How to deal with breakdowns in the middle of your work?

By Samyati Mohanty

The workplace might be enjoyable, fulfilling, challenging, satisfying, or rewarding. It can, however, be a source of worry or anxiety, leading to other underlying mental health issues. If left untreated, these illnesses might lead to more serious mental health problems. A nervous breakdown is one of them. They can occur at any time and in a number of situations.  Mental health first aid (MHFA) training is essential in the workplace to assist employers recognise the signs of a breakdown and refer employees to the necessary professional help.

Contact the relevant helpline numbers if you require quick assistance for your staff. In this article, we'll look into nervous breakdowns at work, which can occur as a result of stress, despair, anxiety, and other factors. We'll go over the most common causes and symptoms. We'll also give some advice on how to help employees and bosses who are having a nervous breakdown. 

What exactly is a nervous breakdown?

Severe emotional distress. It's linked to an increase in stress levels, and it might make a person unable to operate or complete their daily tasks. Simply explained, a nervous breakdown (also known as a mental breakdown) is your brain's response to intense stress caused by annoyance, upset, fatigue, worry, or sadness. Because there is no universally accepted term for a nervous breakdown, some individuals refer to it as an emotional meltdown.

A nervous breakdown is not the same as a panic attack, despite the fact that some of their symptoms are similar. Panic episodes, as opposed to nervous breakdowns, endure less time and cause a variety of physical symptoms. Recurrent panic attacks can result in the diagnosis of panic disorder, a kind of anxiety disorder.

Certain specialists refer to a nervous breakdown caused by work as "burnout syndrome." Work-related stress, such as looming deadlines, increased workloads, excessive expectations, and so on, is most likely to blame. While it is not a "medical health diagnosis," it has serious effects and can interfere with every part of an employee's life, including their job.

How long does it take for someone to have a mental breakdown?

Depending on the individual, a workplace breakdown might last anywhere from an hour to a week. Because mental breakdown isn't a recognised medical illness, there isn't an established definition or set of criteria to describe it, including the length of time it lasts. Instead, there are a number of risk indicators that might lead to a mental breakdown, and the more an employee has, the higher the danger. These are some of them:

• A mental health problem that has gone undiagnosed or untreated.
• Overwhelmed by duties at home or at work Traumatic events such as abuse, death, or major sickness
• As a coping mechanism, substance misuse is used.
• Inability to relinquish control or delegate authority
• Putting one's own health, including hygiene, food, and exercise, on the back burner

What are the symptoms of Nervous breakdown?

There are numerous indicators that an employee is suffering from mental health concerns. You'll be in a better position to offer assistance and recommend necessary professional aid if you can recognise these indicators. The symptoms of a nervous breakdown differ based on the person and the underlying reason of the breakdown. They could, however, be medical, psychological, or behavioural in nature. However, there are certain common warning signs to be aware of:

• Extreme mood fluctuations
• Anxiety disorders
• An emotional outburst
• unable to concentrate
• Absenteeism is increasing.
• Lower productivity levels

Those suffering from a nervous breakdown may also experience the following symptoms:

• Exhaustion
• Paranoia
• When an employee is having a nervous breakdown, they may avoid social functions, call in sick more frequently, or isolate themselves. Keep a look out for these warning indicators and take appropriate action.

How to Make Yourself Feel Better?

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, it's time to take a step back and make some changes. Consider one of the following options:

• Make plans to spend time with pals who always bring a grin to your face. That implies you'll have to cut back on some of the work commitments on your calendar, but isn't that the point?
• Spend some money on yourself by scheduling some 'Me time.' It's time to refresh your gratitude for the world you've worked so hard to create for yourself, whether that means scheduling a spa visit or purchasing tickets to a hot play you've heard about.
• Reduce the size of your to-do list. You've probably squeezed more into your day than is realistically doable if you're letting critical details fall through the cracks.
• Express your worries to your superiors at work. Drawing attention to your displeasure to people you believe are to fault may seem illogical. However, if you approach this talk as an intervention rather than a confrontation, you might be able to finally resolve the issues.
• Reorganize your job objectives to re-energize yourself. Burnout linked to exhaustion can signal that you're not only exhausted, but also tired of the same old mundane aspects of your daily routine.
• To feel more engaged, look for methods to take on new duties in the same profession. Join a group dedicated to a certain component of your job where you'd like to obtain more experience.
• Make plans for a getaway! Taking time off isn't a cop-out. Consider it like a doctor's prescription. A beach vacation could be just what you need.