[TwinButterfly]

I'm sorry to put this on all of you. I'm sure you have your own problems. But all I'm asking is for you to take some time and read this, maybe even reply. If you want to.

To start off, my father's side had a history of mental health issues. My father and brother both have a mental breakdown. My brother now suffers from Paranoid Schzophrenia.

I've had a breakdown before a few years ago, but it was nothing like this. Yeah, I had suicidal thoughts and tried it many times, but I never had the symptoms I do now.

It started off as feeling angry all the time and feeling stressed. I take over the counter stress medication sometimes. But since the medication is only for short term use (2-4 weeks), I miss days out. Sometimes even weeks. When I felt angry, I ranted on and on about the same thing. For hours on end. I still do.

It really came out though on Tuesday at work. It started off as a raised temperature and clammy hands. I then began to shake. When I was sent for a half an hour break, I just lost it. I forgot the code to the door, (We have a door and set of stairs for upstairs to the staffroom). When I got in the staffroom, I started crying.

Yesterday, I felt disconnected from those who I've been close to. I felt like that again this morning. I felt angry again today and teary. I've also been shaking again since and had a rapid heartbeat. It felt like I was going to die. It also doesn't help that a friend of mine kept texting me today because I didn't reply.

I kept this to myself, because I know that friend would tell me to turn it into something positive. But, it's impossible for me to do that.

I think I'm having a mental breakdown and I can't stop it.

[shezbut]

Have you tried reaching out to a therapist recently, to talk about how you've been struggling? Not necessarily for medications..but to talk about how you've been feeling. That might help a lot.

Gentle hugs to you ~ and, welcome to Psych Central.

[Prism Bunny]

You need to reach out to your mental health physician and head for an ER so they can evaluate what is going on right now. You may need stronger medication or you may need a temporary stay in a hospital so a psychiatrist can diagnose you and give you proper medication. After they release you, they will guide and walk you through the best treatment plans.

You may be going through a mental breakdown, but there are options on how you handle it. And I think you have the strength to get help.

[Angelique67]

Hi, have you been forgetting to eat or drink water? I get the shakes from that. I hope you'll reach out to your doctor, and feel much better.

Originally Posted by TwinButterfly

I think I'm having a mental breakdown and I can't stop it.

Mental breakdown is a very broad term, just like the old equally broad term Nervous breakdown (which is still in use) and, as others have said, you really need to see a therapist or a mental health professional to get a proper mental health diagnosis and treatment. We're your peers here, not professionals, and while we can certainly empathize with your feelings, we can't tell you that schizoaffective disorder that needs treatment by X, Y and Z medications.

From the description of your symptoms, it sounds, for instance, as if you have trouble controlling your anger, as if you have problems with anxiety and as if you have depression problems. There are probably forums on this board for all of those those! Instead of trying to treat each feeling on your own, a good therapist would probably look to see if there's one diagnosis that 'fits' all of those symptoms. I didn't look to see where you live, but most counties in the U.S. or most councils in the U.K. have "crisis centers" where you can go if you feel as if you're actually in the midst of a mental breakdown.

There may also be national hotlines that you can use if you feel if you're in danger of self-harm. I've never called one but I've never heard good things about them.

There are chat rooms here but I don't know how to use them.

Just keep on going, keep on here, writing as often as you need you until you get professional help.

[possum220]

Sound like a very tough time for you right now. You need to be taking very good care of yourself. Please get some professional advice on how you need to deal with this. You may need more than over the counter medication.

Breakdown's on any kind of a level is nature's reminder to us that something is wrong.
Welcome to PC. You are among friends here.

[TwinButterfly]

I wish I could get diagnosed. I go to my doctor and all he says is that he can't diagnose me. So, I might see another one. I can't handle anything right now. Even the thought of going to work is stressful to think about.

[possum220]

A doctor is there to help you not just take a pass. Please see another doctor that is much more helpful. They are out there.

[kecanoe]

Originally Posted by TwinButterfly

I wish I could get diagnosed. I go to my doctor and all he says is that he can't diagnose me. So, I might see another one. I can't handle anything right now. Even the thought of going to work is stressful to think about.

Can you get a referral to a psychiatrist or psychologist? They would probably be able to help you with a diagnosis.