On the verge of a nervous breakdown-what do I do?

tinabelcher99

I've sort of been in denial for years about my poor mental health. I've always been told I'm just a worrier and "sure what can ya do, you just suffer from the nerves"...but my "nerves" are much much worse than most people's. I'm not kidding when I say 80% of my waking life is spent actively worrying. I can't relax ever. I can barely enjoy anything. I'm too consumed with my own thoughts to enjoy socialising. I'm too consumed to read a book or have a hobby or even commit to a TV show. It's time I faced the music.

Recently I've felt burnt out. Guess I was in danger of it last summer. I'm in a great situation but I'm falling apart somehow. I got a great undergrad. I worked so hard and only finished last May and probably should've taken a year out. I'm so done with college. Yet I'm doing a masters that's "good" for my career but I don't think I want said career anymore and I'm probably failing. I try hard to do the work but I just have zero energy. I can't focus on anything and I used to be able to write 1500 words in a day. I've submitted 2 things 5 days late and barely cared?!? I kind of hate myself for it. This isn't me. I don't have energy for my friends anymore. I barely see them and want to be left alone. I love my family dearly, but I'm so irritated by them. I've become self centred and I'm also absolutely ruining a lovely relationship that only started 3 months ago.

I have no goals anymore and its alk day by day and aimless.The littlest things like a sock on the floor gets left there for 4 days because I don't have it in me to pick it up. Cooking is too much effort so I've lost weight and beyond that, food seems flavourless to me now.And my sleep is disturbed. I only sleep 3 or 4 hours a night. Last night I didn't sleep at all, litreally finished work at 8pm and was in again at 7am. My heart was racing too much to dose off. I want to give up college and my job and hide away in my room for a long time. Ineed help.

But what do I do? I wouldn't know the first thing about getting help.

Dial Hard

First port of call is your GP to see if an anti-depressant could help and then counselling in tandem with that. So many people do one or the other but I think a two-pronged approach is really important.

Donald Trump

You need to also be able to take a break and do some exercise. Go for a walk or run. You probably think that you are too busy, but plenty of times you get zero done in that half hour that you "save" by not going for that walk/run whereas if you had gone, you'd be back with a clear head and be able to get a bit of your work done.

The thing about courses etc. is just getting them in the bag. You do it, get the bit of paper, and then you have it and nobody can take it from you. You will be halfway though what you are doing now most likely.

billyhead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120054109#Comment_120054109

Anti depressants could make you worse. There a GPs quick fix. I suggest getting counseling first.

Hannibal_Smith

Go to your GP and start from there. They can help you work out where to go from there.

tinabelcher99

Silly question probably but I can surely register for 2 different GPs? I rarely go back to where I'm from so it only makes sense to try another GP?

Count Dracula

Anti depressants will only zone you out. >>mod snip<< I don't really think they are a suitable remedy for anyones' anxiety? They can crutch you short term over a life crisis, but getting stuck into those yokes on the whim of some doctor may not be a suitable solution.

Worry is a very common part of human life. We all have worries and stresses. It is how you deal with your worries that matters. If your life appears in turmoil maybe ask a friend how they see your existence. I have no doubt that they will make an effort to absolve your fears and anxieties which are concerning you. In most cases your worries are developed from within, you have created your own standard of comfortable living and have placed these benchmarks around it. You need to reassess what parts of your life are causing you the most stress and tackle them accordingly.

Concentrate on your biggest fears. These are the ones that are causing you to be worried in the first place. Once you have managed to establish what you are afraid of you will finally be able to face those fears. Don't spend your life living in fear, it is not designed to frustrate or subjugate you. Your life is and should be about how you live it and face up to its challenges, not how you live in fear of them.

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Warning applied for breach of charter - you were already asked today to post mature constructive advice. This is not the thread for 'jokes'

Cork Lass

Hi op and well done - you've actually taken a huge step in coming on here and acknowledging that you need help. Please know that you are not alone in this, many many people are in the same boat. I would advise a visit to your GP as soon as possible and ask for a referral to a counsellor that can help you to break things down into more manageable proportions. Half of the country are probably seeing counsellors or have done at some stage. I needed help last year and was referred to one via my work and it was a great success for me - talking things through certainly helped me. Like others I would be reluctant to opt for anti depressants as the first port of call but none of us are qualified to make any diagnosis for you so definitely see a doctor as soon as you can. Good luck, I hope all works out well for you.

the 12 th man

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120054149#Comment_120054149

Most if not all GP's will refer you to a Councillor before attempting the medical route,the Doc will be very familiar with the whole situation so don't feel that you are alone in this situation.

They will also and more importantly give you the numbers for Councillor(s) that specialise in this.

TheadoreT

You need to start cooking healthy food again. It might be effort at first but it's essential. Do you exercise much? People don't like being so reductive with issue like this but the reality is they're the biggest influence on maintaining a healthy mindset.

If low energy is an issue try getting into ketosis, it's a big stress reducer and your mind will be far clearer when your body is burning body fat instead of sugar to function.

And starting lifting things, will build your confidence and you'll sleep better.

LilacNails

Hi op,

Sounds as though u are stuck in a horrible rut. Me and many others are familiar with these kind of feelings and have been there.

I want u to know first its a really positive thing that ur aware of whats happening and going on for u. I know this doesnt sound like a big deal, I struggle at times to see the benefit of that awareness but its the key to open the door to learning how to cope and look after yourself.

As others have said, first port of call would be your gp. Do u have any kind if a relationship with them ? Do u think they would understand and point u in the right direction for help?

Ur recognising, for a long time u haven't prioritised ur mental health. Good. How about starting with small steps to help u become grounded, less focused on what u cannot control and something to distract/ease u when u become highly irritated/distressed? Finding a good therapist who u can connect with will help so much with them.

I was wide awake until 6am this morning. My eyes are like golfballs. My anxiety and stress levels were at an all time high. I cried uncontrollably, at least 4 times throughout the night...about life and how far behind I feel to every person I know and on my social media. Right now, I'm taking in small things that are making me greatful and helping me remain grounded and present. The morning sun, singing birds my cup of tea and brown bread! Im choosing to because its up to me to try make my day a lil bit easier. Iv taken Instagram and facebook off my phone, hopfully stay off them for a few days. Theres gonna be more of those kinda of nights again but its all about taking the highs with the lows. Process and experience those horrible feelings, then , come back , ask yourself what do u need that u can give urself in this moment and do it. It could be something tiny like going outside for fresh air or even ringing a helpline if u dont have anyone to talk to.

Ur not alone, I promise. This time of year highlights all what we thing isnt good enough about ourselves nd our lives.

Its ok. Ur gonna be ok. Just work for it. If ur gonna have a breakdown, thats ok too. Look up pj gallagher on the blindboy podcast or his Instagram hes not long out of hospital for his mental health and its a breath of fresh air. Reality is theres good and bad times in life. Its just not normalised enough in our society today.

I hope uv found some comfort with these replies here. Take it easy. One step and day at time. Ur gonna be ok again.

banie01

1st off, well done on recognising you are having a problem and being open to getting help. The GP is your 1st port of call. That's not to say you can't also seek help elsewhere while waiting on him. If you are working, does your job offer an Employee Assistance Program? That can be a very useful way to get some counselling sessions underway quickly and without cost.

NewClareman

I feel for you and wish you well. Like others have said, the first thing is that you recognise you need help. Many of us have been there and nowadays it's considered a sign of strength to look after your mental health.

I would definitely recommend finding a local GP, if at all possible. I know people in Aware and have heard good things about them. You might also consider ringing them:

Freephone

1800 80 48 48

Available Monday to Sunday 

10am - 10pm.

See more about aware here:https://www.aware.ie/support/

Jafin

Just want to echo what many others have said and recommend either going to a GP or organising some counselling/therapy for yourself. I went to therapy earlier this year (I bypassed the GP, just wanted to see if therapy would work for me) and it helped immensely with my own anxiety and some other stuff I was going through. Conversely one of my friends suffers from anxiety too but she took the opposite route to me and went to her GP and got prescribed medication, which has done wonders for her.

Some people require one or the other, some people require both. There is no one size fits all solution to this kind of stuff. Going to the GP first though may be the better option and they can let you know what they think the best option to start you off on is.

Best of luck.

Wanderer78

do you have access to third level counselling services, ive found them to be extremely good in the past?

tinabelcher99

Hi guys, thank you so much for all the responses.

I went to the doctors a few days after this post and was diagnosed with depression and a possible anxiety disorder. I was prescribed an SSRI. I have a counselling session later this week. I'm going to have a word with my college course coordinator later this week.

Jafin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120089013#Comment_120089013

Really happy to hear that you were able to get some help! I hope everything works out for you and you start feeling better in the next few weeks when the SSRIs start kicking in.

NoviGlitzko

Exercise. You get into a habit of regular exercise and 100% your mood will change for the better. Just up to you to find what works best for you. I love the cross trainer, others like running/walking, cycling etc. Just make sure you're working up some sort of a sweat. You'll feel great.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120089013#Comment_120089013

Hi Tina. Well done on taking the first step.

I started taking SSRI last year and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.

Not sure if you have started taking them,

but the first few days/weeks can be hard with some side effects. Maybe your GP discussed this.

a lot of people stop taking them after a couple of weeks due to side effects or “they don’t work”.

They take weeks to “start working”, and the side effects for myself were temporary, so stick with them as per your GP’s advice.

good luck

Cork Lass

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120089013#Comment_120089013

Great to hear that, even your post sounds more upbeat. I hope everything works out well for you.

148multi

That's good to hear, it might be a good idea to get your bloods checked to make sure that there's nothing draining your energy.

Padre_Pio

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120089013#Comment_120089013

Great stuff! Taking a break from it all is a positive step, then slowly getting back into a healthy routine.

Purple Mountain

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120089234#Comment_120089234

Definitely outdoor exercise. Start off gently, walking or cycling.

The fresh air and endorphins really help.

evolvingtipperary101

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058277765/on-the-verge-of-a-nervous-breakdown-what-do-i-do

You're doing the right thing and have the right inclinations. Go to your GP. You will get professional help through this route. This is a normal situation, in that happens to so many people. Ignore people telling you to run, exercise and go back to a bit of work. Go to your GP. Just take of yourself. Go to any GP you want. There might be an on campus GP or psychologist who can help. They should have some professional services for their students.