Stress is part of our everyday life. Technically, it is a feeling engendered by any of the various stressors. Stress may be induced by another person, by an object that gives rise to anxiety, and by a dreaded situation. Anything that makes us feel threatened is a stressor and a source of stress.

The most common source of stress is work. Someone who has to deal with constant deadlines is usually stressed out. Lack of work when someone wishes and needs to be employed is also another cause of stress. Tragic events like the loss of a loved one or a natural calamity, moreover, can also lead to stress. Poverty is also a source of powerful stress; someone who has no money to provide for his and his family's basic needs is subject to a lot of stress.

Everyone feels stress. However, the amount of stress experienced varies from one person to another. Different events carry varying degrees of stress. Getting stuck in traffic, for instance, may be deemed less stressful than being in the frontline in a war. The frequency of stress exposure, moreover, also varies from one person to another. Someone who works in a library, for instance, usually has less exposure to unremitting stress than someone who works in an oil drilling operation.

Everybody also has a mechanism for dealing with stress. However, personal mechanisms for coping with stress vary in effectiveness. Some people deal with stress more ably than other people.

Due to the differences in amount of stress experienced, the frequency of stress exposure and individual stress-coping mechanisms, stress affects people differently. For some people, stress may be no more than routine and stress may bring a bad day or two – no more, no less. In some people's case, however, stress may have a very different effect. Some people who are unable to cope with a sudden, grave or constant stress may suddenly ‘snap’ and suffer from a nervous breakdown.

A nervous breakdown is therefore generally caused by stress; the source, frequency of exposure, and amount of stress that can bring on a nervous breakdown varies from one person to another. In any case, the effect is generally the same – the person who has a breakdown usually loses his control over his emotions, thoughts and behavior.

Nervous breakdowns lead to changes in the body, changes in the emotional and mental state, and deviations from normal behavior.

During the course of nervous breakdown, the person experiences tremendous changes in his body. The effects of nervous breakdown in the body are really devastating.

Right before the onset of total collapse, the body is in a state of constant agitation. This state entails other physiological effects including dizziness or nausea, a tightness in the chest and shortness of breath, elevated blood pressure, increased heart rate, and hot flushes.

If this state of constant agitation is prolonged or left unchecked, nervous breakdown will occur. Specific body organs will be worn out. Thus, someone who has broken down typically feels very fatigued or exhausted. He feels depleted of energy so he has no inclination to move or do anything but sit or lie down in one place.

The nervous breakdown (actually the process leading to the actual breakdown) can also lead to heart disease; before total breakdown, the heart has been pumping blood at a faster rate than normal. When the body was trying to deal with the stress, a high blood pressure was required. Prolonged periods of high blood pressure can lead to arteriosclerosis or hardened arteries. Other complications of sustained high blood pressure are organ damage such as kidney damage, eye damage and brain damage, among other things.

Technically speaking, nervous breakdown is a symptom of mental and anxiety disorders. For instance, a depression disorder may present itself through a nervous breakdown. A psychotic disorder may also do the same. Nevertheless, nervous breakdowns (especially the process leading up to the breakdown) also have their own effect on a person's mental state.

The state of constant agitation, anxiety or distress that ultimately leads to a breakdown has negative effects on a person's mental health. A person so afflicted will have difficulty focusing on work and other pressing concerns. He will also have difficulty in analyzing information and making decisions. He will also be unable to make sound decisions for his judgment will be impaired.

As a result of these, the problem that caused the stress and chronic anxiety may get worse. Due to the person's inability to focus, make decisions and make sound judgment, he may lose his job, his family and the respect of other people. He will also become frustrated with himself, his self-esteem will suffer and he may become depressed or angry. He may try to suppress these feelings, and by so doing he will exacerbate the problem and accelerate his slide to total breakdown.

After total breakdown, a person will have no motivation to engage in all activities that he used to enjoy before his breakdown. Negative feelings like guilt, shame, frustration, and even terror will reign. He may even manifest psychotic symptoms. He may hear voices in his head and see things that other people cannot see.

As a result of the changes in mental state, the person will also exhibit deviations from normal behavior. Someone who is normally peaceful may have temper tantrums and show excessive rage and aggression. He may become violent, suicidal and destructive. In some cases, a person may simply become catatonic and immobile. He may also exhibit changes in speech; he may stutter or talk incoherently.

By TTS Holistic Counselor Mehdi Jaffari

By TTS Cofounder Botanical Chef Omid Jaffari