Breakdowns?

Question

How can you tell when someone is on the verge of a nervous or emotional breakdown?

Answer 1

This varies for each person. some people become introverted, and stop all social interactions. other people will have a short fuse, and blow up at even the smallest thing wrong. You should always bring it up to this person and ask them if they need to talk, or need some help. Sometimes the person doesn't even know they are headed that way, so by asking if they are ok, you may be helping them to realize they need some help.

Answer 2

Hi

I had a breakdown in 2002 and although very much better now i am still struggling some days.

I didn't ever think 'i am having a breakdown'- but i knew i was physically and mentally exhausted. Not ony could i not face going out, opening the front door, speaking on the phone- i just felt to exhausted to cope with having to have a conversation. The slightest thing would upset me and i would spend hours lying crying, kicking and screaming because i felt i no longer had the ability to control and cope with my life. My husband just told everyone that i had gone mad because he no longer knew what was happening to me and he didn't know how to cope. I so badly wanted my world to end because i couldn't cope. I didn't drink, i didn't do drugs or smoke! (in answer to some of those idiotic comments on here). Below is a list, a definition from a website that might help- there are tons of websites. The most important thing is to recognise that the person is not behaving as they usually would and is not just a the odd week or two- everyone has weeks where life gets them down. It is becoming a prolonged and worsening situation.
For more information you an always email me confidentially.

The term "nervous breakdown" is used by the public to characterize a wide range of mental illnesses. Nervous breakdown is not a medical term and doesn't indicate a specific mental illness. Generally, the term describes a person who is severely and persistently emotionally distraught and unable to function at his or her normal level.

Often, when people refer to having a nervous breakdown, they're describing severe depression. Signs and symptoms of severe depression include:

Agitation or restlessness
Difficulty or inability to stop crying
Sleeping difficulties
Dramatic appetite changes
Indecision
The causes of mental illness usually aren't clear. But these factors may play a role:

Stress
Drug and alcohol use
Coexisting medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders and certain vitamin deficiencies
Genetics

Hope this helps you a bit
Libs

Answer 3

The psyche nurse responds.

Hi. There is no such thing as a nervous breakdown. It was just a hip phrase made up in the last century to describe a host of conditions in a person.

Stress,anxiety,sleeplessness, paranoia,neurosis .....the list goes on and on.

It doesn't happen overnight and is a build up of things over a long term. There is no breaking point, snapping point if thats what you mean. Just a steady disintegration into a total feeling of helplessness. When it happens you won't even be aware of it. If you are asking the question about yourself then you are already on the road to recovery as you have insight into the condition. If it is someone else then don't look at them watching them fall apart. Do something, anything because it just might make the difference.

Good luck and good mental health

Sab

Answer 4

Use your common sense. After all, you are talking about a term that has little or no meaning in any technical sense, so your guess is as good as mine.

If, on the other hand, you are specifically talking about someone having:

- a panic attack
- a manic episode
- a major depressive episode
- a brief psychotic episode
- acute delirium

or even just extreme regression, there are specific things to keep an eye on that are different for each one. Unfortunately, different people mean different things when they say "nervous breakdown," so it is one of the more useless terms to discuss in this day and age.

Answer 5

erratic, unable 2 concentrate & tearful.
if it's u, let it go, let it take u & the climb back up means u can't fall any lower.
some1 else?
protect & try 2 think 4 them 4 a while & tell them
have the breakdown, as the harder u fight it the harder the fall.

a good GP told me this, fighting a breakdown is like swimming against the tide & not worth the wasted energy.
better 2 let it embrace u, then one day u/they will wake up feeling the only way is UP.
breakdowns can't kill u, but will make u stronger, in the long run.

i'm on 2 my 4th.
the only way is up, remember that & u can't go wrong.

Answer 6

This is a hard question to answer as it can be differ from person to person,maybe for example they have been traumatised by something,had a bad experience,suffering from domestic abuse,losing your job,or your home,someone dying etc,there are lots of different reasons why people have break downs,most people do usually get over them as there is help out there but you cant allways tell when someone is on the verge of one as they can appear normal but at the sametime be bottling allot of things up inside themif you are worried about yourself or someone else please speak to a medical proffesional on this as soon as you can.


Good Luck

Greg.B

Answer 7

It is not easy to see it in another even with training. The final break requires a big stress situation and is usually given by friends and family so they are ready.

Answer 8

breakdown is a blanket word for all sorts of problems relate your concerns to a qualified professional

Answer 9

they will be easily upset, will start to avoid situations that most are OK with, start to withdraw form life in general, Slightest pressure will result in argumants or tears.

Action - get to GP, then counselling or hypnotherapy

Answer 10

When they become irrational in what they are saying and wanting to do.~~