Many of us will struggle with our emotional states at some point in our lives. Frankly, this is all part of the human experience. However, there is a big difference between having emotional downtime and having an emotional breakdown. An emotional breakdown can be devastating and damaging to both the individual experiencing it and the loved ones around them. The good news is there are many effective means, methods, and modalities that can help you recover from an emotional breakdown. There are also many tools that one can use to avoid having an emotional breakdown in the first place. This is especially true for those who also struggle with addiction.
How to Recognize an Emotional Breakdown
So, what exactly is an emotional breakdown? An emotional breakdown (sometimes still referred to as a “nervous breakdown”) is when an individual starts to experience negative effects from excessive stress and mental struggle. They are often associated with work or school-related stress.
There are many ways to recognize an emotional breakdown. However, an emotional breakdown will look different depending on the situation and the individual. Some people may shut down completely due to an emotional breakdown, while others may become quite “manic” and seem to want to go in many different directions all at once (sometimes this is referred to as “spinning out”). The wide range of signs and symptoms that can accompany an emotional breakdown is a good reason to know more broadly what to look for.
The Signs and Symptoms of an Emotional Breakdown
First, it is important to note that there is not one specific reason for an emotional breakdown to occur. Also, many people experience emotional breakdowns without any obvious recent reason. This is often because they are experiencing some type of untreated underlying trauma.
Many people don’t realize just how common trauma is. In fact, many people will experience at least one form of trauma in their lives. According to the peer-reviewed journal Psychological Medicine, “General population studies have shown that a large proportion of people in developed countries have been exposed to at least one TE [traumatic event] in their lifetime (estimates from 28 to 90%), with the most common events being the unexpected death of a loved one, motor vehicle accidents, and being mugged. Much more limited evidence for less developed countries suggests that fatalities due to injuries and accidents are more common in low- and middle-income countries than in high-income countries….”
Now, while there are no specific individual signs and symptoms of an emotional breakdown, there are some more universal signs to look out for. The following are just a few of those signs:
- Struggles at work or school
- Trouble at home and with relationships
- Isolating away from loved ones
- Losing interest in activities once enjoyed
- Using alcohol and substances as coping mechanisms for stress
- Feeling overly stressed out and/or anxious
- Having feelings of loneliness and worthlessness (depression)
- Losing sleep or sleeping too much
- Loss of appetite
- Exhibiting excessive mood swings
- Making rash and risky decisions
Emotional Breakdowns and Addiction
The fact of the matter is that people in active addiction are much more likely to experience an emotional breakdown. This is often because life is so chaotic to begin with that the foundation of emotional instability is already set. There are also many consequences that come from drinking and using that can lead to an emotional breakdown. For example, losing one’s job due to drinking could lead to an emotional breakdown.
It is also true that people in recovery may be more likely to experience an emotional breakdown. This is because this can be a very emotional and raw time, especially for those in early recovery. This is why staying focused and connected to an effective recovery plan is critical. This stability can help to stave off an emotional breakdown.
Effective Options for Treating an Emotional Breakdown
There are many highly effective treatments that can help with an emotional breakdown. Perhaps the most common and effective form is psychotherapy. These are behavioral therapies that can help one to better understand and manage their emotions so they can ultimately control the negative behaviors associated with them. The most common forms of psychotherapy are cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).
Holistic healing methods can also be highly beneficial for handling an emotional breakdown. This includes mindfulness meditation and yoga therapy. These modalities can help to stabilize emotions, create a better sense of balance, and reduce anxiety and depression. They can also help reduce the occurrence of “racing thoughts,” which tend to be a major symptom of an emotional breakdown.
A Focus on Long-Term Success at Lantana Recovery
Here at Lantana Recovery, we believe in long-term success over short-term “fixes.” That is why all of our plans focus on emotional well-being on an individualized and comprehensive basis.
If you are sick and tired of being sick and tired, then the time to recover is now. You can do this! We can help.
Emotional breakdowns are not the same as simply feeling “burned out.” It can be very helpful to know what an emotional breakdown looks like, how it may be related to alcohol and substance use, and how to manage one best if it happens. There are also many support groups for people who experience an emotional breakdown. If you feel like you or a loved one is struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or co-occurring disorders, we can help get you on the right road to recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. For more information about recovering after an emotional breakdown, please reach out to Lantana Recovery today at (866) 997-2870.
