OK I think I best do some of my babbling over here on this thread (rather than more on the hurricane thread?)<font color="blue">
So many things come to mind when I think about this: determining just what IS a breaking point, are there different breaking points within each person, what might be the "signs" of warning before reaching those points? Are your breaking points just an exacerbation of feelings that you don't wish to feel, or are they serious deviations from the normal thus constituting a brief psychotic break from reality? <font color="green">

What do you consider a breaking point? Maybe we each have a different definition of this, and each one is allowable, imo. For someone who is very shy and usually quiet, they might think that an outburst of verbage shows that they went too far... while for another, who is already outgoing and expressive, that wouldn't mean anything much to them. So I think you need to decide, first, what do YOU consider the point -or points- that you DON'T wish to find.

<font color="brown"> I do also think that each one of us having different "breaking points." We control ourselves around certain people and not others. We hold our thoughts in some situations and not others. Are you thinking that a breaking point is when you CAN'T control your thoughts, or actions, feelings or any of it???

<font color="purple"> Maybe to think about what things, for the time being, that you really don't think you can control right now.. and to put effort into countering that is not "worth it" right now. I'm thinking personally for myself about the actions of certain people I know... I use the technique of avoidance, instead. (Not a good long term compensation, but fine for now.)

<font color="darkblue"> Now that we have some sort of definition for our breaking point...where we don't wish to end up... it's necessary to try and discern the warning signs... Someone close to you may have given you indications already! <font color="blue"> Do you begin to clam up, or perhaps you talk to yourself more? Do you begin to drop things, slam doors, forget things more? Do you find you cut people off when they are talking, or driving??? Do you find you can't read as well, or are too restless to sit and watch tv? Do you slow down and find it difficult to do anything, like walking through mud? There are many things that could be different for you.. the main point is to find what YOUR indicators are.

And remember, for the different people/situations, you may have different responses leading up to a "break."

Once the point you don't wish to get to is determined, and the warning signs... now you need to find things -or one thing- to do, for you, to counter the downward force towards a break. What will you do when you realize (whether by yourself or with the help of a SO) you are on that slippery slope?

<font color="green"> IMO the basics are necessary here: eat well, get rest (take naps if necessary), get alone time (NO phones etc).... then add what you can find that works for you: monitor your "self-talk" are you using words and phrases like, I can't take this anymore... I'm not going to make it..... if he does that one more time I'm gonna bust a gut!.... and S T O P those thoughts (cleverly called "thought stopping.") Utilize relaxation techniques, centering and grounding techniques, etc. Meditation, music, activity, rest .... what do YOU respond to best?

<font color=" darkgrey"> For myself, no, I don't always "see it coming" and thus another reason I need my psychologist. He and I are still working through HOW he can tell me when he needs to "make the call" for me to stop certain thinking or activity. I DO have marbles that I use. He and I worked with good calming emphasis while I centered with a marble...rolling it around in my hands... NOW just to begin to think about getting a marble to feel,and focus upon, begins my calming process. My brain has associated my T's remarks for centering myself with the marble, and I really don't have to think much about it at all. Of course, the more I do think and focus, the stronger the counteraction is and the quicker it helps me. I also have a CD that is for delta brain waves..... sounds....that put the brain in delta wave status. Either of these or both (if at home) and good deliberate slow, full belly breathing works for me... clearing my thoughts to NOTHING...

Once you are able to stand back away from a situation or ongoing situations, then it's time to evaluate just what is happening. Is this something you have control over, or something you will never control? Is this about YOU or is it about THEM? Do you HAVE to own it???? Are you taking responsibility for something that ISN"T your responsibility? If so, why? If you have asked for help, because you have discerned that you NEED help, and you don't get that help... can you do your best and let it go??? { How can you do more?} If the task requires more than you and it's only you... then obviously the level of accomplishment isn't going to be what someone else might want.... that's about THEM that's THEIR problem... be content with your own efforts and move on.

<font color="black"> Ok. I've rambled plenty now! I hope each person that reads this can get something from it... if not from what I said, then something that you noticed I didn't say that might reflect good ideas for yourself! TC