If you’ve ever felt like you’re about to fall apart psychologically and emotionally, it may have crossed your mind that you were on the verge of a nervous breakdown. We’ve all heard that term, especially in film and media. Movies and television don’t do a great job of accurately portraying psychological problems. Mass-media sources thrive on sensationalism and drama, which doesn’t lend itself well to genuine conversations about the consequences of unrelenting stress.
An example of dramatized mental issues is the oft-referenced “nervous breakdown,” “mental collapse,” or “nervous collapse.” Although “nervous breakdown” is a common term, it’s not used by mental health care professionals, although it is very real. An adjustment disorder is the term used by psychologists and psychiatrists to describe what is commonly called a nervous breakdown[1]. It may occur either as a response to a serious and acute circumstance or it can be the culmination of a long-term psychological issue that becomes overwhelming.
Note that a nervous breakdown isn’t a psychotic event or loss of contact with reality. Any sufficiently severe mental distress can completely temporarily disrupt a person’s life and make even the simplest activities of day to day life hard or even impossible to do. When the demands of life become too overwhelming, people may find themselves shutting down.
Symptoms Of An Adjustment Disorder
Adjustment disorders are abrupt and serious enough to disrupt a person’s family, social and work life. are often severe enough to affect work or social life. Symptoms of an adjustment disorder are unusual for that person and can cause surprise to family, friends and co-workers when they happen. These symptoms include:
- Impulsive behavior
- Visible nervousness
- Crying outbursts
- Feelings of deep sadness or loneliness
- Unusual social isolation
- Feeling hopeless, helpless
- Feeling like the situation will never change
- Tremors or shakes
- Racing heart, skipped heartbeats, sweats
A mental health profession will diagnose a person with an adjustment disorder if the following conditions are met:
- The symptoms are preceded by a significant stressor
- Symptoms are severe and start at that level
- No other psychiatric issues are present
- The person is not in grief or mourning for the death of a loved one.
Treatment
Therapy is useful in treating adjustment disorders. The goal of therapy is to eliminate symptoms and get a person back to their old self If you feel you’re experiencing signs of burnout, seek help from an experienced psychiatric nurse practitioner who can help you understand what you’re feeling, why you’re feeling it and provide you options to move forward.
Damaris Aragon, ARNP, BC provides a full spectrum of mental health care to people in Spokane, Washington and the surrounding areas. She focuses on providing compassionate personalized care that adheres to current evidence-based standards. Reach out to Damaris through her contact page or calling 509-342-6592.
