to manage and prevent it.
Common Causes of Emotional Breakdown
There are many different reasons why a person may have an emotional breakdown—below you can see the most common triggers associated with this condition:
Chronic Workplace Stress
If your job is very demanding, you do not get along with your boss and coworkers, and you feel like your work is not being properly appreciated and compensated, you may be heading toward an emotional breakdown.
Poor Work-Life Balance
Are you bringing work home, constantly checking your e-mail, and refusing to take days off? Lack of time for hobbies, socialization, and rest may lead to a breakdown.
Major Life Changes
Significant events such as the loss of a loved one, divorce, moving to another location, or switching jobs may have a negative impact on your mental state.
Trauma and Abuse
Past and present physical and emotional abuse, as well as traumatic events a person may be a witness or a victim of, will adversely affect their mental health and cause a breakdown.
Symptoms of Emotional Breakdown
Before you figure out how to treat an emotional breakdown, you need to know how to recognize this condition. Pay attention to the following signs and symptoms:
● Anxiety and Depression. A nervous breakdown is often preceded and accompanied by these two conditions—if you feel constantly agitated, lose interest in activities that used to bring you joy, and have trouble sleeping, you may be suffering from anxiety and depression.
● Physical Symptoms. It is not unusual for an emotional breakdown to manifest physically—people who struggle with this issue may have headaches, struggle to breathe properly, and feel nauseous.
● Changes in Behavior. Are you withdrawing from your family and friends? Have you raised your voice at your colleagues? When a breakdown is imminent, you may decide to skip social events and lash out at people around you.
Effective Strategies to Manage an Emotional Breakdown
Here is what you can do to deal with an emotional breakdown and return to your normal life:
Remove the Stressor
While in many cases, it is impossible to eliminate the main trigger of the breakdown, do your best to reduce your exposure to the stressful environment. For instance, if work stress is the main culprit, take a few days off to compose yourself.
Practice Self-Care
There are many relaxation techniques you can try to calm your mind—meditation, aromatherapy, breathing exercises, yoga, art therapy, etc. Make time for your hobbies and interests, eat healthy food, and get at least eight hours of sleep every night.
Reach Out to Your Support Network
You do not have to go through this challenge on your own—talk to your friends and relatives, let them know what you are struggling with, and ask for help. Sometimes, a listening ear and a word of encouragement are enough to start the recovery.
When to Seek Help for an Emotional Breakdown
Connect with a therapist to get professional support and prevent emotional breakdowns in the future. A certified specialist will be able to diagnose underlying mental health disorders, give you valuable advice tailored to your unique circumstances, and prescribe therapy or medication that will assist your recovery.
If you are looking for a therapist to help either yourself or a person you care about, book an appointment with the Mental Health Center of San Diego. Our team of mental health professionals is qualified to guide you in this challenging situation and offer their knowledge and empathy to help you cope with the emotional breakdown.
FAQs
What does it mean to have an emotional breakdown?
An emotional breakdown is a temporary state of mental health that disrupts a person’s life—it is typically caused by excessive stress and manifests with symptoms of anxiety and depression.
What are the symptoms of an emotional breakdown?
The main symptoms of an emotional breakdown are the feeling of unease and worry, constant fatigue, headaches, changes in appetite and behavior, and withdrawal from normal daily activities.
What causes an emotional breakdown?
People have emotional breakdowns for different reasons—chronic work-related stress, major personal events such as a breakup or the death of a family member, and a lack of balance in life may lead to this condition.
How do you fix an emotional breakdown?
To manage an emotional breakdown, remove stress from your life as much as possible, take care of your physical and mental well-being, and rely on your support network—friends, family, and mental health professionals.
Do I need a therapist to deal with an emotional breakdown?
It is recommended to seek the assistance of a mental health provider when you have an emotional breakdown—a therapist will be able to diagnose the issue you are struggling with and give you personalized advice to address it.
Prioritize Your Mental Health
Whether you have personally experienced an emotional breakdown or noticed someone you care about is showing signs of this condition, it is crucial to address this issue as soon as possible. Resolve the agitation and restore peace in your life by talking to a mental health professional from the Mental Health Center of San Diego. Our therapists will be able to diagnose the causes of the breakdown and give you and
Your therapist will be able to diagnose the causes of the breakdown and give you actionable advice tailored to your unique circumstances. Do not hesitate to get in touch with the Mental Health Center of San Diego to
Look after your mental health!
