Everyone goes through periods of feeling stressed or even a little overwhelmed at times. An emotional breakdown is another matter entirely and it’s not something you should be expected to just snap out of.
The best way to deal with an emotional breakdown is to know the signs and develop techniques to help you get through them.
The term ‘emotional breakdown’ can actually be used to refer to two different things. In the first instance, it can mean that someone is having an adverse reaction to an immediate situation. That can lead to feelings of being overwhelmed as well as other common signs of emotional distress.
In the second instance, an emotional breakdown may be the first symptom of a mental health disorder. For example, persons who experience a breakdown may have a panic disorder, schizophrenia, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
When someone experiences a breakdown, doctors recommend consulting with a mental health professional. Even if it’s a one-off situation, it can’t hurt to be sure.
Typical Signs of an Emotional Breakdown
An emotional breakdown can be accompanied by panic attacks, emotional outbursts, or periods of anxiety. Most times, however, the signs are persistent as opposed to a single event. Persons who are having a breakdown may:
The symptoms may look slightly different in children as they may start to have conflicts with others.
Causes of an Emotional Breakdown
While numerous situations can cause an emotional breakdown, the most likely trigger is a traumatic event or significant change in the personal environment. Persons who have already been through trauma such as an assault, horrific accident, or combat can be prone to a breakdown. This is especially true if they are exposed to a trigger or a situation that mimics their trauma.
Those who have a history of mental illness or have had mental health issues in the past may also experience an emotional breakdown. According to recent studies, persons who have emotionally stressful jobs are at risk for a breakdown. Those with stressful jobs include first responders like firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and members of the military.
Strategies For Coping With a Breakdown
The first step to coping with an emotional breakdown is identifying what caused emotional distress. Then you’ll need to figure out why you’re having such an overwhelming reaction to it. It might help to consult a therapist or even a trusted friend.
That activity will help with identifying the first emotional shift that could lead to a breakdown. With that done, it often helps to remove yourself from the situation.
If that’s not possible, you need to develop a coping strategy that ensures you won’t have another breakdown in the future. Experts recommend incorporating exercise and meditative practices into your daily routine. Getting a good night’s sleep has also been proven to help persons cope well with stressful events.
For those who have stressful jobs, it’s helpful to schedule breaks where you can to reduce the exposure to traumatic events. When you sense an emotional shift that could lead to a breakdown, it can help to write down how you’re feeling and what you can do to fix the issues.
Breathing exercises can also be useful for maintaining emotional balance.
An emotional breakdown can completely disrupt your life. It can also be an indication of an underlying mental health disorder that needs to be addressed. To make sure your mental health is at its best, you should never ignore the signs that something is wrong.
It also helps to remember that you don’t have to deal with it on your own. Mental health professionals can make a great difference in giving you the tools you need to cope.
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