Mental Breakdown Symptoms

Previously, the term Mental Breakdown was used primarily to indicate a range of multiple mental illnesses. The reason behind this was the extensive effect of symptoms of Mental Breakdown that hardly any functioning system of your body was left unimpacted.

This implies that the symptoms of a Mental Breakdown are not limited to a certain part of your body instead they involve affecting you as a whole person. This means during a Mental Breakdown your physical abilities, as well as social qualities, are disturbed. Not only this, but, the majority of the symptoms of a Mental Breakdown also greatly influence your psychological capabilities.

To get you best acquainted with the symptoms of Breakdown, we have mentioned each type in as much detail as possible!

Following are the symptoms of a Mental Breakdown of each type:

Physical Symptoms Of A Mental Breakdown

The most prominent among the symptoms of a Mental Breakdown is most often the physical symptoms. These can be easily recognized by you.

Some of the common physically associated symptoms are as follows:

• Headaches and Muscle Pains

Unexplained medical ailments are very prominent at times of stress. Having headaches and muscle pains usually present at the onset of a mental breakdown. This is because during a stressful period your muscles tend to tighten up and relax when the situation has cooled off. 

However, if you’re constantly experiencing stress, your muscles might not get a chance to relax and resultantly you suffer from fatigue. 

• Digestive Issues

During times of stress, your body produces stress hormones such as adrenaline or cortisol to help you with the required amount of energy and function from the visceral organs. Meaning your cardiovascular and respiratory system so you’re able to get out of a stressful situation quickly. 

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However, this sudden increment of stress hormones has a depressive effect on your digestive system. The acid inside your stomach is increased which may cause acid reflux. Chronic stress also alters your food mobility through the digestive tract hence you may also experience nausea vomiting and diarrhea.

• Diaphoresis

Diaphoresis is a medical term used to describe unusual sweating. It is a commonly observed phenomenon during a Mental Breakdown. It is because, during times of heavy stress, your body goes into flight or fight mode which in turn increases your body temperature. 

This rise in temperature causes your sweat glands to produce sweat in an effort to cool down your body.

• Tachycardia

As mentioned before, when your body receives emergency hormones, it enhances the actions of your vital systems. The cardiovascularular system is one of them, this causes an increment in your normal frequency of the heartbeat. This phenomenon is known as tachycardia and is commonly seen during a mental breakdown. 

• Dyspnea

Stress makes changes in your breathing to meet the demand made by your cells in times of stressful situations. The respiration becomes faster so that more oxygen can be dissolved in your blood and may be delivered to the rest of the body. 

However, this increase in respiratory rate may also have a reverse effect resulting in difficulty in breathing or you may even experience shortness of breath. If you already suffer from asthma or any other respiratory condition, this might become even worse. Dyspnea is defined as shortness of breath.

• Insomnia

Stress has been one of the major risk factors for insomnia. Short-term stressful situations can result in temporary insomnia which may be reversible. 

However, due to continuous exposure to stress, you may easily develop chronic insomnia which would require medication to be treated. 

• Changes in Appetite

During a short-term stress period, your body shuts down your appetite. However, if you face chronic stress, your adrenal glands start producing more cortisol than required which as a result increases your appetite. 

During a mental breakdown, you tend to be stressed all the time leading to constant production of cortisol and hence may develop a habit of overeating contrary to before.

Psychological Symptoms Of a Mental Breakdown

Psychological symptoms most commonly seen are described below:

• Hallucinations 

Hallucination is a symptom of a psychiatric condition where you may hear or see things that do not exist in reality. The severity may vary from one person to another. 

However, during a severe mental breakdown, you have a higher tendency to experience Hallucinations, especially during a psychotic type of mental breakdown. 

• Thoughts of Suicide and Self-Harm

During a mental breakdown, your body becomes unable to perform even the day-to-day functions which means even the most minimal tasks might seem a chore to you. 

This produces constant depressiveness which might lead to thoughts of self-harm or even suicide.

• Feelings of Depersonalization

One of the common symptoms observed during a mental breakdown is a sense of depersonalization in the patient. It refers to the person unable to experience feelings of belonging to a certain place, any group of people or even your own body.

• Low Self Esteem and Frequent Mood Swings

A person during mental breakdown experiences low self-esteem and frequent mood swings. The reason being the inability to get minimal tasks done. This results in the production of feelings of disappointment and self-doubt. 

• Increasing Irritability and Aggressive Behaviour

When things do go according to your plan you have a high tendency to lash out. Such is the case with people suffering from a mental breakdown; they are more prone to increased irritability and aggressiveness because of constant failure surrounding them.

Behavioral Symptoms Of A Mental Breakdown

When you are stressed out or tense about something you are unable to enjoy socializing to the maximum of your capabilities. 

Similarly, going through chronic stress makes you want to withdraw from all social gatherings. You prefer to stay isolated and find ways that help you neglect your responsibility and offer you an escape from reality, such as Alcohol, cigars, etc.

• Social Withdrawal
• Constant Isolation
• No active participation in gatherings
• Loss of Interest any hobbies/activities
• Sudden Emotional Outbursts
• Uncontrollable Crying
• Increased substance use Alcohol, Cigarette, etc.