Emotions are at the heart of what it is to be human. Emotions connect us to every object, person, and event we have come across in our lives. The lack of emotion would mean that we would not be able to develop relationships and connect with others or have sympathy or empathy. 

As vital as emotions are to everybody, they can also sometimes take us down a path that might be destructive and unhealthy. This may eventually lead to a mental and emotional breakdown.

What is a mental and emotional breakdown?

A mental and emotional breakdown refers to overwhelming, severe emotional and mental distress. Symptoms range from uncontrollable weeping and crying to rage. An individual may sometimes experience such symptoms for an extended season, leading to the development of severe anxiety and depression, which might cause extreme mood swings.

A mental and emotional breakdown is often a severe emotional state that can be easily brushed off or overlooked because of the wide range of symptoms. For the individual experiencing the breakdown, it is not an enjoyable journey either, as many feel a great deal of guilt and regret over the lack of control over their outbursts or their mental and emotional state. 

Such breakdowns can happen anywhere, from home to public spaces or work. Different individuals may experience different trigger points. Hence, what triggers an individual may not trigger another. However, some situations tend to be common triggers for a more severe emotional and mental state, such as:

• Being overwhelmed by work at home or office: Some individuals describe what they felt at the point of their breakdown as if they were drowning.

• Drastic life changes: Humans are creatures of habits and enjoy routine and certainty in life. When extreme changes happen, and we are unable to deal with them physically, emotionally, and psychologically, we panic.

How does seeking help before a breakdown happens help?

Our mental health is every bit as crucial as our physical health. Just as how doctors always advise us to ensure regular health check-ups, we, too, can ensure a healthy mental and emotional state by going for therapy.

One way to help you to avoid such breakdowns is psychotherapy, a therapy method designed to help you develop a better understanding of your emotional and mental state through talking with your therapist. Not only that, but you also develop emotional and mental handling skills, such as building mastery.

Seeking help before a breakdown happens also helps, especially:

• To understand your struggles and build healthier managing mechanisms in the early stages of your mental struggles.

• To discover your triggers and how you respond to them when things are not as complicated yet.

• To develop techniques and skills that will help you deal with more significant challenges in the future.

Conclusion

Let us not wait till we really experience a breakdown before seeking help. Seeking help does not mean you are weak. In fact, it actually shows a great deal of strength it takes a great deal of courage to admit that you need help, no matter how minor the issue is.

Hence, there are so many initiatives that are available for safe spaces for individuals to seek professional mental and emotional help, such as EAP counselling services, which provide employees access to counselling services for work-related or personal issues that affect their emotional and mental state as well as work performances.

Fortunately, at Annabelle Psychology, you may find such services on top of other therapy services for individuals and families. You may find out more by visiting us at https://www.annabellepsychology.com/.