A mental or nervous breakdown is a frightening thing because it often appears without much warning. But before it hits, there is usually a build up of stressful or anxiety-provoking events, or thoughts and feelings kept in check, that then suddenly burst out in various ways.
There is no formal diagnosis for something called a “mental breakdown”. Instead, it is now usually called a “mental health crisis’, a more accurate word, as there may be one or more mental health issues behind the scenes. Read on to learn more about what is involved and common stages of a breakdown.
What Is a “Mental Breakdown”?
A mental breakdown is an event or series of events of great mental and emotional distress that evolves to a sudden point of crisis. The demands of life become physically and emotionally overwhelming.
This can take many forms and may have many causes. Some ask if it is the same as a psychotic break. The answer is it may be. While it may appear to be caused by only one thing, unmanaged mental health conditions and a dysregulated nervous system usually play a key role.
Risk Factors of a Mental Breakdown
For some people, a mental breakdown may be caused by a single precipitating event involving extreme stress, such as a tragedy or death of a loved one. Others with a history of unmanaged mental illness are at a higher risk of mental breakdown as there may be unresolved issues that re-emerge. Some of the main factors include [1] [2] [3]:
| Depression | Anxiety | Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) |
| Divorce | Slow build up of stress | Adjustment Disorder |
| Lack of social support | Work burnout | Relationship issues |
| Unemployment | Homelessness | Financial problems |
| Lack of sleep | Sudden tragedy | Lack of coping skills and resilience |
The Stages of a Mental Breakdown Explained
There is no fixed set of stages of a metal breakdown, but it often includes the following:
- Provoking Event: A single or accumulated stressors creates overwhelming emotional and psychological strain.
- Escalation: Emotional intensity accelerates, bringing increased anxiety, depression, and a struggle to cope with life.
- Crisis Point: A breaking point is reached. The individual feels overwhelmed, unable to function. Sometimes they may think of harming themselves.
- Physical Symptoms: Headaches, fatigue, sleep disturbances, appetite changes, and muscle tension may be experienced, intensifying emotional pain.
- Loss of Functioning: Daily tasks and work responsibilities become overwhelming.
- Isolation: The individual withdraws socially, avoiding family, friends, and colleagues.
- Seeking Help: Finally they realize they need help from mental health professionals, friends, or family.
- Recovery: With the guidance and support of loved ones and professionals, they gradually restore their well-being and daily functioning.
How Long Does a Mental Breakdown Typically Last?
A mental breakdown can last from a few hours to several weeks, typically. Acute incidents often stabilize within days to weeks. Full recovery may be weeks to months, with some lasting even longer in complex cases. Prompt intervention from family friends and professional intervention with appropriate treatment is key to reducing recovery times.
A combination of factors impact the duration, of a mental breakdown including:
- Severity of Symptoms
- Underlying Conditions
- Treatment Access
- Support Systems
- Contributing Stressors
The following outlines the approximate duration of stages:
- Early Warning/Prodromal Stage: Can develop over weeks to months
- Acute Crisis Stage: From a few days to 1-2 weeks
- Chronic/Response Stage: Several days to weeks, depending on the type and severity of the crisis
- Recovery/Resolution Stage: Weeks to several months or longer
Treatment Options to Regulate the Nervous System
Since a mental breakdown can be caused by a wide variety of factors, many different treatment options may be used. Treatment can be personal self-care or professional help.
10 Self-Care Tips
Some of these self-care practices may help you ground, manage anxiety, and take perspective [4]:
- Practice Meditation
- Practice yoga
- Take nature walks
- Ask friends for Help
- Practice self-compassion
- Common humanity
- Listen to your body
- Reduce technology
- Communicate your needs
- Dropping into the present moment
- Seek medical help
Professional Help
Seeing a counselor, therapist, or psychiatrist is an important step to help you take perspective and engage in therapy to process emotions and thoughts. Therapy approaches include, but are not limited to:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Identifies and changes negative thought patterns and behaviors.
- Psychodynamic Therapy: Explores unconscious processes and past experiences.
- Humanistic Therapy: Emphasizes your innate capacity for self-actualization and growth.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Teaches skills for mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Encourages accepting difficult thoughts and feelings while committing to actions aligned with values.
- Somatic Experiencing: Body-centered approach releases trapped trauma.
- Interpersonal Therapy (IPT): Focuses on improving interpersonal relationships and social functioning.
- Family Systems Therapy: Works to change dysfunctional interactions among family members.
- Existential Therapy: Focuses on confronting fundamental human concerns.
- Narrative Therapy: Helps externalize and re-author the stories we tell about our lives.
- Gestalt Therapy: Emphasizes present-moment awareness and personal responsibility.
Healing Your Nervous System at Corner Canyon Health Centers
Treatment for mental health conditions and trauma is available in Utah. Are you or a loved one looking for a compassionate space to heal from anxiety, trauma, PTSD, CPTSD, other mental health conditions, or addictions? Our licensed trauma-informed professional therapists and counselors at Corner Canyon Health Centers can provide compassionate help using a range of therapeutic and holistic techniques.
Reach out to our Admissions team now at Corner Canyon. We’re in a peaceful setting bordered by the beautiful Wasatch Mountains.
Sources
[1] Sciacca A. 2024. How to Recognize and Treat the Symptoms of a Nervous Breakdown. Healthline.com
[2] Health Direct. nd. Nervous breakdown.
[3] Cleveland Clinic. 2022. Nervous Breakdown.
[4] Gupta S. 2024. Signs of an Emotional Breakdown. Verywellmind.com
