Signs of an Emotional Breakdown

Many people use or hear the term "emotional breakdown" and may be confused by its meaning.

According to Sabrina Romanoff, PsyD, a clinical psychologist and professor at Yeshiva University, an emotional breakdown is a period of severe emotional distress, during which a person may feel paralyzed and entirely incapable of coping with life's challenges.

According to the Huntsman Mental Health Institute at the University of Utah, a breakdown in emotional stability is analogous to a complete tire blowout that leaves a car stuck on the side of the road.1

Dr. Romanoff emphasizes that having an emotional breakdown is not a clinical diagnosis of mental illness. She clarifies that the term is more commonly used informally to refer to a wide range of mental health issues.

Dr. Romanoff explains that what sets an emotional breakdown apart is the presence of extreme tension and paralysis, to the point where the individual finds themselves unable to function.

Symptoms of an Emotional Breakdown

If you're having an emotional breakdown, these are some of the things you might be thinking.

• I feel like I'm going crazy.
• "I'm at a loss for what to do because everything keeps going wrong."
• I am very drained on many levels right now.
• I've hit a wall and am completely helpless.
• "Everything is not going to work out fine."
• I'm unable to proceed. I've had it.
• I simply want this to be over with.

When you're feeling low or on the verge of an emotional breakdown, you could also suffer some physical symptoms.

Emotional Symptoms

Dr. Romanoff says the following emotional indicators may precede a breakdown:

• A state of heightened tension
• Fear of imminent disaster
• low vitality and exhaustion
• Profound emotions of melancholy, concern, fear, or apprehension
• Guilt, helplessness, and shameful thoughts or feelings
• Experiencing episodes of anger, irritation, or other negative emotions
• Disinterest in previously enjoyed pursuits
• Having a reluctance to engage in job or social activities
• Perspective shifts on one's surroundings, oneself, and others
• Suicidal or self-injurious ideas

Physical Symptoms

Dr. Romanoff says the following physical symptoms may accompany an emotional breakdown:

• Dizziness
• Sweating
• Nightmares
• Tense muscles
• Shortness of breath
• Abnormal cardiac rhythm
• Adverse dietary practices
• Vibrations and quakes
• sleeplessness or oversleeping
• Abdominal pain and discomfort, nausea, and vomiting

Diagnosing an Emotional Breakdown

You should schedule an appointment with your primary care physician, a psychiatrist, or a psychologist if you suspect you're having an emotional breakdown.

Your doctor can assess your condition thoroughly, make recommendations for care, and help you create a strategy to alleviate your symptoms.

Coping With an Emotional Breakdown

Dr. Romanoff offers advice that can help you get through a mental breakdown.

Get Some Perspective

Get some distance from the source of your tension and try to gain some perspective on the situation. You may benefit from sharing your feelings with someone who is not emotionally invested in the outcome of the event. 

Focus on Self-Care

Instead of attempting to tough it out, prioritize self-care so that you can come back to the situation with fresh eyes.

The most significant changes can result from taking seemingly insignificant actions. This entails doing things like exercising, eating nutritious foods, and sleeping for a minimum of seven hours every night. These are essential components that any successful operation need.

Neglecting some of these areas when facing stressors only undermines our ability to manage and leads people to overestimate the severity of the stressor they're facing.

Seek Treatment and Support

Seeing a mental health professional can be beneficial if you are having an emotional breakdown or are having difficulty coping. They will be able to diagnose your mental health condition and provide you with the appropriate care. Even if they don't, they can still teach you how to deal with adversity by helping you gain perspective.