Emotional Breakdown: Symptoms, Causes, and Coping

To wreck something is to destroy, ruin, or severely damage it. The ruin or destruction of a vessel in the course of navigation; shipwreck. Usually I keep my emotions in so when I get to a point I’m so pissed, all my emotions come out at once.” — Jo L. “Laughing nervously or like really laughing nonstop at inappropriate moments. To involve in a wreck; hence, to cause to suffer ruin; to balk of success, and bring disaster on.

Grief is a feeling of sadness that is usually caused by intense emotional damage or the loss of a loved one. Grief is a feeling that can engulf one and have an impact on our emotions. Being emotional only becomes a problem when it creates dysfunction in your life.

Emotional Wreckage: 6 Signs and How to Deal With Them

One’s emotional state, particularly when in distress, can significantly influence thought processes and actions. The emotions involved are not limited to just sadness or despair, but can span a broad spectrum including anxiety, fear, anger, or frustration. It appears in the novel ‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower’ by Stephen Chbosky published in 1999. There are also two songs titled ‘Emotional Wreck’ one by Zoë Badwi released in 2010, and one by K. Word Panda provides you with a huge database of English words. Here you’ll get most accurate definitions, close synonyms and antonyms, related words, phrases and questions, rhymes, usage index and more.

  • You might notice that you’re sad or anxious and decide to continue working on a project, or you might even take a break just to pay attention to what you’re experiencing.
  • We provide you with smart reviews, powerful life tips, and productivity hacks along the lines of business, mental health, lifestyle, education, and relationships.
  • For some, cancer treatment may have contributed to this problem by changing the way the brain works.

From Shipwreck to Smooth Sailing: Building Emotional Resilience

Different types of therapy can help improve emotional control. These feelings are often disproportionate to the situation at hand or may arise without any particular cause. Finally, personality disorders, such as borderline personality disorder (BPD), are characterized by longstanding patterns of thought and behavior that are maladaptive and inflexible. These symptoms are so prevalent and severe that they interfere with an individual’s ability to function in their daily life. Similarly, the role of nutrition in mental health is increasingly being recognized.

Not getting enough sleep triggers stress hormones, which may cause feelings of anxiety that may lead to emotional wreckage. Someone who is experiencing emotional wreckage may sometimes have this feeling of emptiness, have different negative thoughts, and be confused and sad. It’s all good to reach out to your loved ones, friends, or support network when you need emotional support. It is very unlikely that they will be able to help you address the trauma, develop better habits, and nurture your emotions back to life in a healthy way. Alcohol, drugs, and unhealthy coping skills only smother the problem for a while.

Things to Do if You Feel Emotional

These are the hidden rocks beneath the surface that we might not even realize we’re hitting until we’re already taking on water. Childhood experiences, past relationships, or traumatic events can all contribute to a state of emotional distress. The content on this website is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional psychological advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Interaction with this website does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. For any mental health issues, please seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional.

You may blame or resent others but do nothing to resolve the matter at hand. When you’re feeling one of these emotions, your body is speaking to you. Hear and heed your body’s wisdom, for if you don’t, you forfeit the right to feel good. Feelings are merely sensations and energies in the body, and when they’re allowed to be and flow as they are, they arise and dissolve naturally and quickly.

Research indicates that almost half of individuals who undergo a traumatic event will experience at least one major depressive episode in their lives. Our psychological well-being plays a pivotal role in our emotional states. As a clinical psychologist, I have worked with numerous clients who find themselves in this emotionally challenging state. Life often presents us with circumstances that can trigger a multitude of emotions, from joy and love to anger and sorrow. 2)    Set a specific designation of time for these Scripture verses to be your focus.

Depression, for example, is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities. These conditions are characterized by emotions that are intense, persistent, and interfere with daily functioning. Experiences with trauma or substantial life changes can precipitate extreme emotional responses. Understanding these types of overwhelming emotions is critical as it is often the first step towards seeking help and managing them effectively. These individuals often lack the emotional bandwidth to handle stressful or triggering situations.

When you feel angry, for example, your thoughts might stay focused on the negative aspect of a situation. You might also experience physiological reactions, like an increase in heart rate. And for that, you will likely need to seek professional help to get this problem under control, heal your wounds, and feel the emotions you should be able to feel. The important thing is that it gives you a break from the many responsibilities trying to drag you in different directions. That helps create space for you to feel your emotions so you can reignite some passion. They stay and will be waiting to surge forward again later on.

Emotional Blackout Symptoms: Recognizing and Coping with Emotional Overwhelm

However, people experiencing mania can be overwhelmed by euphoria. It’s easy to say, “Take time away,” but hard to do in the heat of the moment. If I find myself beginning to anger and I’m not able or quick enough to remove myself from the situation, I try to connect with my mantra. A mantra is just a word or short phrase that helps you become aware of your emotion and not be controlled by it. When you’re strongly connecting with a negative reactive emotion, it’s important to take time away from the person or situation you are reacting to.

This site is not intended to provide, and does not constitute, medical, health, legal, financial or other professional advice. Seeking constant validation from others can be a telltale sign of emotional damage. Individuals may be unable to trust their judgments and often look to others to confirm their worth. Self-reflection creates a sense of awareness and helps you understand what steps to take to make a positive change. Also, do not get yourself too worked up or stressed; always try to find time to rest and relax, as it is very important to the body.

Just because you’ve been emotionally harmed by your experiences in life doesn’t mean you have to stay in that space. Severe depression can smother your emotions to the point of feeling nothing but emptiness, like a black hole that consumes all light that touches it. And because there is so much worry, you may find that you don’t take care of yourself emotionally. You may find it difficult to allow yourself to be vulnerable from the pain of your partner’s actions.

However, there are times when events or circumstances overwhelm us to the point where we’re an emotional wreck. When you’re in love with someone, the thought of them leaving you is painful. Engaging emotionally only in ‘safe’ contexts, like with pets or in superficial relationships, can protect oneself from deeper, more vulnerable interactions. This selective investment keeps meaningful connections at bay, reducing the risk of emotional pain. When you are feeling like an emotional emotional wreck meaning wreck, try to find people who you can trust and share your thoughts with.

  • Similarly, the role of nutrition in mental health is increasingly being recognized.
  • When one is in a state of being an “emotional wreck”, their ability to regulate their emotions effectively is often impaired, leading to functional and social difficulties.
  • Let them know how you feel so that they can offer you emotional support to help you navigate the challenging period.
  • Difficulty managing your emotions may be a sign of an underlying mental health issue, like anxiety or depression.
  • Don’t ever allow yourself to think your emotions are “wrong.” The mindset that emotions are classified as wrong will broaden dishonest conversations and increase negativity.
  • Or, you might write in a journal to help you make sense of things.

Signs You Are Emotionally Overwhelmed

Poor diet or consuming foods that have no nutritional value can also result in emotional wreckage in a person. For instance, when our food does not contain the essential vitamins that our body needs, it affects the overall functionality of the body. Grief can also lead to an emotional meltdown as the person may continually cry and sigh deeply, which can cause headaches and affect the mental health of someone.

This will help a lot and get you to the root of the problem and a solution. First of all, people who are experiencing grief may become angry because they are furious about their loss and they feel that such a loss is unfair to them. Sometimes, it’s helpful to proactively shift your emotional state.

Jack Nollan is a mental health writer of 10 years who pairs lived experience with evidence-based information to provide perspectives from the side of the mental health consumer. Jack has lived with Bipolar Disorder and Bipolar-depression for almost 30 years. Jack is an activist who is passionate about helping disadvantaged people find a better path. Trauma and unresolved past experiences can also play a significant role in creating emotional havoc.

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