A nervous breakdown is used to refer to the symptoms of strong emotional and mental distress. This makes it challenging, and sometimes even impossible, for someone to carry out their daily activities and maintain relationships. There are many misconceptions when it comes to this topic, so it’s important to know the symptoms of a nervous breakdown. It’s even more important to seek out mental health depression treatment when you’re experiencing a nervous breakdown.
Symptoms of a Nervous Breakdown
With or without substance abuse, a nervous breakdown can begin to build up. Here are the most common symptoms of a nervous breakdown.
Mood changes
Many people, especially teens and women, experience mood swings caused by hormones or hormonal changes. It is advised to always look out for changes in your mood that is out of the ordinary. Symptoms that look like depression and anxiety can be caused by a chemical imbalance, but it can also occur as a coping mechanism for stress that is brought about by an incoming nervous breakdown.
Guilt
Most of the time, guilt becomes a marker of what is right and wrong. However, not everyone learns their lesson from guilt. In some cases, it just becomes a chronic self-punishment that is never internally grasped. Bearing a heavy weight like guilt can hinder them from living their lives and can cause nerves to break due to the pressure.
Appetite changes
When a person is on the verge of having an emotional breakdown or they are in the middle of one, appetite changes are something that they may experience. These people may become less driven to eat or feel the need to eat more.
Intense tiredness
One of the most common symptoms of a nervous breakdown is tiredness. Activities that you used to love doing without effort may become more challenging. Not only that, the things that used to bring you joy may also lose their appeal due to an incoming or current nervous breakdown.
Uncontrollable emotions
Feeling negative emotions is normal. However, when you can’t make yourself feel better, and you feel like you’re stuck in a rut, this may be due to an incoming nervous breakdown. Someone who is experiencing a nervous breakdown may feel intense feelings that include:
- Stress
- Fear
- Sadness
- Hopelessness
The Relationship of Nervous Breakdown and Addiction
Alcohol and drugs can cause feelings such as euphoria or relaxation to those dealing with anxiety and nervous breakdowns. However, a nervous breakdown can be chronic if it is always treated with alcohol or drugs instead of holistic methods.
The impact of substances is only temporary, and the intense feelings of anxiety or helplessness will come back time and time again. If a person develops a habit to drink alcohol to suppress their feelings or cope with their negative emotions, this can easily get out of control. Similarly, when a person is taking prescription drugs or stimulants like cocaine, this can cause an overdose.
Someone who has already experienced a nervous breakdown and is becoming addicted to alcohol or drugs not only need help from supportive friends and family but also dedicated health specialists. Dual diagnosis programs for nervous breakdown and addiction are also vital to let a person finally overcome behavioral, emotional, and psychological problems.
When you suffer the symptoms of a nervous breakdown, you need to get to a mental health treatment center as soon as you can. This will increase the chances of things turning around before alcohol or drugs wreak havoc on your body and personal life.
Do Not Be Afraid to Seek Help
When you are dedicated to recovery, achieving long-term wellness is possible. Experiencing the symptoms of a nervous breakdown can be tough, but if you use alcohol or drugs to temporarily relieve your feelings, it will only serve to negatively impact your future. Remember that when you become dedicated to recovery, you can regain control over your life. Begin searching for anxiety treatment center programs today.