Recovering from a nervous breakdown - advice?

[user1481747500]

Hi everyone

I'm hoping someone can share their own experiences and offer some advice.

My GP has recently confirmed that I suffered a nervous breakdown in the summer, triggered by lots of major things in my life going pear-shaped at the same time.

I'm on beta blockers to curb the feelings of chronic anxiety and panic, but resisting taking anti-depressants too. I've been told by my the GP that recovery can take a long time. Also, I've had to work through a very intense first few months of a hectic new job to generate an income (I split with my partner but was freelance and had to urgently find a regular income). I've had to get on with things, and am still fighting my way through some horrible symptoms like very weak legs, depression, headaches, sadness, nerves, swollen glands/ tonsils, flu-like symptoms, etc.

I've been putting on weight since I just can't find the strength for rigorous exercise. My health is unpredictable - I have no idea how I'll feel one day to the next.

Has anyone else done through this? What did you experience?

It's very scary - especially without close friends to be here to support me (I'd previously relocated for my ex but we split up back in May and have struggled to make good friends in my mid-40s). I can't plan ahead to visit friends elsewhere as I have no idea how I'll feel on the day I'm due to travel.

This has been a horrendous experience, and I obviously really want to recover.

Can anyone suggest anything that they've done that really helped them recover from a breakdown?

I'm meditating regularly, doing yoga and generally taking things easy when I can. But it's the unpredictability of my health that really is dragging me down and I never would have thought a breakdown would feel like this. It feels never-ending.

Thanks all, and look forward to hearing from you. xx

Hi Treacelfarl - thanks for your thoughts and support. Your experience also sounds severe and really well done on coming through it.

Inarightpickleandchutney - I wouldn't want to recommend anything - but I didn't get on with Floradix. I tried it years ago as I tend to suffer from anaemia sometimes, but it gave me a bad tummy. But I have a sensitive tummy so I'm not sure how other people would get on with it. Worth chatting your GP about supplements?

You're all fantastic, ladies.

SambaShoes - I haven’t been single since I was 18 so can’t imagine what it’s like to go through such a tough time without a partner although my DP does have his own myriad issues too which doesn’t help!

Supplements wise - I’ve taken loads as I have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and have wasted hundreds on shipping all kinds of stuff from the US in an attempt to boost my energy/mood/health. It’s a minefield and you do have to give each one a ‘fair test’ which is tricky. I would probably have been better off spending the money on a private nutritionist but never mind! I would say do your research and do not waste your money, as it can become really addictive looking for a miracle cure. Lots of veg and not too much sugar is cheaper and pretty effective IMO.

Hi I am going through this at the moment I think perhaps we should take a little heart in the fact that we feel so alone yet coming on here shows we are not , sympathy to all of you, my constant fatigue also prevents any social life not able to plan anything, I am taking antidepressants for years but just had a bad reaction to venlafaxine capsules, I was on the tablets but I moved and the new gp gave capsules I thought they were the same obviously not , I originally came on here to see if anyone else had bad experience however, I came across Sambashoes , best of luck don’t try to rush things go at your own pace x

mostimproved - Totally agree with you. I also think a lot of nutrition is common sense - wholefoods, plenty of water, etc. And I guess you need to find the right supplements. Sorry it's been a financial drain though

Julcol - I'm sorry you're going through it also. It's nice to know everyone on here is offering support. Has your GP changed your medication?

I’m going tomorrow I’m nervous about changing as last time I put 3 stone on 🙁 and so many side effects !

I basically slept for eighteen months. I needed that time to recover from everything that life had thrown at me in the previous ten years. No drugs used. Fine now.

I was in a similar situation to you 2 years ago. I slowly weaned myself off Citalopram this summer and for about a month felt fine but then sank back into depression and almost constant panic attacks. So, I'm back on Citalopram again and am struggling along.

I think what I am really trying to say is that it takes a long time to recover properly and that you need to take it slowly and not get impatient to be back to "normal".

I'm seeing that now - that it can take ages but to be very patient with myself. That's never been one of my strong points and lack of patience probably what got me into this situation in the first place :-o Lesson learnt .

My partner is 2 weeks into a breakdown. He's still in denial and refusing medication. Well done for facing up to what you're going through; that's often half the battle.

Are there any mental health support groups you could attend? It will take time to get better. Your breakdown is fairly recent. It sounds like you are making an effort to get better.

Sorry I can't offer any useful advice, I just wanted to say well done and I wish you all the best.

Hi merrykate. I really hope your partner decides to seek help - it's a horrible experience and the more support he gets now, the less damaging it may be in the longer term. Eve if it's just taking some time off work or away from whatever is causing so much stress.

Thanks for your good wishes.

How are you all getting on? I had a breakdown during the purchase of a house and moving to a new city. I am taking a break from it now, but feel bad. I should just get on with it - prices will go up etc, but I know I need to heal. I hope I can.

So sorry to hear you're recovering from a breakdown 😢 It's awful but you MUST put yourself first.
It tool me a good 5 to 6 years to feel like myself again. It turned out I was also post menopausal by 2019 so I reckon my breakdown triggered an intense menopause too. It was absolutely horrible.

I'm doing much better now, but as soon as I started getting back out there to travel to visit friends, etc. My parents both suffered life changing health crises so I'm now caring for them. It's a huge struggle and I've never once stopped working since my breakdown. I do teeter on the edge of a secondary breakdown down but I see the signs and immediately rest. It usually means having early nights (7-8pm) so at least I'm horizontal which helps a lot.

I'd say don't worry about buying the house. It's merely bricks and mortar. Another property will come along. Speaking from experience, there no point putting yourself through it all, then not being able to enjoy it! I bought my house mid-breakdown (but I wasn't aware at the time), and really struggled to decorate, etc. I spent most of my time on the sofa, and had very noisy neighbours which made everything so much worse.

Put yourself first. Recover. Heal. Then buy another place that will suit the person you are at that time. Your preferences may be influenced by your breakdown. I went through a huge 'life review' whilst unwell, and my life priorities massively changed as a result. So make space for that too.

Good luck and rest up. 😊