Scary Symptoms of A Nervous Breakdown.

All of us feel stress at some point in our lives. In fact, some amount of stress is healthy to motivate us and increase our performance, which is referred to as Eu – Stress. However if the stress reaches an overwhelming level wherein it hampers someone’s ability to function normally in day-to-day life, they start showing symptoms of a nervous breakdown. “Eustress occurs when the gap between what one has and what one wants is slightly pushed, but not overwhelmed.

The goal is not too far out of reach but is still slightly more than one can handle. This fosters challenge and motivation since the goal is in sight. The function of the challenge is to motivate a person toward improvement and a goal. Challenge is an opportunity-related emotion that allows people to achieve unmet goals. Eustress is indicated by hope and active engagement. Eustress has a significantly positive correlation with life satisfaction and hope.

A nervous breakdown can be brought on by stress or anxiety caused due to any aspect of a person’s life: work, relationships, or finances. “The term “nervous breakdown” is sometimes used by people to describe a stressful situation in which they’re temporarily unable to function normally in day-to-day life. It’s commonly understood to occur when life’s demands become physically and emotionally overwhelming. The term was frequently used in the past to cover a variety of mental disorders, but it’s no longer used by mental health professionals today. Nervous breakdown isn’t a medical term, nor does it indicate a specific mental illness. But that doesn’t mean it’s a normal or a healthy response to stress. What some people call a nervous breakdown may indicate an underlying mental health problem that needs attention, such as depression or anxiety.

Signs of a so-called nervous breakdown vary from person to person and depend on the underlying cause. Exactly what constitutes a nervous breakdown also varies from one culture to another. Generally, it’s understood to mean that a person is no longer able to function normally. For example, he or she may: • Call in sick to work for days or longer. • Avoid social engagements and miss appointments. • Have trouble following healthy patterns of eating, sleeping, and hygiene. So what are the symptoms of a nervous breakdown? Read on to find out more.

Scary Symptoms of A Nervous Breakdown.

Persistent Headaches If you are suffering from unexplained headaches that don’t seem to go away, it could be one of the signs of a nervous breakdown. Stress and anxiety are caused by tension that gets stored in the body and usually manifests physically as headaches, tightness of muscles, and shallow breathing. The jaw, neck, shoulders, and head are the most affected areas that usually end up as storehouses of tension in the body. When you feel stressed, try doing gentle neck rolls, shoulder rolls, facial exercises, and deep breathing, you would instantly feel better. Related: Types of Headaches: Which One Do You Have?

Irregular heartbeat A nervous breakdown can manifest physically in a variety of forms but the irregularity of the heartbeat is the most common symptom. It is because breath and mind are connected. Whenever we are stressed, our breath becomes irregular leading to an irregular heartbeat. Anxiety and panic attacks often lead to racy thoughts, heart palpitations, and irregular heartbeat. It can feel extremely frightening as the symptoms are similar to getting a heart attack. Some people advise breathing deeply to calm down. But it can be a little difficult to practice deep breathing in the middle of a panic attack when your heart is pounding. Instead try to do some mild exercises, like stretching or going for walks. It will get your blood pumping and release endorphins to make you feel better. Once you feel a little better, you can try deep breathing to calm yourself further.

Irregular sleep patterns Depression or anxiety can seriously impact your sleeping patterns. You may either suffer from Insomnia or oversleeping. In both cases, your sleep is not restful and you wake up feeling tired and exhausted. To improve your sleeping pattern, try inculcating a moderate exercise routine like yoga or tai chi that will relax you both physically and mentally. Try to do some deep breathing or meditation before going to sleep. Also creating a soothing and distraction-free sleeping environment can help to improve your quality of sleep. A nervous breakdown can often lead to extreme mood swings or unexplained outbursts of anger, irritability, crying, or other emotional responses that are way out of proportion to the current situation. Try to observe your mood swings and assess your behavior.

Signs and Symptoms of A Nervous Breakdown.

If they are too overwhelming and out of proportion with the current situation and you feel like you can’t resolve them on your own. Please reach out to your friends and family. You can also seek professional help from a counselor or psychiatrist. There are lots of treatments like Talk therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy that go a long way in helping to control extreme mood swings.

Inability to focus A nervous breakdown leaves you feeling overwhelmed. It is accompanied by feelings of dread, paranoia, and hopelessness. Your mind is constantly struggling with what happened in the past, inducing guilt or what may happen in the future, inducing fear. You may find it hard to live in the present moment. Due to this, you may struggle to do routine tasks and find it difficult to focus on any one task at hand. Try doing meditation, and deep breathing to bring your mind to the present moment and it will help to improve your focus and concentration skills.

Anxiety/Panic attacks.

A nervous breakdown can manifest physically as anxiety with tense muscles, sweaty palms, dizziness, upset stomach, and trembling or shaking.

Signs and Symptoms of A Nervous Breakdown.

It can also lead to panic attacks, which include chest pain, pounding heart, heart palpitations, extreme sweating, shallow breathing, and extreme fear or a feeling of dissociating from reality or self. Or it can manifest in the form of nightmares or paranoia.

Changes in eating, leading to weight loss or weight gain.

A nervous breakdown can also affect your eating habits. You may start eating too little or indulge in overeating leading to sudden changes in weight. A lot of people indulge in emotional eating when they feel overwhelmed and gain a lot of weight. On the contrary, some people may lose their appetite due to stress and anxiety and lose a lot of weight. It is important to be disciplined and eat a balanced diet. Seek help from a dietician or nutritionist if you are not able to maintain a healthy and balanced diet on your own.

Gastrointestinal symptoms Stress, anxiety, and nervousness have a direct impact on our stomach and gut health. Our digestive system is directly impacted by our mental health. Stress, anxiety, and fear can lead to several gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea, constipation, or stomach pain. Excessive stress can also lead to Irritable Bowel syndrome or other autoimmune diseases.

Isolation and social withdrawal.

Nervous breakdown or depression can make a person lose interest in the activities that he used to enjoy earlier. He may stop talking to friends or family and skip social events and gatherings, confining himself to his home.

Maintaining poor personal hygiene A nervous breakdown can seriously impact a person’s ability to do even routine tasks like brushing teeth or taking a shower. He may start neglecting his personal hygiene and may not pay any attention to his appearance or looks. This is one of the most alarming symptoms of a nervous breakdown if a person is not able to keep up with his daily personal hygiene and housekeeping tasks.

Feeling helpless or hopeless.

A nervous breakdown is often accompanied by depressive symptoms, such as helplessness, hopelessness, sadness, loss of interest in normal activities, and thoughts of suicide or self-harm.

What are the risk factors that can contribute to a nervous breakdown?

A person may be at risk of a nervous breakdown when stress becomes too much for them to handle. It can be caused by any life event like: • Stressful working conditions • Traumatic events, such as a death in the family or loss of a loved one • Financial crises such as serious debt or loss of job • Poor sleeping, eating, and exercising habits • Recent injury or illness diagnosis If you can relate to any of the above-mentioned symptoms or feel you are on the verge of a breakdown, follow these strategies for managing your symptoms: • Talk therapy (Counseling )or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) • Prescriptions medicines like antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication can be used to treat chemical imbalances • Holistic e treatments, such as massage, Ayurveda, or yoga • Practice meditation and deep breathing • Cut caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol from your diet • Develop a sleep schedule and routine that will help you sleep well. That can include taking a warm bath; meditation, and reading a book before bed. Have you ever had a nervous breakdown in your life?

What is the difference between a nervous breakdown and a mental breakdown? A nervous breakdown and a mental breakdown are the same things, and both signify extreme emotional, mental, and psychological stress.

What happens when you have a nervous breakdown?

When you have a nervous breakdown you may feel that it’s impossible for you to handle any sort of emotional needs and responsibilities, and feel an overwhelming amount of anxiety and stress. How long does it take to heal from a nervous breakdown? Symptoms of a nervous breakdown normally last for a few days, and more in case of hospitalizations. Patients with severe mental illness tend to stay in a hospital for up to 10 days, or even more in extremely serious cases. (By Shweta Advani).

here: https://themindsjournal.com/11-symptoms-nervous-breakdown/

Interview with a sergeant of the French Foreign Legion.

French Guyana. November, 2020.

I did this interview with Raf that I met during our sergeant training (FG1) in Castelnaudary city a few years ago now. In Raf, I knew a person who always keeps an excellent state of mind, even in the shittiest situations. I believe that this approach is essential to be and last in the French Foreign Legion. His testimony is the point of view of a person with an extraordinary mindset.

Raf is actively sharing his personal experience about the French Foreign Legion and his adventures with his over 29k followers on Instagram. Follow him if you want to enjoy his amazing photos and get some insights about the life of a Legionnaire: @rafale75.

Aron: Hi Raf! I’ve been wanting to do this interview with you for a long time, fortunately we both have some free time. Can you talk about yourself and your early career in the Foreign Legion?

Raf: I am currently 35 years old, I joined the Legion in Paris at the Fort de Nogent. I was a math student, but after finishing university I realized that this was not what I wanted to do, so I started working in a tobacco shop. It was a job that I liked very much, because I liked to meet people, to talk, to sell things, everything that is commercial, in fact. But after two years I wanted to change. My cousin was a Legionnaire in the 2°REP, so I asked him for information, and he explained to me the steps to take. I also did some research on my own. I watched all the videos on YouTube about the Legion and then I decided to join.

A : So you went to the Fort de Nogent.

R : Yes, I went there in December before Christmas, but there wasn’t much room at that time because they were in the middle of their preparation period. So the master corporal told me to come back another day. So I took my bag and went home, but the next day I showed up again and this time it worked.

A : What happened next?

R : I was immediately put in charge because I was a French speaker. I accompanied the guys to the infirmary, I looked for people if necessary. I was running around, so I wasn’t bored.

A : So you became caporal du jour as you arrived.

R : Yes. It lasted two weeks, because at Christmas time there weren’t too many people leaving for Aubagne, so it was a little long.

A : Then you passed the selections and went to training at a time when new legionnaires were not allowed to own a phone. Talk a little about this period. How did you live the first months in the Legion? Was it what you expected?

R : It was exactly like in the videos. I arrived with the first wave in Castelnaudary at the 1st company, so that allowed us to quickly get into the game. Afterwards, on the farm, we did a lot of sports, learning the first moves to make in combat. I think this is the most exciting time in the life of a legionnaire because it’s the time when you become a member of the “Family”.

Our training was particularly difficult. There were 32 of us at the beginning, but only 13 transferred at the end. This was unheard of, according to the company’s commanding officer. Today there are only three people left in the Legion from my section. We’re all sergeants now.

A : Which regiment did you go to? Directly to the 3REI?

R : No. In fact, I asked for either the 3REI or the 2REI at the end of the training, but the captain told me that if I wanted to go to the 3REI my papers had to be in order. He suggested that I stay in Castel and then the next year I could go to Guyana.

A : What was your time like in Castel?

R : I went straight to the PPFGE (the training allowing legionnaires to pass corporal in a short time) and then became a corporal. I participated in the training of 3 platoons of new legionnaires. Then the next summer, I was assigned to the 3REI as planned. I left there for two years, but in the end I had done three. Before I left, I had spoken with a person who had been to Kourou three times and he told me that you either love Guyana or you hate it, but you won’t know that until you’ve been there.

A : Indeed. I was able to experience the atmosphere on my own skin. So, you arrived in Guyana. What were the first things you did?

R : I arrived in Guyana in August and when I went before the captain, I asked to do the AMF course, but it was denied. He told me that I should gain experience, acclimatize a little and then we’ll see. And fortunately he told me that, because it allowed me to do missions in the forest as part of Operation Harpie. It is a mission against illegal gold mining on the French territory. I was also able to participate in the operation Titan which consists in protecting the space center in Kourou.

A : But the AMF course wasn’t inaccessible

R : No, I started the training during my second year. Probably the most difficult course I did in the legion.

A : Can you tell us more about it? What exactly is the training like?

R : Well, you start with the presentation of the course in front of the regimental chapel. You see the instructors arrive, they explain a little about what to expect and then it begins. Four days of non-stop testing. The 8km TAP run, obstacle course, different strength tests, pool tests and everything you can imagine. You are always carrying a stretcher with someone on it.

There is also another thing you should know that during this course, the only thing yout have to say is “I quit” to the instructors and you leave the training without having to explain why. You will do this in front of your unit commander or section chief. Trainees are also graded from the first day and there is a ranking at the end of the week. Depending on your position in this ranking, you receive a number by which you will be called throughout the course. I was second, so I was trainee number two. This course is reserved only for non-commissioned soldiers, legionnaires, corporals and master corporals, but during the training there is no rank. We were just numbers.

A : What was the program after that?

R : At the beginning it was rather learning. How to navigate a pirogue, how to cut a tree with a chainsaw, how to cross a river, the rules to respect in the forest and so on.

A : So it was more pedago in the end?

R : Yes, in fact every time there was an exercise, everyone had to pass as if they were an instructor. We had to explain what to do as if we had a platoon of officers or foreign trainees in front of us.

A : But not only.

R : <He’s laughing>. No, it was a massacre at the same time. There was no time to recuperate or to get back into shape. Zero free time or rest, except on Sunday afternoons between 4 and 6 o’clock, because there was a medical check-up that was mandatory for everyone to see if they had caught something. There were many who had to leave the course because of a health problem.

It was a very tiring course and you never knew when the day was going to end. During the survival phase, we often finished around 2-3 am and started again at 5 am. Or we didn’t sleep at all, which was also an option that happened quite often. We were weighed at the beginning and at the end of the course and I lost 13 kilos. In the end, there were only 9 of us who made it out of 30 trainees at the beginning.

A : What happened once you finished?

R : I was super happy and I was assigned to the CEFE, so it was definitely different. As an instructor, it’s not the same thing at all, because I was on the other side. We used to give the course to soldiers from different countries such as the Netherlands, Suriname, but there were also officer cadets from St. Cyr who came to spend their training period in Guyana. To this day there are officers, captains most of the time, who say hello to me and tell me that “aah it was you who terrified us at the CEFE?” It was an unforgettable experience.

Following that Raf returned to France, we talked about which regiments he wanted to join and why, and where he ended up in the end. Stay tuned for the second part of the interview… (By Aron. October 29, 2021).

Part 1 - Interview with a sergeant of the French Foreign Legion | Legionstories | French Foreign Legion Stories & Info

Dating Advice for Introverts.

Hello fellow introverts! If you’re looking for some dating advice for introverts, you’ve come to the right place. I am a dating and relationship blogger and had to navigate the dating world as an introvert myself.

Why Dating Is Hard For Introverts?

Do you…

-Hate small talk?

-Struggle to connect with new people?

-Find it difficult to pretend to like someone?

-Find it difficult to pretend to be interested in a conversation?

Basically dating is an introvert’s worst nightmare.

I was inpired to write this post after reading a well-intentioned yet “not the best advice” article on the Quiet Revolution. I am going to use the article as a starting point to give you actual advice that you can take with you into the dating world if you’re an introvert.

All the quotes in my post are from that article if you want to check out the source in context.

Dating Is A Numbers Game.

I used to have a friend who’d say, “Dating is nothing but a numbers game.” She believed that going on more dates was equivalent to a higher likelihood of falling in love. It might sound pretty reasonable when you first hear it except for the fact that it’s utter bullshit. I should know. It took me years of dating before I finally started ignoring this type of “practical” advice.

It might be bullshit in the sense that it “sucks” but dating is a numbers game – this is a fact not an opinion. The more people you meet, the higher the chances you’ll find someone that you really connect with.

Look at it the other way. If you decided to only go on one date for your whole life, do you think that one person would be “the one”? Probably not… it’s happened before, I know but the chances of that are slim. 

The article also mentions that if you want to only go on one date every three months, that’s totally fine.

Yes, it’s “totally fine” but you’re seriously lowering the chances of finding someone you connect with. One date every three months is only four dates in a whole year. Again, the numbers are against you here, don’t forget that.

It takes the average person YEARS to find a partner, why would you want to make this process any slower than it already is?

I’m trying to get you up and out of the dating scene here, not stuck in it forever. 

Why You Struggle With Dating. 

I know, most of us do – and yes, it is even harder when you are introverted as I mentioned above.

For introverts, first dates are minefields of small talk and mindless chatter. After jumping through the hoops of answering questions such as “where are you from? do you like your job? how many siblings do you have? if a tree falls in the forest and there’s no one to hear it, would this date be just as bad?”

Dating is a numbers game but it’s a “self care” game first and foremost. You need to be sure that you’re in the right mental state when going out in the dating world.

If you really don’t want to go on a date, then don’t go. If you have a negative mindset going in, the date is going to be a lot harder to get through and you’re not going to have any fun. 

It’s a lot more productive to adjust your mindset so that you set yourself up for success.

The first step is to stop telling yourself “I suck at dating” or “dating sucks” because that is surely setting you up for failure.

“You get to meet complete strangers (not always our strongest suit), who will then subject you to a barrage of intensely personal questions and judge you! “

This is a negative mindset. If you just think “he’s judging me” then you’re not really understanding what dating is about. If he’s out there dating, it means that he is also looking for someone to connect with.  He is out there trying to find a best friend, a partner.

Instead of thinking that he´s judging you, think that he’s interested in you. He wants to get to know you. It’s nice when people find us interesting! This is a good feeling, not negative.

The two of you are in this date together. It’s not about him “judging you”, it’s about seeing if the two of you get along and if you dig each other’s vibe. If it turns out it’s not working, then move on, there are plenty of fish in the sea. 

Look at every date as an “opportunity” because that’s what it really is.

He’s probably an introvert too.

The percentage of introverts vs extroverts is very even, it’s about 50/50 although the exact statistics vary. The chances that the person sitting across from you “judging you” is also an introvert is REALLY HIGH. He probably totally understands where you’re coming from.

This is especially true if you guys met online and got a feel for his lifestyle and interests before meeting up. If his interests weren’t “I like to party hard every weekend and shotgun beers until it comes out my nose” and were more like “I enjoy reading books and working out alone” then it’s really likely he’s probably introverted just like you.

Take comfort in knowing that he probably hates this as much as you do and is probably just as nervous as you are.

You’re both in the same boat here, it’s not a competition, it’s a partnership – even if it’s just for an hour or two.

Introvert Friendly Dates.

Rather than cancelling on dates or bailing last minute – plan dates that are introvert friendly.

I did this a lot when I was dating and it was the best.  It was the difference between drowning in a conversation that I didn’t care about for hours, and getting home in time to catch up on Youtube videos. It also allowed me to stick with the dating game for a lot longer before getting burned out and having to take a break.

Remember I’m an introvert too so going out on lots of dates wasn’t exactly my pass-time of choice, yet I knew that I didn’t want to be single forever. I knew that it was important to make this a priority in my life so as to not have to date anymore.

So, what’s an introvert friendly date?

Dates that involve some kind of distraction and have a limited time frame. Dinner and a movie is a GREAT first date for an introvert. You can be distracted by the meal and then hit up a movie where you don’t need to talk to each other.

This is better than “going for drinks” because that usually involves just sitting at a bar until God knows when.

It’s also good to do quick weeknight dates so that you guys can meet up after work and both know you’ll need to be home at a reasonable hour. Planning dates with a clear “end” is a lifesaver if things are not going well.

Avoid dates on the weekend like going to the beach, going for a picnic or a hike. These dates involve a lot of one on one talking time with no escape if you’re not having fun. It’s really hard to say “ok I have to go home now” or some other awkward excuse to peace out.

Giving dates an end time yourself is also a great idea, i’ve done this many times. One time I went skating with a date in the afternoon and told him I had to be home for a family dinner by 4pm. Clear end, easy to peace out after about an hour and a half. Oh yeah and there wasn’t really a family dinner.

Being introverted is not a weakness, it’s a personality trait and there is no reason for this to be holding you back from finding love. Especially when 50% of the guys out there are introverted too.

Being an introvert in the dating world can definitely be challenging but instead of hating the game, change the game so that it works for you. 

How To Attract A Man That Is High Quality.

I hope you found this article helpful but it does you know good if you’re not attracting High-Quality Men… (By Lana Otoya).

Dating Advice for Introverts - Millennialships Dating