The Importance of a Breakdown

Having a nervous breakdown could seem like the ultimate calamity. Far from it. Handled correctly, it can be a unique opportunity to learn - and to get properly well.

FURTHER READING

“One of the great problems of human beings is that we’re far too good at keeping going. We’re experts at surrendering to the demands of the external world, living up to what is expected of us and getting on with the priorities as others around us define them. We keep showing up and being an excellent boy or girl – and we can pull this magical feat off for up to decades at a time, without so much as an outward twitch or crack...”

MORE SCHOOL OF LIFE

Watch more films on SELF in our playlist:

SOCIAL MEDIA

Feel free to follow us at the links below:

CREDITS

Produced in collaboration with:

Gemma Green-Hope

[andeony]

"When we hit our lowest point we are open to the greatest change"
-Avatar Aang

[letsclaire-ify]

A breakdown leads to a breakthrough. Got to feel it to heal it.

[matcha_ct]

I have the habit of being nocturnal because of online studying and needing to monitor my grandma at night. I felt a void when she passed, and had some days not even seeing/talking to family members. After a breakdown, I had thoughts of 'I don’t want to feel sh*tty anymore, I want to feel fine'. I no longer wanted to do as people wanted/expected, cared less about what other ppl said and made some family members unhappy because I seem 'selfish' and more outspoken. Either I care more about my own happiness or be a people pleaser :/

[novanettle]

My doctor told me "you need to be kind to yourself. Expecting perfection is only going to set you up to fail. However, the one who did this to you, is yourself. So you also need to take responsibility for hurting yourself this way".
I'm on a slow route to recovery, and even though I don't think everything needs to be a lesson, this really has made me open my eyes to how much is to much and what I am truly capable of.

[learntocrochet]

I had a professor from Russia who said people in U.S. were too concerned with mental health - that depression and even breakdowns were valuable. He also said that our expectation that everyone be happy all the time, greet each other with a smile and "fine" or "great" in response to "how are you?" was fake and inhumane.

[anastasiachristina]

I received the notification after my mental breakdown?? Man my FBI agent is caring

[YAYASAN]

"We have not become ill, we were ill, already"

powerful

[PaginasLetea]

I'm in a middle of a breakdown and thinking if I should quit my job to take a time for myself. This video put me into perspective

[ebermtheburn]

Sometimes you need a breakdown to realize what are the toxic and what are the good things in your life.

[ieaniie]

Mental breakdown = character development

That explains why im so different then I was before

[Kirbystar]

This makes me feel less guilty about the times I’ve had break downs. I always thought there was something wrong with me, but I was really just not happy or struggling in the circumstances I was in.

[cherryontop]

I suffered a breakdown earlier this year (at 33) and the way that my body responded was so scary. It literally stopped working. I ended up making some big decisions and my life took a complete 180. It took me a while to understand the purpose of the breakdown because of how guilt-ridden and ashamed I felt for having "failed" at life, but life is 100% better now. Listen to your body, reach out to your support system, and ask for professional help (social workers, counselors, your PCP) if needed. xo C

[random_life_things]

"A crisis represents an appetite for growth that hasn't found another way of expressing itself". This caught my eyes.

[magiv]

"People talk about caterpillars becoming butterflies as though they just go into a cocoon, slap on wings and are good to go.
Caterpillars have to dissolve into a disgusting pile of goo to become butterflies.
So, if you're a mess wrapped up in blankets right now - keep going."
- Jennifer Wright


Came across this yesterday, during a really bad episode of sudden, utter despair and hopelessness. Naturally I turned to the internet, partly to distract myself from myself, partly looking for answers.

I don't know about you, but that quote is the single most hopeful thing I've read in a long, long time.

[sanyeung]

I just had my first breakdown in my life at the age of 32. It was tough and dark. But blessed, I learned to listen to my emotions better. I’m thankful for this new perspective on life. Let us remember that don’t forget to heal and love ourselves everyday. ❤ Know that you are not alone, wherever you are.

[vrazynueron]

After my breakdown I started living my life more and in an organized way, less toxic and I also eliminated many things to remain happy.

[Kriistall]

Having a major breakdown was amazing for me. Didnt feel like it at the time but I came out of it as the best version of myself and now I actually enjoy being alive

[theaxisofinsight]

Sometimes after a breakdown, most of the things which were hazy become clearer.

[derezzed]

I needed to see this. I'd recently startedbinge drinking because the stress from college and expectations on me and the seemingly endless stream of adult responsibilities have simply become too much. So much to learn and remember, so much I expect myself to be perfect at, so many people I don't want to let down. I've made a recent desision to cut out drinking until my 21 birthday and after which develop a healthier relationship with alchohol and my mind. I hope that by sharing my experience I can help others in this comment section feel less alone.

[bonniea.]

Just had a huge breakdown last March. 😢 I’m still healing. ❤️‍🩹