Anyone ever have a nervous breakdown?

[shadowknows69]

and how do you know you're in the middle of one? To be honest I believe I've possibly had a couple small ones in the past but I might be on the edge of a doozy. Any help would be cool.

[Lindacooks]

1. Well, kind of, and I've seen it happen.

It's very painful emotionally. You can't stop thinking about certain events, and you can't do anything else. Just getting out of bed is painful; going to the store, impossible.

Nothing makes sense, nothing will help, and you really think it will never, ever, get any better. You feel like everybody around you is betraying you, and all the horrible things you fear most are going to happen any second now.

You may be able to control things out in public, or in front of people you want to hide this from, but it is waiting, and it will get you when you're alone.

The emotional pain and anguish is worse than any physical pain.

If you feel you're in this situation, please GET HELP NOW. Call a crisis line, go to the emergency room, get medical help ASAP. Please.

You can and will get over it, and life will be better. I promise.

[whistle]

2. Take deep breaths, lie down, close your eyes and repeat

...."there is no place like home, there is no place like home, there is no place like home" Remember, your symptoms are distressing, but they are not dangerous.

Post again in the morning and let us know how you feel.

[seabeyond]

3. hey ,.... pm me if you like.

are you talking about panic attack?

what are you feeling

share

[gully]

4. What are your symptoms?

I'm not sure there is really such a thing as a "nervous breakdown" perse? At least not as far as the medical community is concerned, but there are mental health issues that need attention in a hurry.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nervous_breakdown

[rubberducky]

5. Serious???

I have dealt with this with my mom. There is help. My mom has had several Minor, but 2 really bad ones. I`m a good listener!

[shadowknows69]

7. thanks all

I think its just cumulative depression. The world in general capped off by my dog dying this weekend. Its starting to become a problem as I'm not finding the motivation to get out and work, socialize etc.

[Lindacooks]

12. Oh, I'm sorry about your dog.

I know what that feels like - it's horrible.

It will eventually get better - you just have to get through a couple of days or a week. If it doesn't get better, please seek medical help. Depression is the second most debilitating disease; right after end-stage heart disease.

http://mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?id=704&type=book&cn=5

"The reality is that depression is an illness, not a choice, and is just as socially debilitating as coronary heart disease and more debilitating than diabetes mellitus and arthritis."

[never_get_over_it]

18. In post 10 I said I have had many bad things happen in

the past year and a half - all of them have to do with loss - one of those losses was a dog. I am very sorry about losing your dog and I know EXACTLY how you feel. If it just happened this weekend you're probably not having a nervous breakdown - perfectly normal to be VERY VERY VERY sad. I lost my dog in January - I saw this dog being born and can't even begin to tell you how special he was to me - my first dog and the sweetest freaking dog ever - I still have "meltdowns" over him - and miss him everyday. However the ungodly sadness will get better - but unfortunately it is way too soon for that right now. Hang in there - I don't really pray exactly but I'll be thinking good thoughts for you....

[yorkiemommie1]

28. i am so sorry about your dog

that is a pain that all pet lovers can understand.

I'm very sorry, shadow...i've been through it several times and it's always awful.


:hug:

[GreenPartyVoter]

6. Yes, and as it turns out I am bipolar so will likely have more. :^( Hope

you are ok! :hug:

[Tace]

8. I've Had A Tough Time Of Things A Few Times

The term "nervous breakdown" is not a medical term. For me, I pushed myself so hard, for so long, that I became depressed and exhausted. I've done it to myself more than once.

Be nice to yourself. Try to eat right, sleep right, lay off the alcohol and/or whatever.

And, from my experience and understanding, there's usually at least one other person involved -- a spouse, child, parent, significant other, and it is the disfunction of this relationship that is a big cause of the stress causing you to feel the way you do now. I'd look at these things and see a good shrink, if necessary, for pharmaceutical help.

I'm no expert. That's for sure.

[Bluebear]

9. Panic attack, not nervous breakdown.

* Intense fear
* Chest pain
* Heart palpitations
* Shortness of breath
* Dizziness
* Abdominal distress
* Feelings of unreality, and fear of dying

You can go to an emergency room, anxiety is a medical condition. You are in no danger from the panic although it seems like it. An anti-anxiety drug will right things for you tonight.

[never_get_over_it]

10. Interesting that you should ask this

I have had a bunch of really bad things happen in the last year and a half - and at previous times in my life - and I once actually told my doctor that I would just have a freaking nervous break down if I knew how to - she actually wasn't very helpful with the definition think she just kind of said that pretty much if you have a nervous breakdown you really can't function.

A few months ago I had some days that I COULD NOT DO ANYTHING - couldn't go out - didn't care about anything all I really could do was sleep....and for the first time I think I had an inkling of what a nervous breakdown might be. Some how I snapped out of it.

I would join the author of the first response and try to get some help - although I haven't taken that advise myself I would if I ever go back to or get close to those few episodes I had because it is very scary and I think getting help is what anyone should do.....

[kerry-is-my-prez]

11. I've had "close" episodes- then found out I was bi-polar & started on meds

Been ok ever since. You probably just need some sort of medication or something. You need to see a professional.

[shadowknows69]

13. Been down the prozac road

Can't do the pharmo route again, shoot we can't afford health care of any kind.

[patrice]

14. Welcome to Amerika.

Drink more kool-aid. Go to church. Stop asking why.

[shadowknows69]

15. No thanks, no thanks and no thanks

n/t

[lala_rawraw]

17. wait... do you mean a panic attack?

are your thoughts racing, pressure in chest, numb, tingling arms?

do you feel a disconnect of sorts from things around you, like they somehow look different?

are you sweating, heart racing, obsessive thoughts?


that is a panic attack and there are any number of ways to handle it and it is very common:D

[shadowknows69]

20. Those are the same symptoms of an acid flashback

not quite there yet.

[lala_rawraw]

31. okay, then far less serious than nervous breakdown...

if this is common, then you need to see someone - even if just to get you on a mild sedative as needed... if just this once or a few times, but not often, then you need to figure out what set you off.

i have lupus and during chemo i had a panic attack... hormonal changes can do that also.

a nervous breakdown is a whole other story.... it has psychotic features to it and is far more serious

[lala_rawraw]

16. my understanding is that it is a general/generic term

for many types of mentall disorders/events...


are you feeling depressed or what?

but i think the term is also used very specifically for a psychotic break... the best advice is to see someone who can provide a better analysis of the situation... hope that helps:(

[AZBlue]

19. I'm so sorry.

Talk to someone, a friend, a priest, a rabbi, a hotline...anyone. It really well be ok. And you will get through it. That seems like empty words right now to you, but it's actually the truth. I know - I'm not sure if I've had a nervous breakdown or not (I'm not sure of the symptoms), but I've been really low - and I had to deal with my pet of 11 years dying last year (right after Katrina, so I was already in chipper mood!). The fact that tomorrow is 9/11 isn't helping you any.

Hang in there. And please let us know how you are doing.

[shadowknows69]

Hate to say it but 9/11 is probably a lot of it

mostly the fact of the catastrophe our country has become since 5 years ago.

[bliss_eternal]

21. Just wanted to offer you this--

:hug: I'm so sorry. Please take it easy, and be gentle with yourself. :hi:

[Just-plain-Kathy]

22. There's hope...

Please, go to the doctor's and get a prescription for Zoloft. Only take it for a week or two, otherwise it will make things worst. It helped me years ago when I suffered from post-pardon depression. Back then I never thought I would feel normal again.

...See what you did, now you have us all worrying about you! Check in tomorrow under this post and let us know how you're feeling. Things always look better in the morning.

[shadowknows69]

24. no offense but

screw zoloft. A friend of mine's 17 yr old son just died and it may have been because of zoloft. I thank you for trying to help though. I don't trust anti-depressants.

[Catherine Vincent]

23. Like everyone says, it may be panic (or anxiety) attacks.

My mom had them when she was going thru menopause. She didn't know it though. She had them bad, she always thought she was having heart attacks. She would go to the doctor but everything would check out okay. I think they finally diagnosed the menopause symptoms. I don't think she ever took anything for it. It eventually went away. But she had it so bad that it came to a point she didn't want to leave the house. I hope I don't go thru that.

[Proud_Lefty]

25. Many years ago, I had a major breakdown

Spent time in ICU. Everything was stuck in high gear. Couldn't sleep, couldn't eat, couldn't sit still. Never want to go through that again. Hope you can focus on the positives in your life. I know it's hard when everything seems to crumbling down around you. Take my word for it; fighting the negative is a thousand times better than giving in and going on a ride you'd never wish on your worst enemy.

[graywarrior]

26. I think I'm in the midst of one right now.

[renate]

27. your library or bookstore probably has a copy of a very good book called

"Feeling Good" by David D. Burns

Despite the somewhat frivolous-sounding title, it's an extremely good book, about cognitive therapy. And, amazingly for a life-changing book, it's not expensive: $8.

I'm sorry you're having a hard time right now. You have lots of friends here. :hug:

[The Straight Story]

29. When mom died

and shortly thereafter, I was a mess. A lot of breakdowns.

Best help I can think of is to talk to someone about it, even here to get things out as to what and why. It's like a pressure building up bit by bit, and you just want to explode.

Some have people they can talk to, if not, they can explode through writing it out (even if not here, fire up notepad and just write out all you feel, then read over it later).

[Cheney Killed Bambi]

30. "Nervous Breakdown"

Is not a term recognized by psychiatrists. However, severe attacks of depression or anxiety can be completely disabling and lead to the kind symptoms associated in popular culture with a "nervous breakdown," i.e., inability to work , constant crying, destructive behavior, etc. If you're feeling a serious onset of depression or anxiety or related problems, you should definitely schedule an appointment with your doctor and have him recommend a psychiatrist or a psychologist to see.

GOod luck -- I hope you are OK.

[Sparkly]

32. That's what I was going to say....

"Nervous Breakdown" is a term that can encompass a lot of things.

I suspect that in the past, it was used as a euphemism for drug or alcohol addiction and severe mental illnesses.

[shadowknows69]

33. Thank you all once again

as I can't afford any professional help just knowing I have some free therapy here at DU does help some. I've been a depressive for a good chunk of my life so I know the game, and I know what I should be doing about it. As I said though I'm in that big ass percentile of Americans that don't have health coverage and don't see any in sight if I can't get my ass up to find a good job. Vicious circle. .Luckily I'm blessed with an amazing wife who suffers my madness with love but this latest little tragedy has hit her even harder than me and I'm worried about her. Thanks again DU for just listening (reading).

[Moderator]

34. Locking. Please see this:

Sorry to hear about your concern.

Please contact a local medical professional. Their advice and any local referrals will be more effective, and pertinent to your situation, than Democratic Underground is capable of offering.

Take care.