He mental breakdownor «mental breakdown» in Spanishis not used in the clinical setting as a diagnosis.

«It is a terminology that It defines when our mind is not calm and/or serene. all peopleaccording to our way of managing the different situations and circumstances of life, emotions, actions and thoughts, we can collapse or explode mentally«he maintains Patricia Fernandezhealth psychologist.

What are your symptoms?

The symptoms of mental breakdown go hand in hand with anxiety and stress. «It is very difficult to collapse mentally if you have not lived with anxious symptoms or exposure to stressors for a long time. If this happens, it is necessary to put on the brakes since it can lead to emotional derailment or blockage«says Fernández.

According to the expert in health psychology, The most recurrent symptoms of mental collapse are:

• The fatigue and mental exhaustion.
• Apathy and reluctance in the face of daily chores, lack of enthusiasm and/or motivation.
• Rumination of thoughts with a greater negative than positive charge and constant worry about something specific.
• Experience unpleasant emotions such as anger, sadness and frustration.
• Difficulty falling asleep.
• Oscillations in weighteither due to overeating or the feeling of a knot in the stomach that makes appetite impossible.

What causes a nervous breakdown or mental breakdown?

There is no linearity in life situations or in human beings. «There are times in life when, depending on the coping style, personality and individual characteristics of each subject, the feeling of lack of control may appear»declares Patricia Fernández.

The feeling of being overloaded can happen because of a wrong management of situations and emotions. Pretend that everything is fine can cause the individual to suffer episodes of extreme distress.

Fernández states that: «A nervous breakdown or mental collapse can occur because one has not known how to give a refusal, because sufficient limits have not been set or because simply some people don’t prioritize or listen to themselves. When this happens, head and body say ‘enough’«.

In today’s society culturally We live between lack of time, stress and immediacy. A clear example of a “mental breakdown” is what Britney Spears experienced years ago, where she was evident in some images shaving her hair and being disoriented. Many public and famous figures have come to talk about it and normalize it. with the intention of helping other people who suffer from it daily.

Prince Harry spoke about his psychological and emotional problems following the death of his mother, Princess Diana, stating: «It’s okay to suffer, as long as you talk about it. It’s not weakness. Weakness is having a problem and not dealing with it.»

«It is natural for anxious states to arise in our body.. These temporary emotional episodes are even normalized as a ‘microcrises’ that can be controlled. Accumulated anxiety and stress make it easier forfaced with a specific trigger, whether personal, work or relational, these nervous breakdowns happen«, says Natibel Romero, psychologist.

For Romero there is relevant factors against mental collapsewhich should not be ignored:

• The generation of unrealistic expectations.
• The unresolved stressful situations that remained anchored in the mind.
• The constant idea of negative thoughts and rumination.
• The appraisal of ourselves as beings capable of facing and overcoming critical moments.
• The emotional management to deal with problems.

What to do if you suffer this type of collapse?

It is essential know the indicators (physical or mental) or symptoms of crisisas well as detecting the sensations prior to this and the risk factors. According to the professional Natibel Romeroit may be very helpful to follow these steps:

1. Move away from the place where the symptoms were triggered and remove the negative.
2. Control thoughts. Repeat to yourself that it is something known that usually happens.
3. Use your breath: Although it may seem like you are short of breath, if you pay attention it does become perceptible and reassuring.
4. close your eyesin this way external stimuli are eliminated and the center is breathing.
5. Say out loud that The crisis has been overcome on previous occasions and will be achieved again.

How to prevent a mental breakdown?

To conclude, Romero offers some keys with the intention of avoid possible new episodes of mental breakdown:

• Avoid rumination of negative thoughts, accept them and leave them.
• Trust in strength and capacity for personal improvement.
• Enhance positive qualities.
• Stop and take time for yourselfto listen to yourself and understand those aspects that are not going well at all. Work on it and try to transform it or eliminate it.
• learn some relaxation technique. Practice conscious breathing, mindfulness or meditation.
• Know the vulnerable points.
• Avoid judgments and demands on yourself. Don’t compare yourself to others.
• Live the present day.
• Practice the self care.
• Practice healthy habits:
  • Set limits.
  • Feed healthilyand in a conscious way (quit caffeine, eliminate foods high in tryptophan, alcohol or excess fat)
  • Practice sports regularly
  • Sleep well.
• Maintain a good relationship with family and friendslean on them or ask for help.
• Seek professional help.