It will be appreciated that there are different grades of ‘nervous’ suffering. Countless people have ‘bad nerves’ and many of them, although distressed, continue at their work and cannot be said to suffer from nervous breakdown. Indeed, while they readily admit to having ‘bad nerves’, they would indignantly refute any suggestion of breakdown. And yet a nervous breakdown is no more than an intensification of their symptoms. Although this book is concerned mainly with the development and treatment of nervous breakdown, almost every symptom complained of by people with ‘bad nerves’ will be found here, and such people will recognise themselves again and again in the patients with breakdown described in the following chapters. The symptoms are the same, but it is their severity that varies.

Where do ‘bad nerves’ end and where does nervous breakdown begin? By nervous breakdown we mean a state in which a person’s ‘nervous’ symptoms are so intense that he copes inadequately with his daily work or does not cope at all. Doctors are asked if people really ‘break’, and if so, how? We are also asked how a nervous breakdown begins and develops.

Many people are tricked into breakdown. A sudden or prolonged state of stress may sensitise adrenaline-releasing nerves to produce the symptoms of stress in an exaggerated, alarming way. This state of sensitisation is well known to doctors, but so little known to people generally that, when first experienced, it may bewilder and dupe its victim into becoming afraid of it. If asked to pinpoint the beginning of a nervous breakdown, I would say that it is at the moment when a sensitised person becomes afraid of the sensations produced by severe stress and so places himself in a cycle of fear-adrenaline-fear. In response to his fear, more adrenaline is released and his already sensitised body is thus stimulated to produce even more and more intense sensations, which inspire more fear. This is the fear-adrenaline-fear cycle.

Most breakdowns are of two main types. One is relatively straightforward and its victim is mainly concerned with the distressing sensations brought by his sensitised nerves. In such people, nerves may be suddenly sensitised by the stress of some shock, such as an exhausting surgical operation, a severe haemorrhage, an accident, a difficult confinement; or, sensitisation may come more gradually following a debilitating illness, anaemia, or too strenuous dieting. This person is often happy in his domestic life and work; indeed, he may have no great problem other than his inability, because of his breakdown, to cope with his normal responsibilities.

The second type of breakdown is begun by some overwhelming problem, conflict, sorrow, guilt or disgrace. The stress of prolonged, fearful introspection gradually sensitises nerves to react more and more intensely to the anxious introspection, until bewilderment and fear of the strange feelings sensitisation brings, even of the strange thoughts it may bring, become as much part of the suffering as the original problem, conflict, sorrow, guilt or disgrace. Indeed, it may eventually be the main concern.

This book looks at how to prevent, cope and deal with both types of breakdown.

Synopsis
Essential guide for everything you need to know to keep relaxed through every day life Repackage of the phenomenally successful guide to dealing with nervous illness -- Self Help for Your Nerves. This guide offers the most comprehensive insight and advice into coping with nervous stress. Sufferers of nervous illness regard Self Help for Your Nerves as their bible -- many believe that if they had found it earlier they would have been saved years of unnecessary suffering. Dr Claire Weekes looks at: How the Nervous System Works What is Nervous Illness Common factors in the development of nervous illness Recurring Nervous Attacks Plus important chapters on depression, sorrow, guilt and disgrace, obsessions, sleeplessness, confidence, loneliness and agoraphobia. The book also shows the Dr Claire Weekes method, a practical programme on learning to take your place among people without fear.

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