Have you ever suffered a mental breakdown?

What I’m writing is strictly about me.

I had a breakdown.

I remember an inability to concentrate. My mind would not hold a thought steady. It couldn’t. It was impossible.

I was certain that I had mountains of problems, and I could not think of just one. However, at the same time, I could not see the whole mountain. It was a jumble of feelings.

There was a general feeling of impending doom. I could not put this feeling as the result of anything in particular. It did not seem to be the result of one thing. It was wide and general and unformed.

I have to reiterate the lack of the ability to concentrate. It was terrible.

I behaved recklessly regarding my personal safety and health.

All this led me to the hospital ER. I was seen by a psychiatrist. I was not hospitalized at that time, but I can see now it was advisable. I was hospitalized some time later, and it helped a great deal.

I got help. This breakdown ultimately led to being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which led to receiving prescriptions for medication. The medicine helps enormously.

I use therapy, too. I get great benefit from talking about all the stuff going on every other week with a person who is not emotionally attached to any outcome. The beauty of therapy is that the therapist is only a very loose guide. I am actually making my own way through my own issues.

I also meditate and exercise (which is on hiatus due to plantar faciitis). Sleep is important, too. I need to rest. It resets all my insides.

My story has a happy ending. All the things I do to maintain my recovery work. I am in a very good space at present, and I have every reason to expect it too continue.

I feel that I had a major breakdown about 6 years ago. I have PTSD relating to a traumatic loss in my youth and I had 3 people close to me pass away over the course of a year and a half, and it was just too much for me to process at the time. I was also physically sick at the time with a chronic illness that played a big part in some of my symptoms, but I wouldn’t receive a diagnosis for several years. I can’t think of anyway to describe it that doesn’t sound like typical depression and anxiety, but it was amplified to such an extreme that I was completely unable to function in my day to day life. My ability to tolerate stress bottomed out, including inconsequential day to day stressors that most people don’t bat an eye at. Minor inconveniences would cause me to break down into tears and the everyday challenges that most people face felt insurmountable, which in turn, made me feel dejected and ashamed of myself, which fed into the cycle. I struggled with agoraphobia with OCD traits and severe depression for a long time, every day was a challenge and it felt like there was no way I could overcome what I was experiencing. The hopelessness was profound. But, lo and behold, here I am. Still recovering, if I’m being honest. It hasn’t been easy. But I work every day toward a healthy life, I practice self care as much as I possibly can and I have a therapist that I like for the first time in 15 years. And although I am still struggling to deal with stress loads, I can honestly say that for a while there I think I really had come out on top. I like to think that I still am, even if it’s a little harder to hang onto it right now. But, I have hope that the brighter days are coming, and that’s really what matters. Hope your brighter days are coming soon, too.

Yes. I’ve blocked most of it out. I lost almost everything in university friends , health , future.

I suffer from a panic disorder. I have had multiple mental health crises throughout my life, including once publicly at age 22, which resulted in me being handcuffed in front of my peers, put in the back of a cruiser, and involuntarily committed for a day and a half in the same mental health facility where I had previously been incarcerated following my suicide attempt at age 18, and where both times I was treated with the utmost respect, dignity, and care. That experience was a great boon to my mental health and I’m thankful to report that I live a happy and productive life now.

Part of that was sarcasm.

To be completely truthful, every day is a struggle. Many people have told me that “it gets better.” I’m nearing 30, and I’m still waiting for it to get better. In reality, “it” has gotten worse in many ways, and I’m coping as well as I can, but it’s still really, really hard for me to do even normal people things. Like getting out of bed.

I’ve never had a breakdown but I’ve suffered depression and anxiety at various periods as a result of childhood traumas. More recently I had to deal with the aftermath of being abandoned by my husband. Two good therapists have helped me to sort out my distortions of reality and low self esteem and enhanced my resilience. The benefits of talk therapy have been immeasurable to me and I have learned, or keep having to learn, what is helpful and healing for me.

Sending a hug.

I’ve had two breakdowns. Both landed me in the ER. Both were embarrassing . I used to be SO good at handling stress. Not sure what happened. It just boiled over one day,and it’s been a struggle since. Sometimes I go months without attacks. Sometimes every day is a struggle. I rely on Ativant, or in the past Zanex if it gets too bad.

I try to take it one day at a time.
That’s the best I can do. I refuse to go on antidepressants. I’ve seen too many people change for the worse on them,or when they stop them. Plus, if Trump gets ellected,he’ll most likely take away my Obama care. Then I wouldn’t be able to afford the medication anyway…..

All I can say is.

Keep hope alive.

Peace n love.