Am I breaking down?
Question
I have been heavily overworked in my job for the past two years. I also have four children. On top of these responsibilities, I am recovering from a bad infection in my lungs, due to not being allowed off work.
I can't sleep, when I do it's restless, and getting up in the morning feels like an impossible challenge.
I feel like I am having am emotional breakdown - am I just overreacting? Please help, I feel so drained.
Answer
It sounds like the last two years have been hard for you. The pressures of your work and family life, in addition to recovering from a lung infection, must feel very draining, both physically and emotionally. It must be upsetting to feel unsupported by your workplace and feel like you are under so much stress.
Feeling the way you do sounds like a frightening and isolating experience, so please be reassured, you do not have to go through this alone.
Problems with relationships, work, money, or any other number of things can leave a person feeling anxious, depressed and stressed. When these feelings become overwhelming, this may be referred to as a nervous breakdown. Although there is no such thing in medical terms, a nervous breakdown is applied to someone who is incapable of functioning in everyday life and unable to cope with daily challenges. For some, this can be related to or develop into anxiety or depression.
Everyone's experience of breaking down is individual. In a physical sense, an inability to sleep, as you mention, a loss of appetite and lethargy can leave people feeling exhausted. Consequently, this can result in feeling emotionally unstable and drained; there may be a loss of confidence and self-esteem, which contribute to any underlying feelings of anxiety and depression. But for others, the feelings subside when the stress is reduced and people find ways to cope better. As feelings of anxiety and depression develop, some people find their daily lives become disrupted.
If any of this sounds familiar, it may be worth making an appointment with your local doctor (GP), as they will be able to explore the options of help and support available to you. This might be in the form of medical treatment, such as antidepressants or tranquilisers to assist with the symptoms of anxiety, depression or sleep problems. Or, perhaps, a talking treatment, such as counselling or psychotherapy.
Alternatively, methods of relaxation such as exercise or complementary therapies like yoga, reflexology, or reiki may be worth considering. There is further information about the use of natural remedies to treat anxiety on the No More Panic website, which might also prove helpful to you.
In addition, it is possible to get more support with looking after your children. This might help because it may be part of the stress you are experiencing. For confidential, practical advice and emotional support, you can call Parentline Plus on 0808 800 222. This helpline is available 24 hours everyday.
You do not say if you have spoken to anyone about how you have been feeling. Perhaps you have a close friend or relative you could confide in? It may also be worth speaking to your line manager about the impact your work life is having on you. Particularly regarding the fact you have not even been allowed to take time off to recover from your lung infection.
Sometimes, it can be easier to speak in confidence to someone you do not know. SANELINE is a national mental health helpline that offers confidential help and support on 0845 767 8000.
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Question answered by SANE
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