What is mental breakdown or mental collapse and why does it happen?

He mental breakdownor “mental breakdown” in Spanishis not used in the clinical setting as a diagnosis.

“It is a terminology that defines when our mind is not calm and/or serene. Everybodyaccording to our way of managing the different situations and circumstances of life, emotions, acts and thoughts, we can collapse or explode mentally“, maintains Patricia Fernandezhealth psychologist.

What are your symptoms?

The symptoms of mental breakdown go hand in hand with anxiety and stress. “It is very difficult to reach a mental collapse if you have not lived for a long time with anxious symptoms or exposure to stressors. If this happens, it is necessary to put the brakes on since it can lead to emotional derailment or blockagesays Fernandez.

According to the expert in health psychology, The most recurrent symptoms of mental collapse are:

The fatigue and mental exhaustion.Apathy and reluctance in daily chores, Lack of hope and/or motivation.rumination of thoughts with a greater negative than positive charge and constant worry about something specific. Experience unpleasant emotions such as anger, sadness and frustration.Difficulty getting to sleep.swings in weighteither by overeating or by the feeling of a knot in the stomach that makes appetite impossible.

What causes a nervous breakdown or mental breakdown?

There is no linearity in life situations or in human beings. “There are moments in life when, depending on the coping style, personality and individual characteristics of each subject, the feeling of lack of control may appear”declares Patricia Fernández.

The feeling of being overloaded can happen because of a wrong management of situations and emotions. Pretend that everything is fine can cause the individual to suffer episodes of extreme distress.

Fernández refers that: “A nervous breakdown or mental collapse can occur because it has not been known to give a refusal, because sufficient limits have not been set or because simply some people don’t prioritize or listen to themselves. When this happens, head and body say ‘enough’“.

In today’s culturally you live between the lack of time, stress and immediacy. A clear example of “mental collapse” is the one that Britney Spears lived years ago, where she was evidenced in some images shaving her hair and disoriented. Quite a few public and famous figures have come to talk about it and normalize it with the intention of helping other people who suffer daily.

Prince Harry spoke of his psychological and emotional problems after the death of his mother, Princess Diana and declared: “It’s okay to suffer, as long as you talk about it. It’s not weakness. Weakness is having a problem and not facing it “.

“It is natural for anxious states to arise in our body. These transitory emotional episodes are even normalized as a way of ‘microcrisis’ that can be controlled. Accumulated anxiety and stress make it easier forin the face of a specific trigger, whether personal, work or relational, These nervous breakdowns happen“, says Natibel Romero, psychologist.

For Romero there is factors relevant to mental collapsewhich should not be ignored:

The generation of unrealistic expectations.The unresolved stressful situations that remained anchored in the mind. The constant idea of negative thoughts and rumination.The valuation of ourselves as beings capable of facing and overcoming critical moments. emotional management to deal with problems.

What to do in case of suffering this type of collapse?

It’s essential know the indicators (physical or mental) or symptoms of crisis, as well as detecting the sensations prior to this and the risk factors. According to the professional natibel romeroit can be very helpful to follow these steps:

Walk away where the symptoms started and remove the negative.Control thoughts. Repeating to oneself that it is something known that usually happens.use the breath: Although it may seem that you are short of breath, paying attention does become perceptible and reassuring.Close the eyesin this way external stimuli are eliminated and the center is the breath. Say out loud that the crisis has been overcome on previous occasions and that it will be achieved again.

How to prevent a mental breakdown?

To finish, Romero offers some keys with the intention of avoid possible new episodes of mental collapse:

avoid rumination of negative thoughts, accept them and leave them.trust in the strength and self-improvement capacity.Enhance positive qualities.stop and take time for yourself, to listen and understand those aspects that are not going quite well. Work on it and try to transform or eliminate it. Learn some relaxation technique. Practice conscious breathing, mindfulness, or meditation.Know the vulnerable points.Avoid judgments and demands with yourself. Don’t compare yourself to others.Live in the present day.Practice the self care.Practice Healthy habits:Set limits.Feed healthy and in a conscious way (leave caffeine, eliminate foods high in tryptophan, alcohol or excess fat)practice sport regularlySleep well.Keep a good relationship with family and friendslean on them or ask for help.Seek professional help.