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Recovery from a Nervous Breakdown or Mental Illness

by itchyfish

If you have suffered a nervous breakdown, you should immediately discuss your concerns with a medical professional, if you haven’t already. If you are not sure, you may want to read my prior article What is a Nervous Breakdown? (and what it was for me) to compare symptoms.

A nervous breakdown is an acute psychiatric collapse, even though you may suffer physical symptoms.

Therefore, it is best to seek professional psychiatric help as well as discuss your condition with your regular doctor. Most likely you will be placed on medication, such as antidepressants or other psychiatric medications. You may need to seek counseling or some other therapy, as well as alternative therapies like aromatherapy, acupuncture, etc.,

The first step of recovery is acceptance. Do not beat yourself up. It is OK to have a breakdown. It does not have to be a life sentence and you can recover. Mental illness can have a stigma and many individuals are too ashamed to admit they have suffered a nervous breakdown. Ironically, the best thing you can do is be honest and open about your emotions. Accept that this has happened to you and move on to the next step of recovery.

You will have to evaluate your life. You may need to eliminate any ‘triggers’ or people and events that may have contributed to your nervous breakdown. With the assistance of a therapist, you can identify what happened and how to prevent it from happening again. You may have to switch jobs, lifestyle and/or relationships.

It can be a long path back to recovery. You must be patient with yourself. The average speed of recovery varies, depending on the individual. If a person has a history of significant trauma, such as physical, sexual or emotional abuse, typically they will take longer to recover, also if they suffer from any mental illness such as depression, anxiety or bipolar. Recovery time also depends on when the first signs of the nervous breakdown occurred and how they were dealt with, according to www.buzzle.com/articles/nervous-breakdown-recovery. Some people can recover for a large extent; but take longer to fully recover as they may become vulnerable to depression.

Be kind to yourself emotionally. Self love and nurturing are needed to heal. Make sure you have a support system. Reach out to loved ones and your community. Remember the vulnerability you feel is like an inner child who doesn’t understand and needs to be assured.

Take the time you need to get yourself better. Acceptance, patience and self love all play a part in your recovery. Remember that your vulnerability is not a weakness. Be open and honest to yourself and you just may turn your breakdown into a breakthrough; discovering the true self that lies within.

Know that you are not alone. Check out this encouraging article about happy survivors www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and families/features/nervous-breakdown-happy-survivors-1022919.html.

“Your suffering is the breaking of the shell that encloses you” Kahlil Gibran

www.buzzle.com
www.independent.co.uk

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  • Recovery Inc. - A True Attempt at Defeating Mental Illness
  • What is a Nervous Breakdown? (and What it was for Me)
  • What is a Nervous Breakdown?
  • American Chess Champions and Mental Illness
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