Recovering from breakdown

[EmmaEmerald]

Does anyone have any experience of this?
I thought I'd had a nervous breakdown in my 20s but carried on working. This time I'm knocked out. I got up at 8 and need a nap already!

Yes, it took time and acceptance.

Just be easy with yourself, don't expect too much until you're actually ready.

Lots and lots of self care, focusing on the basics: nutritious food, good sleep, gentle exercise, plenty of daylight, keeping clean.

Forgive yourself when you can't manage anything. When you have a bad day, that's OK, it will pass, try again tomorrow.

Accept all help offered

Thank you
in terms of time, how long before you worked again, or felt able to?

Oh I'm sorry to hear that. From your reference to an "episode" I'm guessing you've had this before?

Interestingly my GP made no mention of any other help, though I'm not really sure I would benefit from anything more than the current plans and rest.

My issue was care for my mum, which I now think might have been building for years but my head in a funny space, so I can't be sure what I think about anything really.

So if I am able to step back from that totally, it will be key to my recovery. But I currently feel so unwell, I think even stepping back will mean a long road back to normal life and energy levels.

interestingly, I've never seen a psychologist

I really hope you recover asap, if you are going back on meds, that's good.

Speaking of saying "no" I've just backed out of a friend's birthday, which doesn't make me happy but what can you do.

I've been on meds for generalised anxiety and depression for 20+ years. Never had a day off sick for that. But this time I seem to have packed up completely.

@TheBuggerlugs your point about saying No a lot is crucial I think. I've had a massive breakdown. Not my first but this one is knocking the others out of the park. And I think this is because I tried to force myself to "get better " quickly previously. I didn't even tell anyone. I didn't want to let others down and I would keep doing what they needed at huge cost to myself.
This time I'm saying No. To all kinds of things.

I took a couple of years off, and was fortunate that I was able to. It took another couple of years before I felt more like my old self though, it was a long climb back but taking my time meant it was healthier for me.

Every recovery is unique though.

Weather - sorry to hear that. And not your first?

StBrides - yes, I'm sort of okay for money but manage to panic about it anyway.

Buggerlugs - I'm really surprised to hear that but mostly worked at home since 2016 and love it, suits me much better than the office. I know some people are unhappy but didn't realise it would cause this kind of havoc.

The breakdown was three weeks ago. I just want to crawl in a hole and sleep. I seem to have got worse rather than better.

I think sometimes worse before better can be a thing. What help and support are you getting, @EmmaEmerald ?

Well, I've got a new meds plan from my GP. Apart from that, my boyfriend offers a lot of support but it's a new relationship and I'm wary of taking it, plus he's half my age, which makes me feel bad. No one starts a relationship expecting to have to deal with all the stuff he's dealt with.

couple of friends check in via text each day. Can pop to church and witter on at people I don't know that well but they are sweet.

my sister is with me this weekend and then not the bank holiday, but the one after as well. She's not very practical but she will cheer me up.

Buggerlugs I do take vitamins but vaguely recall someone mentioning prescription vitamins here which are apparently very good, I must see if I can find that. I feel like I could do with a really powerful vitamin - or will it just be a waste of money in this current state of health?

Check in with your gp regularly, ask it's written into your notes that you have regular appointments.

Would you consider therapy? Sometimes it's not the right time for it, even if we'd need it, but it can help.

Your gp can run some bloods to check for deficiencies, some can contribute to anxiety/depression and certainly energy.

Great that you have support from friends and family, and your bf sounds lovely:)

I had a 'proper' nervous breakdown in 2021. I was bedridden for 4 months. Couldn't even speak to my children. Had to watch bird videos on YouTube continuously or I would collapse. Couldn't stand up to make a sandwich or even walk to the car.
It was triggered by my daughter developing dangerous nocturnal seizures, nephew dying of cot death, uncle hanging himself, watching my grandmother die,, cancer scare, covid lockdown and various other things.
I didn't spend any time in hospital but I did go on sertraline and regained some normality although I'm still recovering now.

cantthink oh my dear, probably PTSD after all that? Hugs if wanted.

StBrides yes, he's written a note for regular checks. My experience of therapy has been really negative I'm afraid. Also, I don't know what I'm feeling atm so couldn't give an accurate picture for them to work with?

BuggerLugs I'm not in a fit state to journal - I started keeping notes about two days after the breakdown but then my brain fell out. I think the main thing is probably rest and sleep.

Thanks for all the replies and I am sorry so many have had these experiences.

Completely understandable, if its not right for you then don't force yourself.

Rest & sleep: this is exactly what I felt.i remember the gp asking me after a while what I thought I needed and I said, "time and sleep".

We're always here if and when you need to talk.

to everyone else recovering, too

I'm really glad you've been able to access the crisis team. It's so hit and miss around the country.
I've just returned to work after 3 months off. I've had episodes before but this has been the worst I think. Everything just came crashing down seemingly out of the blue.
Take care of yourself.

GP made no mention of crisis team for me but I guess they can't help in a case like mine. What do they do? I guess it's all under control so it's not a crisis but I'm curious.

Sorry to hijack the post but @StBrides how did you manage to keep pushing forward for that length of time?
My breakdown started in February, I was off work for 7 months couldn't really leave the house for 3 of those. Just started back to work a few weeks ago but every day I wake up feeling huge anxiety and pretty much feel anxious all day . People keep saying I've been really ill and it will take a long time to be better but when you feel bad day after day it's hard to keep the hope. X