Why are nervous breakdowns dangerous? Nervous disorders: causes, symptoms and therapy. Non-drug ways to deal with a nervous breakdown

Human existence is unthinkable without nervous tension. The resulting excitement motivates to overcome difficulties, achieve goals, self-improvement and development. Moderate, occasional and manageable stress helps maintain a zest for life and provides a chance to reveal hidden talents. However, such gifts of fate that provoke nervous tension should be in moderation.
Just as an unbearable physical burden can deprive us of strength and cause health problems, chronic overstimulation of the psyche can provoke an imbalance in the functioning of the body's systems. One of the common problems of our contemporaries is a nervous breakdown, which deprives us of our usual activity and rewards us with negative experiences.

Although a nervous breakdown is not recognized as an independent psycho-emotional disorder, this condition has a clear severe symptoms. At its core, a nervous disorder is an acute reactive stage, informing about the development of some abnormal process in the body. A nervous breakdown is the first stage at which the harmonious interaction in the functioning of organs and systems is disrupted. This is a kind of indicator that a person’s nervous system is exhausted, and the psyche is performing functions with all its might.

A nervous breakdown is a strong sign indicating that:

  • depression;
  • anxiety-phobic disorder;
  • neurosis;
  • obsessive-compulsive disorder;
  • Neurasthenia.

  • Although a nervous disorder rewards the subject with unpleasant and painful sensations, its occurrence performs positive protective functions for the body. In this way, an overly stressed nervous system tries to throw off an unbearable burden, urging a person to take a break, rest, and reconsider his lifestyle.

    Causes
    Factors that initiate the development of a reactive state nervous system- diverse. In this case, it does not matter how serious, by objective standards, the traumatic situation was. The leading role in the development of a crisis is played by the subject’s interpretation of the event: if he believes that a negative phenomenon is significant, the body reacts to this with dysfunction.

    The causes of a nervous disorder can be minor but chronic stressors or sudden intense stress. Among the common factors that create the basis for the start of an imbalance in the body are the following circumstances:

  • global changes in personal life subject that arose unexpectedly, for example: the death of a spouse;
  • long-term unfavorable atmosphere in the family, for example: husband’s alcoholism;
  • negative climate in the workforce, excessively difficult work schedule;
  • deterioration of financial situation, for example: significant financial difficulties due to job loss;
  • pathologies of the nervous and endocrine systems of organic origin;
  • congenital defects of the central nervous system;
  • disruptions in neurotransmitter metabolism;
  • lack of nutrients due to a poor diet;
  • negative impact of viral or bacterial infection, affecting the structures of the nervous system;
  • improper daily routine, lack of rest;
  • Availability bad habits: drug addiction, alcoholism;
  • forced social isolation.

  • The risk of experiencing nervous exhaustion is present in persons with a special personal constitution, when the following traits have become accentuated in a person’s character:
  • anxiety;
  • suspiciousness, vulnerability;
  • uncompromisingness, intolerance to the opinions of others;
  • selfishness, power;
  • excessive criticism and demands on oneself;
  • excessive responsibility, diligence;
  • the desire to do everything perfectly.

  • Signs
    Symptoms of a nervous disorder can be divided into three large groups:
  • mental and psychological;
  • physical;
  • behavioral.

  • For most people, the first signs of a nervous breakdown appear in the form of changes in psycho-emotional status. A balanced person becomes an irritable person, reacting intensely to unimportant stimuli. Unusual sounds, the slightest noise, bright light deprives the subject of balance.
    He is distinguished by fussiness, impatience, and inconsistency of actions. His performance deteriorates due to the fact that he cannot concentrate on doing one thing. Unpleasant signs of nervous stress: absent-mindedness, “lapses” in memory, that is, the individual simply cannot remember what he intended to do, in what sequence he planned to do the work. A person with a nervous disorder gets tired very quickly, and a night's rest does not give a surge of strength.

    New character traits appear: indecision, low self-esteem. A person becomes suspicious, vulnerable and touchy. He is fixated on his experiences, overcome by irrational anxiety and anticipation of imminent troubles.
    A person with a nervous breakdown is characterized by illogical attacks of tearfulness that resemble a hysterical attack. Most often, a person’s mood is sad and depressed, but periodically there are moments of “enlightenment” when a person’s mood stabilizes. emotional background.
    As the disorder worsens, the subject may develop obsessive ideas of his own uselessness, worthlessness, and guilt. For some people, ideas about their own sinlessness, invincibility, and greatness become dominant thoughts.

    The psycho-emotional signs of a nervous breakdown are gradually joined by symptoms felt at the somatic and vegetative level. Patients make complaints, including:

  • irresistible headache pressing, squeezing nature;
  • discomfort and painful sensations in the region of the heart;
  • intense dizziness;
  • the appearance of “double vision”, “flying spots” before the eyes;
  • changes in blood pressure;
  • increased heart rate;
  • problems in the functioning of the digestive tract;
  • frequent urge to urinate;
  • profuse sweating.

  • Among the mental and behavioral manifestations of a nervous breakdown, the leading role is given to a change in a person’s eating habits, most often: a complete lack of appetite. The duration and quality of sleep undergoes changes. The person complains of persistent insomnia, frequent awakenings at night, getting up too early, and dreams with frightening content.
    The appearance of hypochondriacal inclusions can be determined in the form of an individual’s excessive concern for his own health, his belief in the presence of some difficult to diagnose and incurable illness. Another sign of a nervous breakdown is a change in sexual behavior. The person's interest in opposite sex, the need for intimate relationships disappears. Men find problems with potency, women lose the ability to achieve orgasm.
    A noticeable behavioral symptom of a nervous breakdown is the person’s inability to motivate himself to perform. As a result, a person cannot fulfill his professional responsibilities, which negatively affects his career.
    A nervous breakdown has an extremely negative effect on the subject’s interaction in society. A person loses the ability to control his emotions, quickly loses self-control, and demonstrates anger and aggressiveness.

    Treatment methods
    A program on how to overcome a nervous breakdown is drawn up by a doctor for each patient individually, depending on the severity of his condition and the dominant symptoms. In most cases, the patient is recommended to use the possibilities of psychotherapeutic techniques, including hypnosis. In some patients, a nervous breakdown requires medication. From the pharmaceutical industry they use:

  • antidepressants;
  • anxial analysts;
  • mood stabilizers;
  • nootropics;
  • sedatives of plant origin;
  • vitamin and mineral complexes.

  • What to do when a nervous breakdown reaches its climax? We suggest that you familiarize yourself with the recommendations of psychologists who will help you get rid of the painful symptoms of the disorder and will allow you to prevent the development of a crisis in the future.

    Tip 1
    If nervous tension goes off scale, it is urgent to calm passions. We use deep breathing techniques: take ten slow breaths and the same number of sharp exhalations. We use a proven relaxation method: we strongly strain our muscles, hold the tension for a few seconds and completely relax.

    Tip 2
    A companion to a nervous breakdown is anger, rage, aggression. We urgently need to free ourselves from such negative feelings. The easiest way is energetic exercise stress. This could be a long-distance run or swim, fitness classes or dancing. If this is not possible at home, you can desperately beat the pillows.

    Tip 3
    Instant accessible remedy to cool the dust - cold water. As soon as you feel a surge of hostility, drink a glass of chilled liquid, then take a shower with ice water.

    Tip 4
    As soon as we feel that an outburst of indignation is imminent, our task is to switch attention from internal experiences to external events. We choose some bright and extraordinary events, for example: attending a match of your favorite football team, a karaoke competition, watching a new blockbuster.

    Tip 5
    IN evening hours When we are plagued by anxious thoughts, we make sure to arrange a relaxing procedure: immerse ourselves in a warm bath, adding a few drops of lavender oil or pine extract to the water.

    Tip 6
    Without what is it impossible to overcome a nervous breakdown? Without identifying the true culprits of psycho-emotional stress. We should carefully analyze our own experiences. Establish a chain: cause - effect. If you cannot independently determine the factors that provoked a nervous disorder, you should seek help from a professional psychologist.

    Tip 7
    After we have managed to identify the instigators of mental discord, we should “reboot” our brain, replacing the destructive components of thinking functional elements. We must consciously relive the traumatic event in our thoughts. However, now we should not act as the main characters, but rather be outside observers. A look from the outside will allow you to interpret the drama that happened differently and reduce the relevance of the problem.

    Tip 8
    Writing down your worries on a piece of paper can help reduce the significance of stressful circumstances. Divide the page into three columns. In the first column we try to present the tragedy as honestly as possible. In the second column we write down our feelings and consequences of the disaster.
    The third column is reserved for indicating the emotions and behavior of the “ideal person”. That is, we describe how, in our opinion, our perfect hero acted in such a stressful situation: what he would feel, what he would say, how he would act. Then we make assumptions about what the outcome of such behavior would be. After this, we try to act like our ideal: daily practice of new behavior will change our worldview.

    Tip 9
    Accepts as an axiom: any life event has some purpose. Even the most terrible disaster brings some gains. At first, trying to admit such a fact is desperate. internal resistance. Then divine insight comes, and you begin to understand that the tragedy was not so catastrophic. The drama allowed me to discover some new qualities in myself, stimulated me to take some actions, and motivated me to acquire other values.

    Tip 10
    If the benefit from the misadventure cannot be discovered, we recognize the completed drama as a test sent from above. We understand that we cannot predict or change events destined by fate. It is in our power to change our attitude towards this phenomenon, to learn a lesson, to develop such qualities in ourselves that in the future we will bypass the evil irony of fate. The main rule: do not blame or reproach yourself, but find in yourself such character traits that will allow you to crawl out of the swamp with your head held high.

    Tip 11
    How to get rid of a nervous breakdown? It is necessary to reduce the severity of your experiences. To do this, we become cartoonists: we draw our resentment, anger, hatred, despair and transform them into funny ones in the picture. funny characters. Let our grief become a little roaring baby in the picture, next to which there is a brave, cheerful boy. Next to the evil, indignant old woman we place a kind, noble old man. In this way, we will clearly prove to ourselves that grief always comes next to happiness. And it is in our power to change our perception of reality.

    Tip 12
    If we discover symptoms of nervous stress, we should definitely have a heart-to-heart talk with someone we trust. Our silence, isolation, and solitude will only worsen our well-being and cause depression. This does not mean that we should surround ourselves with a crowd of friends and be in public 24 hours a day. However, a friendly conversation in a cozy cafe will save our inner world from worries. Even if it seems to us that we have no energy at all to meet with friends, we need to overcome ourselves and set aside at least an hour for communication.

    Tip 13
    If severe nervous breakdowns have already occurred in the past, which you could not cope with on your own, at the first signs of a crisis, it is better to consult a psychologist or psychotherapist. The doctor will select the best scheme to correct the problem situation and suggest the most effective ways to get rid of the disorder.

    Tip 14
    Anyone who is predisposed to disruptions in the functioning of the nervous system needs to reconsider their diet, including foods with essential vitamins and minerals. For most of us, high cortisol levels, which are typical during stress, cause poor appetite. In turn, poor nutrition further impairs the body's functioning, exacerbating stress reactions.

    Tip 15
    The most important condition for preventing nervous stress: avoid overload. Learn to relax and fully rest. Pay attention in a timely manner to the deterioration of your psycho-emotional state and eliminate problems that lead to nervous tension. One useful habit to adopt is to say “no” to requests that unsettle us. Clearly define the limits of your capabilities and deliberately not cross the line that deprives you of moral stability.

    Final advice
    A nervous breakdown occurs suddenly, but this condition does not last forever. We remember: every person can prevent a nervous disorder and is able to cope with its unpleasant symptoms. Believing in yourself and focused work works wonders.

    Author of the article: Maria Barnikova (psychiatrist)

    Breakdown

    20.11.2015

    Maria Barnikova

    A nervous breakdown is a clear indicator indicating serious problems in the functioning and interaction of body systems.

    Moderate, periodically occurring emotional stress is an important component of human life, motivating active activity and stimulating new achievements. Low-intensity and tamed, they allow you to maintain interest in life and encourage self-knowledge. Just as excessive and unbearable physical activity can cause muscle injuries, chronic and intense mental stress can cause serious Negative consequences for the state of all systems. One of the most common mental health problems is the curse of modern times: a nervous breakdown.

    Breakdown– a pronounced indicator indicating serious problems in the functioning and interaction of body systems. A nervous breakdown is not a static phenomenon over time, but acts as an indicator of an acute initial phase in a developing pathological process in the sphere of a person’s mental life. A nervous breakdown informs about the likelihood of an approach:

    • psychogenic reversible states – ;

    The result of such an acute crisis is the individual’s persistent conviction that he cannot control and manage his emotions, feelings, and behavior. During a nervous breakdown, a person is at the mercy of the ideas of his own worthlessness that have absorbed his thinking, which the person cannot resist by force of will.

    Although a nervous breakdown is a specific reactive state that is often recorded in patients in clinical settings, the term does not have a precise scientific definition in official diagnostic classifications DSM-IV And ICD-10. Most doctors make an assumption about the fact of a nervous breakdown in a patient based on the subjective symptoms that the patient describes, confirmed by the immediate environment if the influence of negative external stimuli is obvious. Special situations have been described when a person’s history of a nervous breakdown appeared after the person had lost the ability to fully function in society.

    Despite the painful symptoms that appear, a nervous breakdown is a kind of positive mechanism used by the body for protection. A nervous breakdown is a specific lever, by using which the body manages to relieve the accumulated exorbitant burden of fatigue and tension. A nervous breakdown is similar in nature to other protective tools of the body, for example: increased lacrimation, the appearance of a cough, an increase in temperature in response to exposure to harmful factors.

    Causes of a nervous breakdown

    The factors that led to an acute crisis can be absolutely any events that occurred in a person’s life, which he interprets as significant phenomena. The causes of a nervous breakdown are both large-scale, sudden stress that is intense in its impact, and insignificant, chronically ongoing stressful situations.

    According to research conducted by the American Association mental health, The most common causes of nervous breakdowns are:

    • sudden problems in a person’s personal life (divorce or breakdown of relations between spouses, separation from a beloved partner or his betrayal);
    • prolonged exposure to an unfavorable climate in the family (quarrels, difficulties in raising children, forced separation of spouses, long-term illness of a close relative);
    • uncomfortable working or training conditions (unfriendly atmosphere in the team, excessive or incomprehensible requirements, difficult schedule);
    • financial difficulties ( low level income, job loss, large loan obligations, sudden loss of personal property).

    The causes of a nervous breakdown may be related to congenital characteristics or be the result of a person’s unhealthy lifestyle. Among these factors:

    • genetic predisposition to emotional disorders;
    • organic diseases of the central nervous system and thyroid gland;
    • deficiency or disruptions in the metabolism of neurotransmitters;
    • lack of vitamins, microelements, amino acids;
    • exposure to viruses and infections, in particular those affecting the brain;
    • insufficient rest, disruption of sleep-wake patterns;
    • alcohol abuse, intake narcotic substances, self-medication with psychotropic drugs;
    • personality traits, total parental control, social isolation, incorrect mechanisms for responding to events.

    It has been established that people with certain accentuated personality traits are predisposed to the development of psychogenic disorders and nervous breakdowns, such as:

    • impressionability, vulnerability, suspiciousness;
    • authority, intolerance, egocentrism, inability to take into account the wishes of others;
    • straightforwardness, uncompromisingness;
    • excessive punctuality, conscientiousness, responsibility.

    Women are more prone to nervous breakdowns, since their emotional sphere is more intense, dynamic and unstable. Often a nervous breakdown is the result of unresolved internal conflicts: dissatisfaction of a person’s needs, discrepancy between what is desired and what is actually there, and the opposite of motives.

    Symptoms of a nervous breakdown

    Every person needs to know the symptoms of a crisis in order to take timely, comprehensive measures that can prevent the worsening of a psychogenic disorder. Symptoms of a nervous breakdown occur at three levels: physical (somatic and autonomic), mental (emotional and cognitive), and behavioral. As a rule, the disorder debuts with changes in the emotional sphere.

    Mental symptoms

    • increased excitability, severe irritability;
    • intense reactions to a minor stimulus;
    • dissatisfaction and irritation from the slightest noise;
    • sensitivity to bright light;
    • decreased performance due to absent-mindedness, lack of composure, and inability to concentrate on the actions being performed;
    • fatigue and feeling of exhaustion;
    • impatience and fussiness;
    • indecision;
    • touchiness, vulnerability, suspiciousness;
    • feeling of restlessness and anxiety;
    • fixation on experiences;
    • mood instability;
    • tearfulness up to hysterical fits;
    • underestimation or overestimation of self-esteem;
    • contradictory life values.

    In difficult situations, symptoms are intensified by ideas of guilt and one’s own worthlessness, or, conversely, paranoid thoughts of greatness and invincibility appear.

    Physical symptoms

    • frequent headaches, especially of a compressive nature (“neurasthenic helmet”) or hallucinatory (psychalgia);
    • discomfort in the chest and abdomen;
    • dizziness, “floaters before the eyes” arising from surges in blood pressure;
    • vestibular disorders;
    • change in eating habits (lack of appetite or overeating);
    • persistent sleep disturbances (difficulty falling asleep, waking up early, frequent awakenings at night, nightmares);
    • excessive concern for health conditions, similar to hypochondria;
    • autonomic failures (increased sweating, heart rhythm disturbances, blood pressure fluctuations, disturbance digestive organs, frequent urge to urinate);
    • decreased libido and deterioration of potency in men;
    • failures in menstrual cycle among women.

    Behavioral symptoms

    During a nervous breakdown, a person is unable to mobilize himself to perform activities, which is why he is forced to give up his usual responsibilities. When communicating, he easily loses his composure and cannot contain his emotions, shouting at his interlocutors, using harsh insults. Due to the lack of active attention, an individual may turn around and leave without explaining his behavior to others, which is why he seems very strange. Some people, during a nervous breakdown, are especially cynicistic, aggressive, and take out their anger on loved ones. There is also a possibility of increased dependence on alcoholic beverages (alcoholic depression) and the risk of starting to take narcotic drugs.

    Nervous breakdown: treatment

    Treatment for a nervous breakdown is chosen based on an analysis of the specific factors that provoked the crisis, as well as based on which symptoms dominate the patient.

    • Step 1. If the intensity of passions has reached its climax, it is necessary to urgently relieve mental stress. To overcome a nervous breakdown, relaxation techniques will help, the essence of which is to achieve a reduction in emotional intensity by eliminating muscle spasms. To do this, psychologists recommend trying to strain all skeletal muscles simultaneously or sequentially as much as possible. After severe tension, muscular and then mental relaxation will certainly occur.
    • Step 2. If you experience a nervous breakdown, you should definitely free yourself from aggression and release negative energy. This can be done by having a “battle” with a punching bag or by running for several kilometers. Any intense physical activity can cool down your ardor.
    • Step 3. Dousing yourself with ice water can instantly sober you up from negative thoughts. Those who do not dare to use such an extreme measure can take a cool shower or wash their face with cold water.
    • Step 4. To relieve the symptoms of panic attacks, you need to resort to breathing exercises, performing them in a well-ventilated area. You can close your eyes and slowly count to one hundred.
    • Step 5. Warm baths with aromatic oils or pine extract will help achieve relaxation. As a general strengthening remedy, it is recommended to undergo a course of therapeutic massage.
    • Step 6. When you feel the peak moment approaching, you should switch your attention to some significant circumstances that bring thrills. For example: watch the latest news, play paintball, attend a concert of your favorite band.
    • Step 7 Remember that you cannot accumulate destructive emotions in your soul: resentment, anger, rage, jealousy. It is necessary to study your feelings, change negative experiences to positive emotions. On initial stage it will be useful to engage in self-knowledge and adjustment of thinking under the guidance of experienced psychologist. A nervous breakdown can be overcome with the help of hypnosis. Hypnotherapy sessions can completely “reboot” the brain, after which a person seems to be reborn.
    • Step 8 In order not to aggravate negative experiences, the source of such feelings should be eliminated or minimized: avoid contact with unpleasant people unnecessarily, get rid of objects that irritate, and do not engage in activities that do not bring joy.
    • Step 9 If an unpleasant event occurs, you should not try to forget it: you need to rethink its meaning. You can do this by talking openly about your worries with a close friend or psychoanalyst.
    • Step 10 Try to depict your emotions on a piece of paper: draw your anxieties, grievances, anger. After which it is necessary to supplement the picture with positive images of joy, happiness, kindness.

    In some situations, a nervous breakdown requires the use of medication. Depending on what symptoms bother a person, the doctor prescribes treatment with drugs from the following groups: antidepressants, tranquilizers, nootropics, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, vitamins.

    Council of psychologists: Don’t bring yourself to nervous breakdowns, learn to live in harmony with yourself and the world around you.

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    I have a friend. A beautiful, sweet girl, but very emotional and sensitive. At the slightest conflict at work, he bursts into tears, runs away from the office, and curses everyone and everything. One day she deleted her page on social networks and soon started a new one. “I had a psychosis then,” she explained. “Everything got to me. Everyone needs something, they teach how to live and so on. They don’t have enough nerves anymore.”

    After this story I thought about it. A person makes psychiatric diagnoses for himself, and even independently recovers from them in such a short period. It doesn't happen that way. Let's figure it out.

    What is the difference between psychosis and a nervous breakdown?

    The terms “psychosis” and “nervous breakdown/affective reaction” are often confused.

    We often hear: “I went crazy,” “I’m going crazy,” which means that the person couldn’t restrain himself. In fact, we are talking about a sudden outburst of anger hysteria, which is typical for mentally healthy person. These problems can be corrected both by the person himself and by a psychologist.

    Psychosis- a more complex and severe condition that is treated by a psychiatrist. It is understood as mental disorder, a pronounced disturbance of mental activity, a disorder of perception of the real world (attention, memory, thinking) and disorganization of behavior.

    Psychoses include schizophrenia, paranoid, manic, depressive, hypochondriacal and alcoholic psychoses. To make things completely clear, let's decipher these diseases.

    At schizophrenia, the person experiences delusional ideas, auditory and visual hallucinations, decreased willpower, apathy (silent, frozen in strange positions), disordered thinking, perception (cannot solve a simple problem), poor chaotic speech.

    At paranoid disorder a person is convinced that he is being influenced or watched by aliens, sorcerers, snipers, thieves, etc. Suspicion actively develops (to the point of delusional thoughts) and ideas that are extremely valuable for a person are formed, which are also delusional in nature.

    At manic psychosis observed inadequately high mood, increased sexuality, falling in love with everyone around, delusional overestimation of oneself (“I am the savior of the world”), motor agitation (from aimless neutral activity to aggressiveness, search for conflicts with others).

    Depressive psychosis, on the contrary, is characterized by decreased mood, appetite (even to the point of self-torture - anorexia), decreased sexual desire, desire for suicide, decreased self-esteem to the level of delusional ideas.

    Often manic and depressive psychoses can alternate with each other.

    As we can see, the term “psychosis” refers to a number of mental disorders that a psychiatrist works with.

    Outbursts of anger, aggression, hysterics, and persecution mania are also characteristic of a mentally healthy person. Under the influence of stress, the resources of the human psyche are depleted, and all this results in breakdown.

    Such a person is able to recognize a nervous breakdown; after the affect, he may experience remorse and strive to make amends for his guilt. For example, if you were rude in a fit of rage. In addition, he strives to combat affective outbursts.

    Fighting a nervous breakdown is possible. First you need to track nine signs:

    1. excessive irritability;
    2. chronic fatigue;
    3. it seems that there are only enemies around;
    4. constant self-criticism;
    5. other people's requests cause anger;
    6. the seemingly innocent words of others spoken to you suddenly began to offend you;
    7. disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, headaches;
    8. excessive suspicion, mania of persecution;
    9. depression, constant insomnia.

    If you have a nervous breakdown: what to do

    1. If the contradiction between the desired and the actual has reached its climax, and a nervous breakdown has occurred, The best way- go through the situation. Don't drive emotions inside, otherwise they will be expressed in psychosomatic diseases. You need to throw out your emotions and unwind.
    2. After you have released negative energy, switch your attention - wash your face, drink water, open the window.
    3. If possible, sleep, this will help restore your strength.

    Psychosis and nervous breakdown - when self-control goes away

    If another person has a nervous breakdown, what should you do?

    Aggression

    With the help of aggressive behavior, the human body tries to get rid of high tension. In a situation of passion (if the aggression is not directed at you):

    1. remove strangers from the room;
    2. let the person “let off steam” - shout, beat a pillow, throw things around;
    3. assign work related to physical activity;
    4. always demonstrate a friendly attitude and your participation. Don’t blame him: “Well, you always behave like this,” “Can’t help but yell?” It’s worth saying about his feelings: “You’re very angry now, I understand how unpleasant it is for you. We can come up with something together”;
    5. After the person has let off steam, invite him to wash and drink water. This method helps children especially well.

    Nervous trembling

    Sometimes it appears in a person who has just suffered an extreme situation (an accident, an attack by a criminal, or was a participant in a conflict or other terrible incident). Thanks to trembling, the body releases accumulated tension. This trembling cannot be stopped, otherwise it will cause muscle pain, and in the future it will turn into psychosomatic diseases. Trembling occurs immediately after the incident or after some time, the whole body or individual parts of it tremble. For example, a person cannot hold a pen in his hands, open a lock, or light a cigarette. In such a situation you need:

    1. Intensify the shaking so that it goes away faster. Grab the victim by the shoulders and shake for 15 seconds. At this time, talk to him so that he does not take your actions for aggression.
    2. After it disappears, give the victim a rest, you can put to sleep.

    Hysterics

    May last from several minutes to hours. In it we can observe theatrical poses, many motor actions, high activity, fast, emotionally charged speech, sobs and screams. What to do?

    1. Remove strangers, stay alone with the person (if it is safe to do so).
    2. Surprise the victim - pour water on him, slap him in the face, drop a heavy object (with a crash), scatter papers from the table, you can even shout sharply.
    3. Guide the victim with short phrases and a confident tone: “Wash your face,” “Drink some water,” “Come here.”
    4. After a hysteria, a person experiences a breakdown. Make sure he gets enough rest, if possible, put him to bed.

    As we see, nervous breakdowns take up the lion's share of energy and harm communication (they spoil relationships between close people, threaten business, and develop a person's conflict tolerance).

    How to prevent a nervous breakdown?

    1. Switch

    If you feel like you're about to have a nervous breakdown and you're about to break down, you should switch to something else. The higher your voltage, the more powerful the switching should be. Pour yourself some tea, look at yourself in the mirror, go into another room, wash your face.

    Psychosis and nervous breakdown - when self-control goes away

    yoga, massage, heavy physical work around the house/dacha. Resentment is cured by forgiveness, and guilt is cured by an apology.

    3. Use defense mechanisms

    According to Freud, we have defense mechanisms that help fight negative energy, turning it into a positive direction. Such mechanisms include humor and creativity. When we laugh at our fears, concerns, failures, unpleasant situations, it immediately becomes easier, you just have to look at the subject from the other side. With the help of creativity, writers, poets and artists have long been freed, for example, from sadness.

    Try drawing your anger, your fears, or your entire mood. Now what can you add to make the picture look kinder? Make a collage on the topic: how does resentment arise and where to put it? If you are sad, remember the word altruism. Help someone who is worse off than you - a grandmother whom everyone has forgotten, a mother of many children who does little, pack your things with your friends and take them to an orphanage, there are a lot of options.

    4. Remember to rest

    For daily rest, 5-10 minutes are always useful relaxation during the whole day. Always give yourself some time to relax after work (change of activities, sports, walks, reading pleasant literature, bath, massage, doing what you love). On weekends, reward yourself (and your family) with trips to nature, take longer walks, and don’t forget about sports and cultural events.

    Psychologist Olga VOSTOCHNAYA