Breakdowns - what are the warning signs & what are the symptoms?

[redbrigade]

Dear all,
I've recently been having experiences which are (not ironically) increasing my anxiety that I might be approaching a breakdown. A week or so ago I had my mental healthcare plan renewed at my GP. We didn't really discuss much that might have been obvious triggers, but afterwards, when I got into my car I just started crying and struggled to stop.

I've been googling for information but can't really find any that isn't vague. Perhaps that's just the way this sort of thing goes, but I'm really trying to understand what the warning signs of a breakdown are, and what the symptoms are, because knowing - I guess - is half the battle.

Cheers

[HA1]

Hi

In my case; inability to unwind, sleeplessness, irritability, racing mind, etc.  I guess the truth is that there can be any number of warning signs, depending on the individual.  

K

[HA1]

..... And I should add, terrible sadness.

[redbrigade]

Thanks Hideaway.

My I ask whether these were the things you felt during a breakdown, or approaching one?

[White_Rose]

Dear Red

Good to hear from you and welcome to the forum.

I'm not sure what you mean by breakdown. You say you have a mental health plan which is great. Do you have depression and/or anxiety?

If by breakdown you mean major depression I can point you to good information. At the top of this page there are a number of tabs. Click on The Facts and Resources. Beyond Blue has a great collection of fact sheets which are accurate and easy to read. These can be sent to you.

Also, on the homepage, there is a link to a one-minute depression checklist. This will give you a score on the likelihood of your depression though it is by no means a diagnostic tool, just an indicator. You will need to follow this up with your doctor.

Bursting tears for no apparent reason is a classic depression symptom. Other symptoms include feeling tired, reluctance to get out of bed, lacking energy, aches and pains, feeling lost, unwanted, worthless and sad. Also waking during the night, usually in the small hours or being unable to sleep and thoughts racing round in your mind. Not everyone has all of these and others have different symptoms. So you really need an expert opinion.

I fell apart at work one day when sitting at my desk and bursting into noisy tears. In retrospect it was the most embarrassing thing I have ever done. The room just went totally quiet. Fortunately a colleague came to my rescue and took me out to a quiet place.

So read the BB information and go back to your doctor. The doctor needs to know if your illness is escalating.

Regards, Mary

[HA1]

Hi Redbrigade

The feelings I describe we're certainly those I experienced immediately before the breakdown.  I think the terrible sadness, along with tears were the telling signs.

take care of yourself Red

k

[redbrigade]

Thanks White Rose.
I was diagnosed with Anxiety & Depression in 2006 and have been treating it since then. It goes back well into my teenage years though, and possibly earlier (I'm now 32).
I think things are just particularly tough for me right now because I'm in the middle of my PhD, and I'm not making any progress, for various reasons which you're probably familiar with. Inability to concentrate, forgetfulness, tiredness, etc.
Since you mentioned the insomniac symptoms, those are probably some of the worse I have. It's not uncommon for me to wake up half a dozen times each night, although I have no problems falling asleep.

The biggest problem for me is the lack of support in academia. The university of course has counselling sessions available. I wouldn't say they are more skilled than my psychologist, and when I've used them they often just saddle me with extra homework. I've had to cancel my psychiatric appointments because I can't afford them on a student wage (I normally teach to supplement it but I need to be able to focus at this critical point of my thesis). Anyway this is a bit of a digression but you can probably imagine my frustration doesn't help things.

Thanks for lending me your insights Hideaway & White Rose

[Chris_B]

Hi Redbrigade,

Welcome to the forums. I have friends who have completed or are completing PhDs and to a person they have all said it's been the most stressful and draining time of their lives.  So you're not alone in feeling overwhelmed!

You might want to check out The Desk, it's a website resource from beyondblue aimed at tertiary students. It contains coping strategies and resources that you might find helpful.