WHEN Louise Thompson shared her mental breakdown on social media earlier this week, her extremely honest video shocked many of her fans who believed the reality TV star was on the verge of recovery.
Louise, 32, spoke openly about her battle with PTSD and postpartum anxiety after the traumatic birth of her son Leo last year in which she had two very close brushes with death.
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But last week, the star took an extreme turn for the worse and took to Instagram to share news of a ‘catastrophic crash’ in which she admitted she ‘wanted to die in a big way’.
The former Made In Chelsea star spent the day with her partner Ryan Libbey and six-month-old son and then visited her good friend Rosie Fortescue before returning home to have what she describes as a ‘mental breakdown’.
She said: “And then I had an absolutely catastrophic collapse from NOWHERE. It’s like my brain thought I’m full of dying again.
“Could not think straight or function for 40 minutes. Absolutely scary.
“Do not literally think I was provoked by anything I had to take away myself, because I do not like to lower the mood for Ryan or others and then I got some pictures of myself as a child in my bedroom and I started shout ‘why .should it happen to me who feels so angry and sad for my innocent vulnerable self.’
She added: “My new anti-depressant is pretty good for sleep, so I take it in the evening and it has at least helped me go to sleep and recover to start today as a fresh new day, but WOW if I get stuck in those moments I want to DIE in a big way. ‘
“I honestly do not even have words to explain the suffering.”
Aside from sparking a lot of concern for the star, the post also saw fans ask what caused Louise’s sudden turn.
LifeWeeling Coach for Online Wellness Platform ResultsWellnessLifestyle.com, Jeff Spires, said: “First, it’s important to say how sad it is to see poor Louise continue to struggle with her mental health.
“‘Mental breakdown’ is not a specific diagnosis for a mental health disorder.
“However, the term is widely used by the general public to describe extreme feelings of mixed anxiety and depressive moods that lead to an overwhelming sense of inability to function. It can also be referred to as a ‘nervous breakdown’. “
Jeff, who is also an NLP Master Practitioner, explained: “What happens when we have a ‘mental breakdown’ is extremely overwhelming.
“The individual is going through a sudden and intense period of mental distress or illness.
“Not only can those who suffer from a collapse feel that they cannot function, they can also feel scared and out of control of their body and their emotional state.
“While it may feel as if a spiritual collapse is coming ‘from nowhere’, there are usually many factors that have built up over time – what causes it.
Causes and triggers of ‘mental breakdowns’
Jeff says: “Many of us deal with stress or sadness in our lives, but some of us experience it more than others and have different abilities to deal with it when they do.
“When people experience a ‘mental breakdown’, they usually have some great emotional tension that they are dealing with in the background and it can take a little extra stress or moment to cause sudden overwhelm.”
He adds: “This state of panic sends the person into an extreme state of fear, sadness and stress and can affect the person physically and emotionally, with symptoms as extreme as feelings of nausea, tremor, inability to breathe. and inability to move.
“And it is for this reason that it is referred to as a collapse – a period in which we simply cannot cope.
Causes of a mental breakdown can include the following:
A recent injury or illness that has changed daily
A recent traumatic event, such as a death in the family or a great emotional experience
Persistent stress in life
Relationship changes: eg divorce, family breakdown
Financial stress, e.g. debt
Experience of violence
Any major life changes
job loss
lack of sleep
Loneliness / lack of a support system
How to prevent a ‘mental collapse’‘
Jeff says: “If you believe that you or someone close to you may be prone to a mental breakdown, the first thing to say is that you should make an appointment with a primary care professional or mental health worker.
“Apart from professional help, there are lifestyle interventions that can help reduce your chances of a mental breakdown.”
deep breathing
Slow rhythmic breathing has been shown to be one of the most effective ways to control stress, overwhelm and general mental well-being.
When we learn simple breathing techniques, we can reduce the activation of our fear response system and calm the brain and body within a matter of seconds.
This simple breathing work allows you to regain control of your thoughts and emotions and, when practiced regularly, can help keep underlying stress and emotion in check.
The 4-1-1 technique
Inhale slowly for four seconds, inhaling deeply into your stomach.
Hold for one second.
Exhale slowly for four seconds, releasing any tension in your body.
Pause for one second and repeat.
Exercise regularly
Regular exercise has been shown to help reduce stress, while also releasing a number of ‘happy hormones’ that stimulate positive emotions.
Regular physical activity can be anything from walking and cycling, to dancing, weight lifting, home workouts or yoga.
Eat whole foods
Your diet can really help reduce your feelings of stress and anxiety.
Try to switch to a diet that includes lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds and lean proteins.
sleep
A lack of sleep can be a trigger for those of us who are already struggling with underlying stress and trauma.
Try to prioritize sleep as much as possible.
Start by developing a bedtime routine that promotes sleep.
Turning off lights, turning off appliances, reading a book, stretching the body, burning a candle and just going to bed earlier can all help you get more rest.
be there
In moments of anxiety and panic, become curious about the things that surround you.
Notice how they look, sound, how people behave, what they say and so on.
This simple technique gives your mind something else to focus on instead of your worry.
When you feel nervous, think of the people you love. How they make you smile and laugh.
The more love and joy you feel, the less anxious you will be.
Share your thoughts
It can be very lonely with anxiety, stress or low mood.
You may feel that no one understands, but the truth is, when you share your concerns with those closest to you, you not only get much-needed support, but expressing your feelings helps you gain perspective and the building stress and stress you have to ‘download’ inside.
Reduce stimulants
Avoid stimulants such as energy drinks and caffeine.
These types of stimulants can cause feelings of anxiety, cause our minds to start racing and contribute to a negative physical response to our emotions.
For more help with stress, anxiety and dealing with mental breakdowns, visit ResultsWellnessLifestyle.com where you can access expert help with mental and physical well-being.
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