Recovery after nervous exhaustion

Nervous exhaustion is a type of neurosis. This disease affects not only the mental state of a person, but also affects physical resources. Nervous exhaustion is difficult to detect, and improper treatment can lead to serious depression and complications in a person's social adaptation.

Causes

There is only one reason for nervous exhaustion - constant stress. However, for each person this reason has different forms. It should be understood that small disagreements at work or a quarrel with friends cannot cause nervous exhaustion, as they have only a one-time effect on the body. Stress must be prolonged in order to exhaust a person and expend internal resources. Most often, workaholics in responsible positions face the disease.

Psychologists say that nervous exhaustion can have deeper roots than prolonged stress. Some people are predisposed to nervous exhaustion due to psychological trauma received in childhood. For example, in strict families, children grow up under the pressure of high expectations, which is reflected in their behavior in adulthood. In this case, even a small mistake can trigger a whole mechanism of nervous shocks, which will lead to a breakdown.

How does nervous exhaustion manifest itself?

Manifestations of nervous exhaustion can be noticed even by people around, as the character and location of the patient often change. At the first stages of the disease, patients are very fussy, so they quickly lose their temper even over trifles. Over time, outbursts of irritability appear more often, but quickly pass, flowing into indifference to the source of the problem.

During nervous exhaustion, it seems to a person that he cannot even cope with ordinary affairs. Low self-esteem leads to constant whining and a desire to arouse pity in others. As a consequence, this entails a gradual rejection of communication and social isolation.

With an illness, a person often walks drowsy all day, but at the same time suffers from insomnia and cannot get enough sleep. Psychological fatigue from work and everyday activities often turns into physical. In the last stages, the patient does not have the strength and desire to get out of bed, as fatigue presses on his shoulders. At the same time, there are no specific pains in the muscles, although convulsions periodically occur. It all starts with headaches, later there are problems with the heart (arrhythmia, pressure surges), followed by problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

Concentration deteriorates, which can lead to minor memory problems. It becomes more difficult for the patient to work at a normal pace, mistakes occur more often, reactions and thought processes slow down.

Treatment after nervous exhaustion

Treatment of nervous exhaustion is complicated by the complexity of the diagnosis. Often, patients do not understand the essence of the problem and seek the help of a therapist who begins the treatment of external manifestations of the disease: headaches, problems with the stomach and cardiovascular system. This approach often leads to a worsening of the patient's condition. From nervous exhaustion, the disease flows into clinical depression, which is much more difficult to deal with.

Treatment of the disease is carried out under the supervision of a psychologist or psychotherapist, who helps to find the original cause of the condition. In this case, therapeutic methods can also be used, including for the diagnosis of nervous exhaustion.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of the disease includes a comprehensive analysis of the state of the body. This is due to the way the body works during a period of nervous exhaustion. The brain in a state of stress sends numerous impulses to various organ systems. Usually, most of the impulses are sent to the endocrine, cardiovascular system and gastrointestinal tract.

These organ systems are considered the main ones, so their work is a priority. However, long-term maintenance of the performance of these systems in normal mode is impossible, so there is a feeling of discomfort and pain. Standard diagnostic tools can show the lack of certain hormones and other substances that contribute to the normal functioning of the body.

As part of the diagnosis is carried out:

• Biochemical analysis of blood and urine;
• ECG;
• Immunological test;
• Checking the hormonal background.

Serious pathologies are not detected. It is possible to determine only a decrease in the efficiency of organs, as well as a lack of nutrients.

Why should you see a psychotherapist?

When contacting a therapist, the patient is waiting for the treatment of physical symptoms of fatigue. The root cause will not be revealed, so the malaise will return. The desire to turn to a psychotherapist often comes from the patients themselves, less often from relatives who pay attention to a change in the behavior and character of the patient.

The psychotherapist helps not only to determine the source of the ailment, but also helps to remove the physical signs of fatigue. A good doctor will tell you what nervous exhaustion is and how to recover on your own. Depending on the stage of the disease, doctors use various means, often combining them for a more effective result and the absence of side effects.

Psychological drug therapy consists of:

• Vitamins A, B, D, E. In the early stages of nervous exhaustion, these vitamins will be enough to avoid the physical manifestations of the disease and improve the condition of the body as a whole;
• Sedatives artificially reduce interest in the source of the problem, therefore, contribute to recovery;
• Vasodilators are used for emerging heart rhythm problems, as well as spasms and convulsions;
• Nootropic drugs are used in severe cases of nervous exhaustion as psychostimulants.
• Additionally, drugs with a hypnotic effect can be used, since patients need sleep for proper rest. At the last stage of nervous exhaustion, antidepressants are prescribed. However, not all psychotherapists approve of this type of drug. Some doctors believe that antidepressants are akin to narcotic drugs. They need to be taken for a long time, but they do not contribute to the care of the problem, but only delay its solution.

Recovery methods after nervous exhaustion

Already at the first session, the psychotherapist can give a number of recommendations on how to recover from a nervous breakdown. The main role among them is played by proper rest, for which you need to remove the cause of nervous exhaustion.

Taking a break with a change of scenery is a great way to recover from a breakdown. It is best to spend a vacation associated with an active lifestyle. For example, hiking in the mountains. In the last stages of nervous exhaustion, it is difficult to immediately switch to active rest, so it is worth starting with calmer meditative practices. Do yoga or breathing exercises, they will help tone the body and find harmony in yourself.

For rest, sound sleep is important, with which there are often problems. Do not seek help from sleeping pills. Before going to bed, you can not have a heavy dinner or spend time actively. But long walks after a nutritious dinner will do you good. Go to bed only when you feel like sleeping. Do not take your phone or laptop to bed, as they will only distract you and keep you awake longer. Sleep in a room with tightly closed curtains and no lights. With nervous exhaustion, aversion to smells and sounds often develops, so before going to bed, ventilate the room and turn off the TV. Get a sleep mask and earplugs if you can't sleep in complete darkness and noise isolation.

Pay attention to the regularity of food, as well as its diversity. The body should receive maximum nutrients, so fresh vegetables and fruits should be on the table every day. Remove junk food: sugary sodas, dry snacks, convenience foods. Many people after nervous exhaustion try to change the course of life as much as possible and become vegetarians. However, you can find a good hobby instead.

To prevent nervous exhaustion, periodically arrange fasting days for yourself with relaxing baths, aromatherapy and meditation. Review your life priorities and try to focus on the aspects of life that irritate you.

Nervous exhaustion: how to recover? - video