nervous breakdown Archives - University Health News

What to Do If You Think You’re Having a “Nervous Breakdown”

Dawn Bialy — Mon, 20 Jun 2022 18:38:12 +0000

The term “nervous breakdown” is commonly used to refer to an inability to function normally; it’s often described as a feeling of being overwhelmed and unable to cope with life’s demands. Some health-care professionals refer to it as a “mental health crisis.”

“While the term ‘nervous breakdown’ is not an actual clinical condition or diagnosis, the term is widely used to describe an emotional state of feeling overwhelmed and experiencing difficulty functioning in everyday life activities,” explains Susan Evans, PhD, professor of psychology in clinical psychiatry and director of the Cornell Cognitive Therapy Clinic.

A woman experiencing a nervous breakdown may be unable to work or meet other responsibilities, such as caring for children or other family members or engaging in domestic duties such as shopping, cooking, and cleaning.

Common Signs of a Crisis

People who describe how they feel when having a nervous breakdown often mention one or more of these symptoms:

Feeling hopeless or helpless
Change in appetite and eating habits
Significant weight gain or weight loss
Change in sleep patterns (insomnia, inability to stay asleep, sleeping for many hours but feeling fatigued)
Nausea and/or vomiting
Withdrawal from family and friends
Panic attacks (chest pain, difficulty breathing, racing heartbeat).

Sometimes, a medical condition or substance abuse issue can further complicate the severity of a mental health crisis.

What Causes a Nervous Breakdown?

A mental health crisis is often brought on by extreme stress caused by the death of a loved one, loss of a job, divorce, or other traumatic life event, but it also may result from prolonged, ongoing stress that gradually takes a toll on your health.

“Chronic stress depletes our physical and mental reserves and can have a profound negative effect on our well-being, including contributing to depression and other emotional disorders. Chronic stress also can impact our cognitive abilities, including thinking, concentration, and memory,” says Dr. Evans.

Other Contributors

Sometimes, conditions such as anxiety or depression can cause a crisis if they are untreated. In addition, these conditions may become more severe when a highly stressful event occurs.

Depression is a condition that is both under-recognized and undertreated and may mimic what people refer to as a nervous breakdown. Symptoms of depression may include a loss of interest in usual activities, social withdrawal, trouble thinking and concentrating, and a feeling that life may not be worth living. Sleep and appetite are often affected.

Dr. Evans also says that significant anxiety can contribute to a nervous breakdown. Anxiety is characterized by worry about potentially threatening events that may occur in the future; a person may become so preoccupied with worry that it impacts his or her ability to function. Dr. Evans notes that anxiety often translates into physical symptoms, including muscle tension and pain, irritability, trouble concentrating, and sleep difficulties.

“If you recognize these symptoms in yourself or someone you know, it is important to inform your physician,” emphasizes Dr. Evans.

Treatment Options

Effective treatments for mental and emotional problems include medication and cognitive behavioral therapy, and stress management techniques can be helpful (see below).

If you are diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety, antidepressants or antianxiety medications may be prescribed. Psychotherapy (also called counseling) involves meeting with a mental health professional, such as a psychologist, and solving problems by exploring your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

The post What to Do If You Think You’re Having a “Nervous Breakdown” appeared first on University Health News.

Anxiety Symptoms in Women: What Causes Them, and How to Cope

Alison Palkhivala — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 12:00:57 +0000

The body’s stress response, the one that prepares us to “fight or flight” in the face of an imminent danger—encountering a wild animal or a mugger, for example—is activated more readily in women than men and lasts longer. This may help explain why anxiety symptoms in women are twice as likely to occur than anxiety symptoms in men. But this is just a theory.

Research has also shown that the female brain does not process the brain chemical serotonin as quickly as the male brain. Serotonin plays a major role in how the body responds to stress and anxiety.

Finally, research also suggests that women’s brains may be more susceptible to the hormone corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF). This hormone plays an important role in the regulation of the stress response.

More Theories Behind Anxiety Signs in Women

Another theory is that the female sex hormones progesterone and estrogen play a role in anxiety in women. Anyone who has suffered from premenstrual syndrome (PMS) knows that changes in female sex hormones can make you feel shaky and more vulnerable to stress.

Further thinking that female sex hormones may play a role in anxiety is evidence that anxiety disorders often manifest or worsen during pregnancy or during the first few weeks after having a baby. Some women also experience anxiety associated with menopause.

Contributing to the hormone hypothesis is the fact that supplementation with the male hormone testosterone can sometimes have anti-anxiety effects. Men, therefore, may be somewhat protected from anxiety disorders by their natural tendency to have higher levels of testosterone in their systems.

What Are Anxiety Symptoms in Women?

Feeling “on edge” is one of the symptoms that turns up among women who experience anxiety.

FYI

ANXIETY RELIEF

There are countless ways to ease your anxiety. As noted in this post by Jami Cooley, doctors may prescribe antidepressants such as Prozac and Lexapro. Just be aware that they won’t necessarily be effective and could cause side effects. (Click here to read “Anxiety Medication and Antidepressants: Do They Make a Difference?” See also our post “Over-the-Counter Anxiety Medication: Does It Work?“)

A number of natural means may help:

Cognitive behavioral therapy: CBT helps you identify and change negative thoughts that may contribute to anxiety and panic. See our story
“Anxiety Attack? These Types of Therapy Can Reduce Your Stress and Anxiety Symptoms.”
Physical exercise: Exercise is “The Perfect Natural Antidepressant,” and it’s also important as a means of relieving stress. If you haven’t been particularly active, at least start a walking program. Just a half-hour a day at your own pace, for starters, can build quickly into a routine where you’re walking more briskly and for 45 minutes. See our post “The Benefits of Walking.”
Breathing exercises: Give a try to breathing exercises; it’s proven in research to lower blood pressure. The calming effect will reduce anxiety as well; click here to read about how simple it is to try breathing exercises.
Herbal treatments: Lavender is well known for calming restlessness nervousness, insomnia, and depression, per scientific research. Click here for more.
Other natural remedies: Supplements and vitamins may help treat the root cause for anxiety attacks, as we discuss in “Natural Remedies and Vitamins for Anxiety and Panic Attacks and in “Serotonin Supplements to Treat Depression, Anxiety, and Insomnia Yourself.”

There is some evidence that women are more likely to suffer from physical symptoms of anxiety than men. So, an anxious woman might go to her doctor complaining of chest pain, heart palpitations, stomachaches or nausea, muscle tension or pain, headaches, fatigue, sleep problems, or other physical symptoms.

Because of this, it can take some time before the anxiety is diagnosed. It is particularly important for women suffering from these symptoms to see their doctor, as there is evidence that women who suffer from physical symptoms of anxiety may be more vulnerable to heart disease.

In addition, a woman suffering from anxiety attack symptoms is also likely to have at least some of the mental or cognitive symptoms typically associated with anxiety, including excessive fear or worry that is difficult to control, obsessive thoughts, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and restlessness or feeling “on edge.”

For further reading, see these University Health News posts:

“Panic Attack Symptoms: Nausea, Chills, Palpitations, and 11 Other Common Reactions“
“Panic Disorder Symptoms: What They Could Mean”
“What Is a Nervous Breakdown?“

Originally published in 2016, this post is regularly updated.

The post Anxiety Symptoms in Women: What Causes Them, and How to Cope appeared first on University Health News.

Symptoms of a Nervous Breakdown

Alison Palkhivala — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 07:00:08 +0000

Many of us have heard stories of the 1950s housewife who had a nervous breakdown and had to spend time in a medical facility. But “nervous breakdown” is not a medical diagnosis. That’s right: There is no official or medical definition for the phrase “nervous breakdown.”

So what was that 1950s housewife—and many other people like her—suffering from? Who knows? It might have been depression or a panic attack or perhaps substance abuse or some sort of chronic illness, such as fibromyalgia.

Digging Deep for a “Nervous Breakdown” Definition

“Nervous breakdown” is an informal phrase used for any number of mental health conditions and possibly for a few physical illnesses as well. While the expression is falling somewhat out of fashion, the term “nervous breakdown” is often used to refer to illnesses that are either mental or emotional in nature or have a strong mental or emotional component and that leave a person temporarily unable to function or able to meet the demands of everyday life.

Perhaps that person’s job has become too stressful, or maybe he or she is trapped in a loveless marriage and all the misery caught up. More likely, the person experiencing a nervous breakdown is suffering from a real medical condition such as depression, anxiety, or a substance abuse disorder.

Symptoms and Treatment

Definition or not, then, most of us “get” the gist behind the phrase “nervous breakdown.” The feeling that you’re headed for a nervous breakdown may make it more and more difficult to get up in the morning. You simply can’t face going into work anymore, or even seeing anyone. You may be overwhelmed by anxiety or depression, plagued with thoughts of harming yourself, or simply unable to do more than eat junk food while parked in front of the television.

FYI

For further reading on related topics, see these University Health News posts:

“30 Stress Symptoms You May Recognize“
“Nausea, Chills, Palpitations and 11 Other Panic Attack Symptoms“
“How to Deal with Stress“
“How to De-Stress“

If you get to that point, it’s likely you need a break from school, work, and family responsibilities, and just as likely that you’d benefit from the help of a medical professional and/or therapist.

In the past, people who had what we would consider a nervous breakdown were often sent to inpatient healthcare facilities to recover. This is less common today, although such facilities do still exist, particularly those that treat substance abuse. Ultimately, if you feel like you’re losing your mind and just can’t go on, it’s time to put everyday responsibilities on hold, talk to a healthcare professional, and get the help you need. See also our sidebar “8 Tips for Those Feeling ‘Fried.'”

WHAT YOU CAN DO

8 TIPS FOR THOSE FEELING “FRIED”

Even though it’s not official medical terminology, the phrase “nervous breakdown” has been commonly used enough that most of us understand it—and probably have experienced it. What to do?

Get professional help. Start with your primary healthcare provider, who can guide you to professionals experienced in helping people through times of depression and stress. Therapy can make a major difference when it comes to coping, finding peace, and getting out of a rut.
Exercise. Yes, you hear it a lot, but it’s true. Take it seriously; regular exercise—even a 30-minute brisk walk around the block every morning before or after work—can do wonders not only for your physical health but for your mental health.
Keep a daily routine. Follow a familiar path from morning until bedtime; a regular routine can keep us focused, lead us to accomplish everything we need to get done, and avoid the pitfalls that come with uncertainty or idle time. So a routine that starts with, for example, a walk and your workday and includes regular meal times, consistent “play” time, productive activities, and a regular bed time can actually provide relief.
Write down your thoughts. Open a file on your hard drive or keep a pen and paper close by, and make it a practice to jot down emotions, happenings, to-do lists—whatever is on your mind.
Socialize. Lean on your family and trusted friends. A network of people who can sit for coffee, walk together, or share dinner can help you keep things in perspective and give you feedback on your thoughts, stresses, and challenges.
Engage in a hobby… and do it with passion. Whether it’s collecting antiques, listening to music, hiking, crossword puzzles, a hobby or hobbies add flavor and fun to your life and can build knowledge and expertise.
Get a pet. They’re not for everyone, but for many of us, a dog (maybe a rescue pup?), a cat (a new kitten or two?), or an aquarium full of fish can take off the edge on a daily basis.
Get enough sleep. Trying to get by on four or five hours of sleep per night, or struggling through restless nights of interrupted sleep, can not only create physical problems but it can contribute to stress and depression. Click here for tips on sleep hygiene.

—Larry Canale

Originally published in March 2016 and updated.

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Panic Disorder Symptoms: What They Could Mean

Alison Palkhivala — Fri, 09 Jun 2017 06:00:37 +0000

We typically hear about stress causing such conditions as a nervous breakdown or anxiety attack. But panic disorder symptoms can reflect a number of related conditions. Here are three to consider.

What Is Agoraphobia?

Agoraphobia is the fear of being exposed to any situation that produces significant anxiety or panic. Such situations include taking public transportation or airplanes, going over bridges, using highways, being in very open or enclosed spaces, being in crowds, or simply being outside of the home alone. Generally, the more difficult it is to escape a situation—e.g., taking a two-day cruise with no ports of call—the greater the likelihood it will produce agoraphobia.

In addition to feeling significant anxiety in such situations, people with agoraphobia often worry that something terrible might happen (e.g., the cruise ship might sink) or that they will be unable to escape or have no one to help them should panic set in. Because of their anxiety, people with agoraphobia actively avoid certain situations, and their fear of these situations is out of proportion with any actual risk that might be present.

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) or Social Phobia

People with social anxiety disorder have an intense fear of social situations, especially if they believe they’ll be judged or scrutinized by others. So, while a party may produce anxiety, a party in which the person is the guest of honor might produce anxiety so overwhelming it becomes difficult to even enter the room.

While many people feel nervous or awkward in social situations, especially if they do not know the people present, people with SAD can be so overwhelmed with panic disorder symptoms that they avoid social situations of all kinds. For some, even going to school or work can be a major challenge. When they are able to force themselves into social situations, people with SAD are frequently so paralyzed with fear that they cannot enjoy themselves or even function normally.

Often, people with SAD worry excessively that others will see them in a negative light, perceiving them as anxious, weak, crazy, boring, stupid, awkward, or otherwise unlikable or offensive. Their anxiety feeds into the disorder, since a common concern is that their fear will be obvious to others. While some judgment of others does occur in social situations and people with SAD do typically appear nervous in social situations, their fear of negative judgments is out of proportion with the amount of judgment that is likely to be really going on.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

While obsessive compulsive disorder and related conditions have their own category in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders separate from other anxiety disorders, excessive anxiety remains a key feature of this condition. People with OCD have repetitive and persistent thoughts (obsessions) that are out of their control and cause significant distress and anxiety.

Obsessive-compulsive traits can include phobias related to germs, resulting in frequent hand washing.

A common obsession in OCD is fear of contamination. In order to relieve the anxiety produced by these thoughts, people with OCD engage in compulsive behaviors, such as repetitive hand-washing. If they try to stop these compulsions, the obsessive thoughts and their accompanying anxiety rapidly become unbearable, no matter how much they may try to ignore or suppress them.

Often the compulsive behaviors must be performed according to strict rules in order to relieve the distress, and these rules may change over time. So, for instance, a person obsessively worried about carrying germs on his hands may need to wash his hands for 10 minutes with antibacterial soap but over time, this may increase to 15 minutes and require the use of a specific brand of antibacterial soap.

Once a compulsive behavior is performed, a person with OCD will temporarily experience relief, but very soon the anxious obsessions will intrude again, and he will have to start over. OCD can quickly take over people’s lives, forcing them to literally spend hours a day washing their hands or engaging in other compulsive behaviors.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD is another disorder associated with significant, overwhelming anxiety that is not officially categorized as an anxiety disorder. Instead, it is included in another category of disorders known as trauma and stressor-related disorders.

In PTSD, a trauma causes people’s natural stress response to go out of whack. They may find themselves constantly in a state of fight or flight or they may be very easily brought to this state. The classic example is the war veteran who is immediately driven into “fight or flight” mode every time he hears a loud noise because it brings him back to the trauma of war.

Understandably, people with PTSD avoid objects and situations that may trigger memories of traumatic events and thus produce the overwhelming fear, anxiety, helplessness, or horror they experienced in the past.

Originally published in May 2016 and updated.

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What Is a Nervous Breakdown?

Dawn Bialy — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 07:00:12 +0000

We’ve all heard and used the phrase “nervous breakdown,” but it’s not an actual medical term, so there is no clinical definition. So what is a nervous breakdown? Generally, the phrase refers to some type of mental health crisis that renders a person incapable of normal, effective functioning. The person may feel like he just can’t handle things or can’t do the things he usually does.

Some people are unable to work or meet other responsibilities, such as caring for children or engaging in domestic duties such as shopping, cooking, and cleaning.

What Is a Nervous Breakdown… And What Does It Feel Like?

Since there’s no medical definition of a nervous breakdown, there’s no definitive list of symptoms. However, people who describe how they feel when having this type of mental health crisis often mention one of more of these symptoms:

A change in appetite and eating habits
A significant weight gain or weight loss
A change in sleep patterns (insomnia, inability to stay asleep, or sleeping for many hours but feeling fatigued or exhausted)
Trembling or shaking
Nausea and/or vomiting
Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
Withdrawal from family and friends
Feeling hopeless or helpless
Mood swings
Panic attacks (chest pain, difficulty breathing, racing heartbeat)
Paranoia
Hallucinations

Sometimes, a medical condition or substance abuse issue can further complicate the severity of a mental health crisis.

What Causes a Nervous Breakdown?

A mental health crisis is often brought on by extreme stress. What causes stress that is this damaging?

It may be the death of a loved one, loss of a job, divorce, or other traumatic life event. Sometimes, the person may have a medical condition, such as anxiety or depression, that becomes worse when a highly stressful event occurs.

Some people are able to regain their coping skills and come out of the crisis on their own, but anyone who experiences ongoing symptoms that interfere with his or her normal activities for more than a few days is advised to seek medical help.

Treatment Options

If a person having a nervous breakdown is diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety, antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications may be prescribed. If the person was already diagnosed with depression or anxiety prior to the crisis, his treatment plan needs to be reviewed and adjusted. Psychotherapy—which also may be called talk therapy, counseling, or cognitive behavioral therapy—involves meeting with a mental health professional and discussing your situation.

Psychotherapy usually includes instruction on how to cope with stress. Tools that help to reduce stress include relaxation techniques, guided imagery, breathing exercises, and/or meditation. Physical exercise is also an effective tact for anyone wanting to learn how to de-stress.

If you experience a nervous breakdown, the key is to seek help so that you can get the assistance you need to improve your mental health and return to your normal level of functioning.

For further reading, see these University Health News posts:

“30 Stress Symptoms You May Recognize“
“Nausea, Chills, Palpitations and 11 Other Panic Attack Symptoms“
“How to Deal with Stress“
“How to De-Stress“

Originally published in May 2016 and updated.

The post What Is a Nervous Breakdown? appeared first on University Health News.

2016 Index

Dawn Bialy — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 14:50:37 +0000

BONES/JOINTS/PAIN

Lower your risk of falls and fractures (Jan., 3)

Rheumatoid arthritis: Ease pain and slow joint damage (Feb., 3)

Chronic fatigue syndrome can be identified and treated (Feb., 6)

Shingles: More common in women, but few have gotten the vaccine (June, 6)

Chronic lower back pain (July, 6)

3 foot conditions that can break your stride (Aug., 3)

Guidelines for osteoporosis medications call for a ‘drug holiday’ (Sept., 6)

The best strategies for coping with arthritis pain (Dec., 1)

BREAST CANCER

Poor dental health linked to higher breast cancer risk (Feb., 2)

Breast cancer screening recommendations updated (Mar., 2)

Screening for breast cancer: The latest expert advice (Apr., 3)

Hot topics in breast cancer detection and treatment (Oct., 1)

New guidelines for radiation therapy following mastectomy (Nov., 2)

CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH

Learning your cardiologist’s language (Feb., 1)

Controlling hypertension reduces your risks of heart attack, stroke, and death (Mar., 1)

Atrial fibrillation may be a bigger threat to women than to men (Apr., 1)

Gender differences in heart disease put women at a disadvantage (May, 1)

Triglycerides: The “other” lipid that affects your health (June, 3)

Cardiac catheterization provides valuable information about your heart (Aug., 5)

Strengthen your heart with exercise (Sept., 1)

Manage heart failure for a higher-quality, longer life (Oct., 5)

Peripheral artery disease signals a risk of other cardiovascular issues (Nov., 1)

DIABETES/METABOLIC DISORDERS

Women with diabetes at higher risk than men for vascular dementia (Feb., 2)

Identify prediabetes to prevent diabetes (Apr., 6)

Eating probiotic yogurt may help lipid, insulin levels (May, 2)

Medication improves blood glucose control in diabetes patients (Aug., 2)

EXERCISE/FITNESS

Do your hands hurt? Relieve pain and stiffness with exercises (Mar., 6)

Strong core muscles help prevent back pain (May, 3)

Strengthen your heart with exercise (Sept., 1)

Take proactive steps to prevent injuries and falls (Nov., 3)

Attend to posture and body mechanics to prevent Dowager’s hump (Nov., 5)

GASTROENTEROLOGY

Irritable bowel syndrome: A common cause of “tummy troubles” (Feb., 4)

Frequent heartburn warrants an evaluation (Mar., 4)

Ease heartburn and reflux without drugs (Mar., 5)

The best tools for managing inflammatory bowel disease (Nov., 4)

GYNECOLOGY/UROLOGY

Reduce the impact of urinary incontinence (Jan., 4)

Use caution when considering surgical mesh for prolapse (Apr., 4)

Cranberry supplements may cut incidence of UTIs (May, 2)

Hormone replacement therapy: (July, 5)

Tackling the issue of vaginal dryness (Oct., 4)

MEDICATIONS

Safe ways to keep medication costs down (Jan., 6)

Steroid medications: Consider risks as well as benefits (May, 4)

Use caution with opioid medications to prevent addiction (June, 4)

Deciding which anticoagulant is best for you (Nov., 6)

MIND/MOOD/MEMORY

Testing for Alzheimer’s disease: What to expect (Mar., 3)

The MIND diet: An easy eating pattern that may protect your brain (Apr., 5)

How to identify and handle a “nervous breakdown” (May, 5)

How to help your loved one deal with dementia (June, 1)

Tools you can use to compensate for memory impairment (Oct., 6)

Get help for anxiety to improve your quality of life (Dec., 3)

NUTRITION/DIET/WEIGHT

Eating for better bone health (Feb., 5)

Practical weight loss strategies (Apr., 1)

The MIND diet: An easy eating pattern that may protect your brain (Apr., 5)

Key elements of a heart-healthy diet (July, 1)

Revised nutrition label can help you cut back on added sugar (Aug., 1)

High-quality carbs can help with weight and blood glucose control (Sept., 5)

The best sources of calcium (Dec., 1)

RESPIRATORY/PULMONARY

Identify and successfully manage adult-onset asthma (Jan., 5)

New treatment options for lung cancer can save, extend lives (June, 5)

SLEEP

Getting enough sleep may help protect kidney health (Jan., 2)

Obstructive sleep apnea affects multiple systems and organs (Aug., 4)

SURGERY/SCREENING

The most common treatment for painful gallstones is surgery (May, 6)

Annual blood tests reveal a wealth of information (July, 4)

Having a hip replacement? Preparation is key (Sept., 4)

VISION/HEARING/SKIN CARE

Early detection of AMD helps prevent vision loss (Jan., 1)

Poor dental health linked to higher breast cancer risk (Feb., 2)

Improve your quality of life by addressing hearing loss (July, 3)

Get regular eye exams to prevent glaucoma (Sept., 3)

Reduce the risks associated with sensory loss (Oct., 3)

How to handle common nail conditions (Dec., 5)

The post 2016 Index appeared first on University Health News.

How to Identify and Handle a “Nervous Breakdown”

Dawn Bialy — Fri, 13 May 2016 15:57:28 +0000

The term “nervous breakdown” is commonly used to refer to an inability to function normally; it’s often described as a feeling of being unable to cope with life’s demands. Some healthcare professionals refer to it as a mental health crisis.

A woman experiencing a nervous breakdown may be unable to work or meet other responsibilities she has, such as caring for children or other family members or engaging in domestic duties such as shopping, cooking, and cleaning.

Common Signs and Symptoms

People who describe how they feel when having a nervous breakdown or mental health crisis often mention one or more of these symptoms:

Feeling hopeless or helpless
Change in appetite and eating habits
Significant weight gain or weight loss
Change in sleep patterns (insomnia, inability to stay asleep, sleeping for many hours but feeling fatigued)
Nausea and/or vomiting
Withdrawal from family and friends
Panic attacks (chest pain, difficulty breathing, racing heartbeat).

Sometimes, a medical condition or substance abuse issue can further complicate the severity of a mental health crisis.

What Causes a Nervous Breakdown?

Sometimes, conditions such as anxiety or depression can cause a crisis if they are untreated. In addition, these conditions may become more severe when a highly stressful event occurs.

“If you recognize these symptoms in yourself or someone you know, it is important to inform your physician,” emphasizes Dr. Evans.

Treatment Options

Dr. Evans says that effective treatments for mental and emotional problems include medication and cognitive behavioral therapy, and there are also several stress management techniques that can be helpful.

If you are diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety, antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications may be prescribed. Psychotherapy (also called counseling) involves meeting with a mental health professional, such as a psychologist, and solving problems by exploring your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

The post How to Identify and Handle a “Nervous Breakdown” appeared first on University Health News.