Breakdowns

[Nabster]

Who has had one and what was it like? Did it help?

Im not sure what the definition of a mental breakdown is. One could argue you breakdown everytime you well, breakdown and cry! I knew someone who had a nervous breakdown - it absolutely did not help him, he was a totally different person afterwards (despite being "better") Very sad.

Whats going on NAB?

Just about to go for my appointment to see the mental health assessment team.

not sure what you mean by did it help?!

I guess it shoved me into getting support, but it didn't do a lot for my self esteem. I still feel ashamed about it now. Things jsut built up until one night when I jsut lost it.

I suppose the other thing it has helped wiht is that I now know I do have a limits and to take action before things get to that stage.

I am not sure I have had one - I certainly think I have and I guess it's like (but 100 x) like how you feel ish after a good cry. I got to a stage where I was just so nothing, and so in pieces and just released in a way and then was able to build up from nothing, rather than from more of a mess. That may not make sense... Are you ok? {{hugs}}

I am wondereing if it helped in that everything was out, i tend to keep things in as there are some things i just daren't say.

i have been knocked for six this morning and can't see past that tbh

i have to go now

thanks all, as ever

Going into hospital helped. I had a comlete breakdown, really strong suicidal thoughts were the last straw. Turned out I was having a terrible reaction to Prozac. But 2 weeks in hospital was a great relief. Now, six years and a lot of ups and downs later, I have the correct diagnosis - bipolar disorder. And life is so much better. I have often wondered whether I felt "able" to have a complete breakdown because I had relatively few responsibilities at the time; ie a good job, supportive managers, sick-pay etc, and no kids. But I think when crunch time comes you just do let everything go because breaking down is your body and mind's way of taking time out. Good luck. Please be honest with your medical professionals.

I've often wondered what constitutes a "nervous breakdown".

I'm not sure if I was having one in early 20's when I left Uni. I was certainly very depressed.

Are you ok?

I had a nervous breakdown about 10 years ago, it was horrendous, not just for me but those around me especially dh.

I won't go into details but basically I'd reached rock bottom, literally breaking point and it took a long time and a lot of help to slowly regain myself and to finally function again in the real world.

I'm sorry you feel so bad, Nabster, but there definitely is life after a breakdown.

Just got back.

Admin error. Doctor not there. Can I go back at 3. I can't as hubby doing a crucial deal in London at 2.

Just want to hide away. I hate how worried hubby is over me. I just want someone to make everything alright.

only you can do that! That sounds really scary doesn't it - but you know what - once you realise that, it gives you back your power! It took me a long time that getting better can only come from me - but it really can and once i realised that it almost felt better. Because you are actually realising that you CAN make things better - thats a definate, waiting for someone else to wave a magic wand is stressful in itself.

Have you arranged an appointment? Can they come to your house? Don't give up on it. You will get access to proper counselling etc. You are making a big step doing this, dont be put off by this.

Was already seeing my GP tmw so the surgery have rung and said to talk about it with him tomorrow.

I am just wondering how low I can go, and how much crap I can take, before I smell the coffee.

its a slow process Nab, hopefully you will get a decent counsellor (my first was rubbish) and get on the road to recover. You ARE smelling the coffee - you have started the process! I hae to go now - good luck with the GP tomorrow.

I had a breakdown 2 years ago. It was the scariest thing of my life, i suppose it helped in that i started to get the relevant treatment but still scares me to think of the impact i had on my dd and dh. The only good thing i suppose is i now realise if i am going towards that route again i know i need to up my tablets or get help before it happens again. At the height of my breakdown i was begging to be sectioned cos knew i cudnt cope, i know now what to do before i get to this stage. Hope you are ok and its good your dh is supportive, mine was supportive and took 2 month off work to look after dd however didnt understand it and still doesnt.

I know this is a stupid question but how did it manifest itself and did you sort of go with it or was it completely out of the blue and you couldn't stop it?

I had no idea I was having a 'breakdown' when I was ill, it didn't occur to me that there was anything wrong at all - the first I knew about it was when I was dragged into hospital

I started to think that nothing was real around me i had no regard for life cos didnt believe i was here, when people left my house i thought they just disappeared. I had these thoughts for about 3 days before they completely overtook me and i cwawaled up in a ball and an ambulance was called. Prior to this i had been having axiety attacks for around 6 month and feeling very stressed