How You Can Get Over a Nervous Breakdown

January 21, 2014

How You Can Get Over a Nervous Breakdown

Suffering a nervous breakdown is a frightening and exhausting experience. Though no one wants to experience a nervous breakdown, life events and circumstances land many people to such on the journey of life. What do you do when you realize that you are in the midst of a breakdown? How do you even realize that you’ve hit that point?

If you are suffering from severe anxiety, fatigue, moodiness, brokenness, fatigue, and significant mental and emotional issues, you are likely to be going through a breakdown. Maybe you have gone through a tremendously difficult situation like a divorce or the loss of a loved one. Or perhaps you lost your job or lost your ability to work after an accident. There are many reasons why people suffer a nervous breakdown, but there is hope in getting through one and back on your feet again.

Tips for getting through your nervous breakdown:

When you are right in the midst of a nervous breakdown, life does not make much sense. You nerves are shot, your thoughts are irrational and worrisome, your emotions are all over the place, and fear covers you like a blanket.  It is quite a suffering of the soul and in order to overcome it, it is first important to recognize you are IN it and make a decision to reach for help and do what it takes to get out.

Treat the symptoms

What symptoms are you experiencing? Are your nerves on high alert, making it difficult to eat and sleep?

Meditation and breathing. Perhaps you can take up deep breathing and relaxation exercises. Mediation is also a wonderful tool that helps alleviate stress, anxiety and the racing thoughts that run through the mind. Some people find prayer or attending a religious function helps them get through as well.

Journaling.  It’s a great idea to write down your thoughts and feelings in a journal. Keep track of your entries so that you can gauge where you’ve been and where you are going. You can also write down some positive affirmations and recite them out loud on a daily basis. As you do, your thought life will get better and as your thoughts affect your emotions, your emotions will get better as well.  Write down affirmations like:

  • My life is getting better.
  • I am feeling better every day.
  • I can handle anything that comes my way.
  • This season of brokenness is over.
  • I am a strong, independent, loving person.
  • My mind is clear and my thoughts are positive.
  • I am safe and loved.

Get therapy.  If you are in the midst of a nervous breakdown, it will do you good to see a therapist. There you will have a safe place to let out your feelings and get some insight as to why you ended up on the road to a breakdown in the first place.  Commit to therapy for a season, like 6 or 9 months, and watch how you progress!

Take up exercise. Exercise is a great stress reliever. If you are able, commit to an exercise regimen three to four times a week so that you can feel better physically and mentally.

Invest in yourself.  Go to a seminar on personal development. Read some good books that will help you grow. Pop in an audio CD in the car on your way to work. Take some time to invest in yourself in various way so that you can become stronger mentally and emotionally.  Even 15 minutes a day encouraging yourself will help you lift up out of the breakdown.

Face the root cause

There is bound to be one or several factors as to why you are suffering a breakdown right now. Are you in an abusive relationship? Have your actions caused you a load of guilt and regret? Do you hate your job/boss/spouse/life? Are you under significant financial strain? Dig deep and discover has brought you to such a point. You can do this yourself or you can have a therapist help you.

You can get over a nervous breakdown if you follow these tips and really make some life changes.  A nervous breakdown is not always a terrible thing. In fact, some men and women will tell you that their breakdown was in fact a stepping stone for a spiritual awakening.  Sometimes it is at the darkest moments in life where people learn a lot about themselves and life in general.

Don’t give up hope.  Get going THROUGH your breakdown today.

Image Credit:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/charlieeclark/6191679822/